A visit to the Tarn on a gloriously sunny, crisp and cold morning was an ideal way to ease into a Sunday morning. The ice is now receding and three swans are back; mum, dad and a cygnet.  The youngster is now looking almost adult with almost a full complement of white feathers.  Where its two siblings are I know not, but they are now well able to care for themselves so there is every chance that they too have survived the severe winter that we have had here and are somewhere down on the river.

As I approached the water a small flock of goldeneye scuttled away towards the wildlife area.  These little black and white duck are regular visitors to the Tarn and it's good to see them as they are quite rare in the UK.  I have a particular connection with goldeneye as my namesake called his house on Jamaica after this diminutive duck.

So the year turns and once again it's time for the annual Wild Trout Trust on line auction.  There are 203 lots this year up for grabs so why not visit www.wildtrout.org and grab yourself a treat whilst contributing to a very worthy cause that has helped our fishery immensely in the past.

It was good to see two friends on TV last Sunday.  I thought that the piece about Ribble crayfish came across rather well.  It's unlikely to turn Paul and Neil into overnight celebrities, but they got a good message over in a very clear way and the crayfish performed well too.

A winter newsletter is now winging its way to members letterboxes.  Do remember that I put this together twice a year and am always keen to get contributions from members.  Articles in any format will do, even scribbled on the back of a sandwich wrapper whist contemplating the capriciousness of fish on a quiet day by the river.

A more immediate way of sharing your thoughts, questions and ponderings is to put them on the club website.  Once again if you don't fancy getting your hands dirty with writing stuff directly on the site just send it to me and I will sort it for you.

Ian