I imagine many of you that read the diary have a copy of BB's "The Fisherman's Bedside Book" safely tucked away on your bookshelves. BB captured the best of the best in this inspiring little book that played a major part in my personal angling history always being a guaranteed source of the magic I sought on the bank. The authors of some of the included tales wrote with an ease that transported you to the very bank that gave rise to their epic battles and red letter catches. One such story is titled "One Tail" and is an extract from the Badminton Library, penned by Cholmondeley Pennell recalling his Coarse Fishing adventures. I have mentioned this chapter on previous entries in the diary when looking at extracts from Tizards catches in the estate records back in the 1870's but today it was brought into being in a most graphic sense. The story itself relates how Pennell and his friend Mr Darvall were out on the river with my predecessor Samuel Tizard in one of the small Avon punts in search of pike. On happening upon a veritable monster asleep in the lilies they hatched a dastardly plot to extract the denizen by means of the cunning use of the gaff alone. Suffice to say their scheme came to no good and the destruction of the seat of Tizard's breeks seems but small penalty for such audacity.

The Tizard's Salmon, carved from a hawthorn snag removed from Tizard's Pool, leaping over BB's "The Fisherman's bedside Book"

Old estate maps and early photographs clearly show the boat house that was home to the punt in question but it fell into disrepair and disappeared long ago in the 1930's. Today I had need to visit the section of bank where the old weatherboard boathouse once stood and to my amazement there in a slight depression was the clear out line of an Avon punt. I can well believe this was the very same craft that supported the floating protagonists as they drifted into position to hatch their foul plot against the sleeping adversary. Now but a rusty iron lined gunwale topping the rotting, moss covered timbers standing six inches clear of the surrounding soil. The slight depression was the old boathouse bay, long since silted up and hidden beneath a gnarled crack willow, grown tall and dying back since that craft last took to the water.

First glimpsed on the snowdrop covered bank can clearly be seen as the gunwale of an Avon punt.

The date of the adventure I can't be sure of, a clue in that Tizard died in 1928 at the age of eighty four and is buried in a churchyard but a mile from the site of his punt. The pool that carries his name is but one hundred metres away providing a safe haven for his ghost who now fishes from the boulder revetment I secured the bank with a decade ago. Diaries and records have him as Lord Normanton's Fisherman in the 1870's which would suggest a time well before the First World War. It could be fifty years prior to that time but of no real relevance the magic of that tale is simply timeless.

Nothing to fear from the sight of a dead salmon drifting in the weir pool at Ibsley today; just a kelt, hopefully having successfully fertilized his hens eggs, being washed through the system. Nothing to fear perhaps but I find the sight a little sad. I can't explain why as its as natural a part of the cycle of life and death as could ever be seen in the river. Possibly the once magnificent fish now a pale and washed out ghost of his former self seems harsh? It may simply be the unnaturally inverted head and wall eye where once there was a silver bar of pent up energy driven with a single objective. What ever the reason the sight of him going round and round in the weir pool eddy did nothing to lift the spirits this morning.

The redd count locally was much as expected, struggling into double figures, with the fish hopefully having run through the lower and middle reaches on the well timed flood we enjoyed. The Dockens was too low to allow the fish to run into the forest so the main channel redds at the confluence were well occupied. The second low flow winter in succession to see the fish fail to reach the forest. How many such low flow winters before any distinct forest gene is lost? Three, four and we will not have seen a fish enter the forest for the full span of the generations. The once prolific Linford stream and Hucklesbrook no longer have a spawning salmon population it looks as if the Dockens might be next. A local farmer who has lived on the banks of these stream his entire life told me tales of standing and watching processions of huge fish rushing up the Hucklesbrook and into the forest every Boxing Day as regular as clockwork. Across the concrete fords that mark the forest roads and up to the Latchmoor. "Where your fish boy?" "What you done wiv um all?" Good questions, we're no nearer having an explanation today than we were twenty years ago.

That's why I feel sad at the sight of that salmon!

I've not a great deal of news from the river so I thought I'd just put up a photo of the recently flooded marsh. I dropped the boards into place a week ago and whilst a struggle we have managed to raise the water level sufficiently to give the impression of a marsh. It might not be the most wonderful looking example of a flooded valley but the ducks and geese seem happy to see it and have arrived in good numbers.

The marsh at Hucklesbrook with several hundred geese and even greater numbers of duck. Two Peregrines were worrying the Teal, until a Lapwing that obviously wasn't paying attention was killed by the female that settled in the open field to eat her meal. Snipe, Heron, Pied wagtails by the dozen, it was good to see one small area of the valley looking as it should.

A fragment of fishing news. I did bump into one of our regulars, Kevin Silcott, earlier in the week who had just landed a big five and a six pounds seven ounce chub. What he went on to land that session I don't know but he did tell me it was his seventh chub over six pounds in recent weeks from that particular area of the estate, which ever way you look at it, that is good chub fishing. He had also managed two perch of two and a half pounds but had a suspicion they may have been the same fish as they looked so alike, still, one of those would have pleased me.

Yesterday, on my return from Glastonbury, I had to immediately rush out and do a WeBS count. Not the usual early start before dawn but I hoped to count the evening flights to roost. I had a further complication in that some of the shallow margins which had not seen the sun were still frozen from the hard frost the night before. The count was reasonably good but at the back of my mind I had the nagging doubt that in some cases the birds I was seeing would have been counted elsewhere in the valley. This is why we add our times to the online data collection site to enable those who collate the final figures the opportunity to filter out any such duplications. The other factor that minimises any errors are the frequency of the counts, we soon get to know how many of any species we are likely to see and any peaks or troughs can be allowed for. One family of birds that currently has an extremely high peak does not need any error factors included. The swans in the valley have decided to join us big time with over two hundred and fifty Mute, six Bewicks, two Black swans and the Whooper. For anyone wishing to see them the Bewicks and the Whooper are usually with the Mutes at Harbridge and the Black swans up in the Bickton weir pool.

If you think you have a swan problem there are over two hundred in this field with a further fity seven birds in their territories spread throughout the estate. The Whooper can usually be seen just beyond the first gate along Churchfield Lane, turn right 100m past Harbridge Church, usually eating or preening. The Bewicks tend to be further out in the field, four adults, two juveniles and the pair of Black swans are up in the Bickton weir pool easily seen from the public footpath.

I've been away for a day or two chasing Starlings about on the Somerset levels again. A most enjoyable time, even if I'm getting a little too old to be under canvas at minus four degrees as we endured Friday night. We did see an incredible number of Starlings but the hawks and harriers necessary to encourage the murmurations that provide the amazing displays failed to materialise. Coincidently what I did notice were the number of anglers out on the banks of the River Brue and some of the large rhynes. The expectations are not perhaps those that fish the Avon, small roach, perch and bream by our class certainly but bites non the less and what appears to be a healthy head of fish, certainly in most of the old workings. Its been a long time since I have watched clouds of fry spraying into the air as they were chased by shoals of perch on such a scale as I watched Friday evening at Shapwick. The state of our river and the concerns of those that feel so passionately about it were to the forefront last week with the CAC general meeting held at Somerley.

The mysterious Tor at Glastonbury overlooking the nature reserves of the Somerset levels. An early start before the swans were up and if you look closely you can see a fraction of the countless numbers of Starlings that stream in over the Tor in the evenings and leave just after first light.

Answering the questions raised from the floor of the meeting is an unenviable task for the committee but it does provide a focus for further attention. As a bystander at the back I must say I, almost, enjoyed the meeting, its always interesting to hear the views of those that feel so passionately; even if it subsequently transpires, in my role of river manager, I am personally responsible for most of what ails the entire Avon. It added a little tension to the meeting to be accused of being responsible for this years marginal weed growth (Apium nodiflorum - I'll say no more) the number of Cormorants and the increase in otters. Oh if only I had such powers but alas I can't lay claim to such influence. To believe myself, the club or any one else for that matter, should be responsible for cutting the marginal growth under such a flow regime for a personally perceived fishery benefit shows a remarkable lack of understanding of natural safety mechanisms. The committee did kindly allow me the opportunity to speak and dispel one or two myths surrounding the state of the river. Whilst I agree with some of the raised issues, elements of the fish population within the Avon, Roach, Salmon, Dace strugggling but equally others are buoyant in some areas and missing in others. Chub as an example in number and weights certainly surpassing anything I have witnessed on the Avon since I first fished the White Horse waters back in 1964. It isn't a problem unique to The Avon, rivers across the land are suffering population imbalances. Certainly from the estate's point of view if individual angler wish to clear themselves a swim , feel free. I should caution that the club must be happy with such arrangements and any cutting is done sympathetically and in accordance with all land drainage and conservation statutory requirements. I would also point out that the cover provided by the marginal growth this summer has given sanctuary to a large proportion of the fish population when they have been exposed to such low, clear water.

As for Cormorants and Goosander the fish have been exposed to, you cannot encourage people to break the law; who's counting, who's going to know, I can't count, shoot em, shoot em all, shoot the buggers. I despair, its all been tried before and all it does is show the angling fraternity is incapable of providing factually based argument to support their justified claims. I would also respectfully suggest that some one just might be counting and some one just might know, especially when we have police officers who are equally supportive and passionate about the river and one just happened to be sat next to me during that meeting. With a local coastal population in the region of 800 birds, able to move inland to occupy any vacant habitat, that illegal route will be along haul. The limited number that are licensed for culling has no appreciable impact when confronted with the numbers we see on the Avon. Change will only occur when the habitat that encourages the inland colonisation of Cormorants and Goosander and gives rise to the detrimental impact on the EU designated species within the conservation areas is recognised and removed.

The other aspect that is in urgent need of rectifying is the removal of Cormorants from Schedule 2. Part II of the Wildlife & Countryside Act and the subsequent failure to include it on the General Licence for the control of pests. Chapter 69, Schedule 2. Part II. Listed birds which could be killed or taken by authorised persons, or ‘pest birds’. As far as I can discover Cormorants were removed from Part II in 1992. As it was seen by the EU that Britain had not correctly transposed the Birds Directive into domestic legislation by including them. Unfortunately unlike Crows, Woodpigeons etcetera, Cormorants were never transferred to the General Licence that currently permits the killing of such pest species. Its all a little convoluted but I am still trying to discover how they could have been removed and if my interpretation is in fact correct. If it was not just an arbitrary stroke of the pen that removed them then there must have been a consultation process. If that were the case who represented the interests of the fishery owners and users and what case did they make at the time. I certainly cannot remember being consulted and at that time I was a self employed fishery manager, running Somerley and several other waters, which would have raised my interest had the information come my way. That's my interpretation of how we now have protected species, alien to the valley, devastating SSSI/SAC hence EU designated species in the Avon. All we have to do now is to persuade the EU Environment Commission that the current practice within the valley of attracting species, alien to the local habitat, to a completely artificially created environment, that subsequently adversely impact on EU designated species, is illegal under the Habitats Directive.

Once the EU accepts the illegality of the mentioned goings-on it is for Natural England to implement the removal of the habitat that provides these pests with sanctuary. Unfortunately our Natural England officers feel the creation of a totally alien habitat within and abutting the SSSI can be justified because the Little Ringed Plover, Schedule I protected species, can be encouraged to nest there. No consideration of the fact that Little ringed plovers or the artificial shingle banks they require to nest on are similarly totally alien to the Avon Valley. As I've said before if you were to introduce a diploid brown trout, a naturally occurring species with us, into the river you would risk prosecution under the same legislation, as there is a theoretical belief that they may compete with the EU designated salmon parr. Nothing proven, just a hypothesis, yet the proof of Cormorant and Goosander predation of salmonids is extensive.

I went on to criticise the Angling Trust for the extremely bad science being adopted in their Cormorant survey. Their approach to Cormorants is fundamentally flawed and has the potential to actually work against the case for greater control if demands can been proven to be based on flawed evidence. It will take the professionals arrayed against the angling interests seconds to point out the risk of duplication and lack of coordination and ridicule the entire process. The numbers are known, there is sufficient carefully collected data to support the need for change to the approach currently adopted by Defra, all it needs is the correct levers to set the process in motion. To implement those levers such as examining the EU legislation related to the deliberate damage to an EU designated species and the actions the regulators have taken to minimise such risk. Also the case for compensation if legislation is adversely impacting on the livelihoods of people employed in the fishery world. Compensation is a little more difficult to establish in that the removal from the quarry list as outlined above must have involved consultation with fishery representatives. If those said representatives agreed the removal without raising the question of compensation raising it now will be difficult. This argument also applies to the case for compensation for loss of stock through the protection of otters that are now giving rise to similar concern as they cause such havoc on may fisheries.

Back to the problem of fishery management and the unusual weed growth in such low flows as we have endured this year. Unfortunately its not just this year we are seeing a change in the riverine natural regime that in the last couple of decades has undergone nine or ten of the warmest years since records began. How that can be managed from the fishery perspective to provide conditions more akin to what might be considered normal I have no idea. The management of club or any other river fishery for that matter is a complex process. The subject was raised by those allocating blame for the current state of the Avon and whilst I agree we have population crashes in certain species others seem to be thriving under the new conditions. I similarly agree it can be very frustrating especially for a roach and salmon angler but if you are frustrated as an angler how do you think it feels to have all the other aspects of the river valley in equal disarray. We have to balance the demands of farmers, conservationist, wildfowlers, mineral extraction and water abstraction along with the anglers. As they say it is impossible to please all the people all of the time; broad shoulders are a pre requisite of the job!! Its no good barrack room lawyers jumping up on their hind legs and blaming all and sundry without factual backing and perhaps of more importantly factually based alternatives. Even more frustrating are knee jerk policies adopted by management groups to appease, pacify and mollify such ill founded rants.

What does come as a constant source of amazement to me is that with all the young graduates being turned out from establishments such as Sparsholt into a sector with with a paucity of jobs we do not see groups getting together and forming their own companies to provide a service for the clubs. Not consultancy but hands on - consultants are all too readily found in all walks of life where they recycle your own information and sell it back to you at an exorbitant and grossly inflated price. The services would have to include business plans related to venue objectives. Short term plan - fishery targets, stock, maintenance, access, work program/Mid term stocking policy, conservation objectives. Long term, land management, conservation, stocking, rearing and sales programme. The list is endless and currently being asked of volunteers. There is a wealth of talent out there why aren't they offering the clubs these services? As for any young person thinking such a business would provide them with an unlimited source of fishing - you are in the wrong job! If you can provide the clubs with an attractive plan your time will be well catered for in achieving it. Perhaps the key to financing such a plan would be through the sale of surplus fish stocks on a shared percentage basis with the client. Food for thought for some of the up and coming stars in the fishery world. Unfortunately business plans and computers will play a far greater part in your future that your rods but it would be an interesting way to scratch a living. One word of caution, which shouldn't be necessary if you have the qualities for such a role. The future of angling has to be based on conservation, habitat and environment. Angling has to fit in with the wider requirements of our riverine environment the narrow blinkered approach is no longer acceptable.

The sunset at Ellingham is half a mile upstream of the sunrise I included yesterday. It was on the shallows in the photograph I bumped into Ron Davy who had caught six Grayling and three trout on the fly. The presence of Grayling would seem to belie any water quality problems. If that is the case what element of the missing species - salmon/roach - lifestyle is involved; food, temperature, flow. Roach don't suffer high seas predation?

A midday entry as I have an AGM to attend this evening being held at Old Somerley over the "rickety" bridge at Ellingham and I'll probably be late home. I cross the bridge most mornings on my way into work and today the scene looked particularly wonderful as a fiery sunrise back lit the mist rising from the river. Definitely good for the sole and a reminder, if ever I need one, of the reason I do my job. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to work in such a an environment and whilst the hidden problems of my job may not be immediately apparent to readers it is such surroundings and atmosphere that compensate.

Sunrise at Ellingham and the view of Harbridge Church across Edward's Pool on a still morning.

We seem to be in the midst of an alien invasion, not I hasten to add - to avoid a mass panic at Ibsley - the Orsen Wells, War of the Worlds type, more your every day feathered variety. We currently have a Dark-eyed Junco up in the Forest and a Ferruginous duck at Blashford. Add the Egyptian geese, mandarin wood ducks, the Spanish sparrow over the other side of the forest, Australian Black swans nesting and I'm not sure if the American Whistling swan Dave Stone slapped a ring on is still up on the Wylye but what we have, for want of a better term, is a right old mix. There's also a Ruddy duck about but I'm a little reluctant to mention that for fear of an further invasion of the Defra navy to cull it. I see Defra have extended the six and a half million pounds of public money funded cull in the belief of total eradication "we will exterminate" sounds familiar? Defra will have to watch their step if they are picking on the poor old Ruddy just because he's a Yank that might be interpreted as institutional racism and we all know where that ends. Thinking ahead I could save the public purse a fortune, I'll just pop the old twelve bore in the truck and go and blast that Yankee Junco and the Spanish sparrow that is giving rise to hybridisation concerns. I wonder how the gathered mass of twitchers would view my public spirited action? "JOKE" Back to the visitors and you will have seen I added the Whooper swan to the list along with the Siberian Bewicks which does make a dull year in the valley, due to lack of water, a little more interesting.

Having fallen across a very minor track we finally got to deal with the oak that I had included in a previous entry. Fairly straight forward, the only complications due to its size and the swampy nature of the ground either side of the track.. I put the photo up to illustrate one of my pet hates in that the blue streaks that can be seen on the cut section result from someone in the dim and distant past having driven cut nails into the tree to support a fence. The dastardly deed probably took place one hundred years ago, as can be seen from the depth within the tree, the tannic acid reacts with the ferrous metal leaving the blue trace in the timber. Why my dislike for the nailing fences and signs to trees, apart from the obvious disfigurement of a living plant, it costs us a great deal of money. The one hundred plus cubic feet of oak has been rendered virtually worthless as no sawmill is willing to purchase a baulk of timber with metal in it as it will take the edge off a valuable band saw blade. (Odd in that I'm metric in almost everything I do, having been trained by the Ordnance Survey that took the decision to go metric in 1966, yet I still think in terms of cubic feet for timber) The first thing any buyer looking at the tree will do is go over the baulk with a small metal detector and an indication of hidden metal will render it only fit for logwood. The moral of this story. Please do not fix your signs and fences to living trees.

The blue stains betray the secret of hidden metal.

I was quiet correct in anticipating a number of fallen trees awaiting my return, there seemed to be timber laying in all directions.. Access being the main priority it wasn't until quite late this afternoon I had the opportunity to head out across the water-meadows to clear branches from one of the hatches that was causing flooding. It was one of those trips that almost didn't happen as I was feeling desperately tired having cleared my way through several large casualties of the storm and the prospect of a soaking if things went awry didn't hold much appeal. As it was the afternoon had high cloud and good light, enough to persuaded me the walk would be a pleasant way to unwind. As the meadows are too wet to drive it did mean carrying the chainsaw over my shoulder for half a mile, having first ensured it was fuelled and oiled as there's nothing more exasperating than having to make a second trip for the sake of an egg cup full of two stroke.

As I crossed the first carrier I almost stumbled over the six Bewicks that are currently in the valley. I changed tack a few degrees to ensure they could see I was not heading in their directions and the stretched necks soon relaxed and resumed their grazing. They were with half a dozen Greylags and a small groups of Mutes all of which had been alarmed at my sudden appearance over the old hump backed bridge yet in a way I am unable to define they were able to decide I did not present a threat. Considering that the geese are still in season and likely to be shot at for a further three weeks allowing me to walk by within fifty metres is peculiar behaviour to say the least. Can they tell the difference between a chainsaw and a shotgun? Frightening thought, perhaps one of those questions best left unanswered.

For readers of a "swanny" nature there is a Whooper up at Harbridge with the main Mute flock. One amongst one hundred and fifty to two hundred Mutes, finding one Whooper may present somewhat of a problem. Just look for what appears to be a thumping great Bewick and that'll probably be him!

Trees down all over the place, unfortunately some are well down the priority list for removal.

Leaving them to their grazing I headed out across the open meadow towards the hatch in need of attention. The far side of the meadow becomes wetter with dense clumps of sedge poking through several shallow pools that lie beside the carrier that forms the border. As I cross the rough ground I usually flush good numbers of Snipe yet today not one. I was wondering where they had disappeared to when around the end of a phragmites bed, two hundred metres further down the carrier, appeared a fine male Hen harrier. The blue grey plumage of his back and wings contrasting with the black tips certainly gives a striking appearance as he quartered the rough ground and sedge pools ten feet above the ground, heading slowly in my direction. He had tacked twice and was still over a hundred metres away when he became aware of my presence and no repeat of the earlier trusting response. An immediate change of direction and a rapid increase in height as he made off eastward, towards the roosts in the Forest. I have frequently seen them quartering these meadows for what I can only believe to be in search of the Snipe. The Snipe's response to his presence is usually to sit tight and use their natural camouflage to outwit him, hence none being prepared to move when I walked the through earlier. Occasionally I find a few tell tale feathers showing the Harrier has his day. Whatever brings him to the valley his presence certainly lifts the day from my perspective of casual observer; I doubt the Snipe look so kindly on his visits.

I've been away from the valley for a day or two and as my year has started with a stubborn head cold I felt a walk in this mornings sunshine might improve my current perspective on life. As my return to work Monday will be to a catalogue of trees to be cleared according to priority and governed by the endurance levels of my back, leaving little time to deal with many riverine issues, I decided to take the lure rod with me. Not a serious pike expedition but a pleasant way to wile away a couple of hours; rod, slung net, plus a box of lures and the artery forceps in the coat pocket. As it was so bright I wasn't expecting action from the off, which proved just so, with little to put a bend in the rod apart from my unerring ability to hit a snag a twenty metres!

I slowly made my way downstream as the valley wildlife came to life, prepared to believe the storms have gone their way and today was a day to catch up on the call of Spring that had been on hold for a few days. Across the river, up on the Park, the harsh croaking of the Ravens whilst down at the heronry primitive, Jurassic screeching as the birds staked claim to this years nest site. The swans are paired off and spitefully defending their territories; woe betide any trespasser from the grazing flocks corralled at various spots throughout the estate. The Geese are noisily calling a they fly in pairs up and down the valley yet the wildfowl on the lakes look a little uncertain of the time of year. Small numbers of duck lazily preening; Pintail, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted, Teal and Wigeon, uncertain whether the winter is over and they should leave for the breeding grounds or to sit tight in the event there is a further freeze-up in the coming months. Water rail and Kingfisher seem a little more certain out enjoying the day as much as I was as an unusual count of eleven Green sandpiper would point to their migration already underway.

Two pike plus the sight of a roebuck swimming the river added to a very enjoyable walk. Roe swim the river as part of his everyday routine to reach the grazing. This is the three legged buck spotted last Spring when the stalkers were with us, benefitting from a mild winter.

A somewhat belated happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to all who may happen upon these ramblings. The last week or two have been a little chaotic hence the lack of entries but with Christmas and new Year behind us and some decent rain swelling the river things seem to be getting back to normal. With today's pace of life the escape afforded by our rivers is becoming ever more important and the protection of their delicate environment ever more crucial so lets hope for a more seasonally recognisable year ahead than that just past.

I'm not sure if its my age or years are actually becoming more unsettled as I get older. We had a cold start to January which was the tail end of the early winter which had arrived in November 09. The six weeks of freezing conditions had locked the water up in the frozen land and the resulting low rivers levels, prior to the salmon spawning in the first week of the year, meant we had more fish than normal cutting in the lower river. With twenty five pairs with us it at least provided the opportunity to have a look at the stock at close quarters. It was extremely encouraging to discover that there were more large three winter fish than I had expected with at least half a dozen fish well in excess of twenty pounds with one particular monster providing a glimpse of by-gone times. A similar tale was told by those that had managed to find fish in the upper river with some exceptionally large fish in evidence.

The cold weather brought us one or two unexpected bonuses in the form of the Waxwing invasion and the flocks of finches that were happy to find our laden bird tables . It is just one of the endless conundrums that Nature presents us with when the cold weather brings us the delight of the birds but is perhaps not in their best interests. We must be content in the knowledge we helped when we could and hope not to see them again leaving the Waxwings safe in their northern latitudes and our more delicate species, Dartfords, Cettis Goldcrests, Kingfishers and the like, safe from the ravages of the snow and ice. We did get a brief respite from the cold through late January and February which produced scenes more recognisable as the Avon in winter. The water spilled into the fields and the wildfowl quickly followed to enjoy the vast new areas of grazing. The wader numbers slowly rose but came to a shuddering halt as the rain ceased and the water returned to the channels.

The salmon season got under way and it was with the memory of those spawning giants filed away within the old cranium the 2011 season seemed to hold the promise of one such fish seizing my fly. It was in mid February whilst we were engaged on the clearing of the derelict willow car at Ibsley that Jim Foster landed the first salmon of the season. From the tail of Ibsley Pool I had a grandstand seat on the opposite bank and time to drive over the bridge to record the event on film. Alas the dream of my denizen was short lived, the rains that did eventually arrive in mid January failed to replenish the groundwater springs under the aquifers of the Plain. The result was the river flow soon dropped to levels that signalled trouble ahead. By mid April the the writing was on the wall that fish were reluctant to run through the lower river. By mid May and the start of the spinning it was all over, a low listless river held very little attraction to the salmon or the salmon angler. Fish continued to creep through and those with the desire to pester them with the shrimp once June arrived still found the odd fish but they were reluctant to chase a fly under such dire conditions. The poor run once more brought up the subject of barriers to passage that have given rise to concerns since at least 1958 when rows about the water abstraction weirs raged in the publications of the time. I'm not sure the removal of the weirs that give rise to barriers would have improved the fishing a great deal. Salmon fishing in a low flow river is never a joyous practice; weed and temperature would remain, reason enough to leave the fish in peace. Should changes such as those introduced on the River Test be introduced on the Lower Avon it would probably be of financial benefit to the fisheries. I'm not sure however it would be the best policy we could introduce if we were serious about protecting Avon salmon; perhaps a subject for the future not a review of the past.

The low flows provided many challenges for all the anglers yet probably resulted in an improvement on the previous season for the large barbel. It was essential to locate the fish if success was to result, many of the swims so popular at normal river flows held few fish and the chuck and chance it approach proved unproductive. For those who took the time to locate the fish rewards were good. They were tightly shoaled in areas of heavy weed and cover, once found they were reluctant to abandon their hideouts offering prolonged periods of actions before they tired and became reluctant to feed. The chub fishing once more continued to be the main stay of the river fishery, amazing catches of fish to high sevens; make the most of them I can't believe they will be with us forever. The autumn has seen the Perch appear from their shadowy pools with the Avon three pounder being a realistic target throughout the fishery and one I hope to see this coming Spring.

The lakes have been as reliable as ever with a string of large carp, tench and bream from the waters throughout the valley. The continued production of these super sized fish has undergone a hiccup in that the impact of a burgeoning otter population is having its inevitable consequences. This will eventually lead to many changes in the way angling is enjoyed by participants and viewed by onlookers. There will be many extremely difficult debates before we all reach a satisfactory state of coexistence, this looks like a very interesting year ahead.

Whilst we see many of the indigenous species of the valley such as our salmon and roach continue to crash. The species associated with the more recently established agricultural regime of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, deemed in need of protection within the conservation designations, Lapwing, Redshank Snipe, etc. similarly decline. What can best be described as the new regime; Gulls, Geese, Goosander and numerous other introductions go from strength to strength. How this equates with the declared intentions of the plethora of conservation designations I have yet to establish; if it comes to that so do many of the people supposedly implementing the legislation.

What can be taken forward in a positive slant on all of this is very hard to say, apart from perhaps an increased biodiversity is deemed desirable in the view of the regulators. It is with very mixed views I watch the progress of the valley as my heart lies with the roach and the salmon but my common sense tells me a we are only part way through the process of change. It is being driven by artificial production of food and acceptance of the changes to our historic regime as the norm. We see our regulatory authority accepting and even promoting the change whilst the regime that was originally intended for protection is quietly forgotten. Do we accept the inevitable and let the changes to the historic regime role over us or do we point out the illogical nature of the process? If we accept this change I have even more difficulty in seeing why it is just anglers that are taxed to the tune of twenty eight million a year only to be considered amongst the also rans.

What will the valley bring us in the coming year to add to today's oak, a sadly elephantine feeling of loss as one of several trees that decided they had had enough of being buffeted in the gusting wind lies grey and crumpled. Or the strangely attractive seat that arrived in the hatches, as a buzzard tried to do a Peregrine impersonation overhead chasing the Starlings like some avian bait ball.

This chocolate box portrayal of our countryside is required to reach the viewing figures demanded by our broadcasters to feed-up the never ending slop we face on our televisions today . The novelty and the bizarre attracts the interest and support of Middle England hence the sponsorship and the air time. The mundane and the basic building blocks of the working environment hold little attraction, it has to be a rare breed or fit snugly on Kate Humbles lap and I don't mean Chris Packham. The development of our natural environment to satisfy voyeuristic urges to peek, poke and photograph seems at odds with a truly natural ecology but alas that seems the future deemed desirable by our regulators.

Not a great deal to write-up but it was good to see the traditional Boxing Day angling trip being upheld in fine fashion with many anglers out on the banks enjoying the mild weather. Results seem to have been variable, I know of two good bags of chub, several good carp with a river fish of over 23 pounds, perch over three and odds and ends of pike but nothing huge that I am aware of. Many of the anglers trotting maggot were plagued by minnows with just odds and ends of grayling, chub, with pleasingly several small roach.

A shot taken through the lens of my polaroids showing two pairs of salmon cutting at Ellingham. The second pair is imemdiately beyond the cutting hen, just below the trailing branches.