This is a little late due to preparing for a marathon Parish Council meeting which took place last night and which banished all thoughts of the river, Tarn and MAA.

Just finished writing up the minutes and thought I would relax by reflecting on a very constructive MAA Council meeting on Saturday.  This was just as long as last nights effort, but rather more enjoyable.  Council agreed a Tarn stocking plan for next year that will see double he number of brown trout introduced at the start of the season.  It was also agreed to investigate whether it would be possible to do anything to encourage brown trout to breed in the outflow from the Tarn.  There is some evidence that a few fish are already managing to spawn beyond the duck wall so it may be possible to find a way to encourage more to do so.

There is much work currently being done by RCCT to improve habitat on the upper river with fencing work going on at Cam beck and plans for grip blocking above Gayle beck.  Some instream habitat improvement work is also being planned for the new year and further fencing will be done on Gayle beck below Thornes Gill.  This set us thinking about how we could complement the work of RCCT and it was concluded that a trust be set up to channel further money into works that will encourage an increase in trout recruitment on the fishery.  This trust will complement and partner with RCCT and help to take some of the stress off those who are presently making sterling efforts to tackle the problems of the Ribble from its source to the sea.

We are also to investigate the possibility of installing a river height meter at Horton linked to the members web site so that conditions can be understood before you make the long journey up to Horton.

The swans seem well settled on the Tarn now and I'm convinced that the two adults are our two old friends who disappeared last winter.

It's a glorious autumn day here with not a cloud in the sky and a sharp nip in the air.  The river is crystal clear revealing a couple of large brownies who have been feeding on late fly hatch by the big rock opposite the Crown.  They must know that the season has ended and feel no fear.

More next week

Ian