Just for a change it's snowing here this morning.  Not heavily, but it is persistent and falling on a frozen ground so it's laying quite quickly.  If this keeps up for any appreciable time as it looks as if it might it may well put paid to tree planting plans for tomorrow.

On Thursday I met the contractor who will plant the thousand tree slips above Turn Dub that have been very generously donated by the Woodland Trust.  We looked at the site and agreed a detailed planting plan that will see the slips planted in pockets following the contours of the site to create a natural drift of trees with open areas where natural shrub regeneration can proceed unchecked.  4 yards above and below each weir will be left unplanted so that fishing the weir pools will be unhindered.  The plan is to begin work tomorrow, but as I say we shall have to see how much snow we get today.

It was good to see members of Council at Horton yesterday for the pre season meeting.  A constructive and convivial discussion resulted in a number of agreed actions principle of which is the agreement to accept the tender for re fencing the wildlife area at the tarn.  This will secure the site from the predations of sheep and cattle and means that we can get some native hard woods planted here tomorrow.  A gate will be installed in the fence to allow access for maintenance and Council has also instructed me to arrange for the replacement of the stiles on the cross walls at the tarn with self closing gates.  This will make the circuit of the Tarn somewhat easier for less mobile members.

Once again we will try to get a more detailed knowledge of where fish are and where they are caught on the river.  To enable this each member who fishes the river will receive a record book which they are encouraged to complete. There is an inducement to complete and return the records this season in the form of a prize draw.  Each book will have a unique number and should that number be drawn out of a hat at the end of season the owner of the winning number will get a significant prize.

Last week the crayfish tank at the old hatchery was drawn down and the resident crayfish checked over.  All are very healthy and the plan is to return these creatures to ark sites in south Yorkshire near to where they were rescued from.  The draw down was not without incident.  A pump was hired locally, set up and set running.  A loud "pop" ensued followed by an invigorating shower of ice cold water as the cap on the filler chamber blew off sending a jet of water several feet into the air. The cap traced a perfect arc and descended into the crayfish tank well beyond reach.  A trip to Settle secured another pump which behaved perfectly ensuring not only tat the residents could be checked over, but also that the wayward cap could be recovered.

Ian