An Eclipse

This mornings activities in the cosmos ( barely visible through thick mist at Lifton, just a Cheshire Cat smile from the rim of the sun) were eclipsed by Alex and David's endeavours on Beat 13 of the Ottery today. The last major obstruction is now gone, and for anyone who loves small-river fishing the beat is now looking very tempting. Once the mist had cleared, and the moon retreated to its rightful place, songbirds and butterflies revelled in a bit of Spring warmth. If only this nagging north-easterly wind would back to the south-west, the trout would also respond.

Tadpoles are hatching at the lake, and the toads are now spawning there. The Equinox is also upon us, longer days than nights again - pass me the fly rod.

In Like a Lion...

March is living up to its reputation, the first few days being cold, wet and windy, with rivers high and dirty. But now, despite a grey day, signs of spring are everywhere. Hazel catkins are bursting, classic lamb's tails swaying in the breeze, and spring flowers, including the rare parasitic Purple Toothwort, growing on the roots of alder and willow. There was even a fish rising in the tail of Black Doctor pool on the Lyd, although not much of a hatch of fly was seen.

There are rumours of salmon down on the lowest beats, trout fishing opens this weekend, midges are bringing trout to the surface on the lake - where the rooks are building high in the trees. Oh to be in England.