Busy Busy Busy

You probably recognise that quote from the great Kurt Vonnegutt, but if not, it just means there's lots of things going, especially on the river.

To start with, we had another very successful work-party today adding lots of deflectors into a formerly rather dull stretch of Beat 3a.

Not a bad morning's work for Andy J, Andy W, David, Dexter, Ian, Keith, Tony, as well as Nigel and me, with cold drinks and doughnuts provided respectively, plus some nice healthy greengages from Keith.

The committe have also held a couple of meetings with outside bodies this week. The first was a school who want to conduct a kick-sampling study by some sixth-formers, and this has been provisionally agreed for a day in June next year, so watch out for news of that next year.

The second was more immediately effective, with the Waterlife Recovery Trust. You may recall that they are the people who want reports of Mink sightings. You're encouraged to report sightings directly to them at https://www.waterliferecoverytrust.org.uk/report-a-sighting/ and please also mention them briefly in your catch returns. It will be particularly useful to monitor sightings, as we now have a few mink traps deployed on the river.

The traps will be regularly checked and have an automatic system for alerting when they have been triggered. Please don't approach them however, and certainly not if they're occupied. If you have concerns about them for any reason, then please contact Stuart.

I suppose the only things not particularly busy are the trout, even though it's easy enough to see them at the moment. Many have tried to tempt them, but with limited success, and my best tip is to get up really early to give them a try. That also has the advantage of being a lovely time to be on the river, and you can get away again before the weather gets too hot.

The clear water has revealed an awful lot of Chub in the river, and they may be slightly more inclined to take a dry fly, which is some consolation. When you do catch a coarse fish, don't dismiss it too readily as a Dace or Chub, especially if it looks a bit odd. It could be a Roach, or even a Rudd or Gudgeon, but look carefully at its mouth, as it might just be a Barbel (see previous blog item). Several small ones have been caught recently, and even more have been spotted (look for the 2 pectoral fins, like a Pike), so it looks like a bumper year for them. We don't count them in the Returns, but it's useful to mention unusual catches in the comments.

Another good use of your time if you do visit the river, is to have a good look at the contours and obstacles and the depth of the river in various places. Particularly handy when you're wading in cloudier waters, and it can also show you where the nymph graveyards are, as well as the fish.

Tight Lines

PeterB