This dry spring weather has rather curtailed good river fishing for the time being.  Whilst not yet down to bare bones there really isn't sufficient water to tempt our wild brownies out from the deeper pools into the depleted runs.  The warm sun is producing good fly hatches though and up at the Tarn the other evening I sat and watched a veritable feeding frenzy of rising trout.

The swans now have nine eggs and this must be a near record for this pair.  If they all hatch and survive we shall have a major flock of swans on the tarn come summer.  I think after all these years the cob is getting used to me as he made no attempt to see me off when I approached the nest to check on the eggs.  We still have a couple of golden eye on the Tarn and I can't remember seeing these birds here so late in the season.  Perhaps they will nest as they seem particularly attracted to the wildlife area at the Tarn foot that we will fence next month.

The latest edition of Salmo Trutta, magazine of the Wild Trout Trust is now out.  It's filled with good articles.  Tales of far places interspersed with sage advice about the care and maintenance of wild trout fisheries.  I shall come back to this over the next few days.

Finally, plans are afoot to try to provide some all weather parking down at the bottom gate.  Gavin P has been in earnest negotiation with the National Park planners with the aim of developing a hard standing here that will provide much needed safe parking.  There is a way to go yet before we know the outcome of the application, but fingers crossed.

Ian