Is it spring yet?

Oops, just realised that I've done it again and forgotten the blog. Sorry, technology is a new science for me!

There's snow in them thar hills! (S. Marshall)

Things are starting to get busier in the world - and field - of the fisheries trust, as we move ever nearer to summer. Not that you can believe that with the weather. There have been a lot of cold northerlies recently, which hasn't helped with either the fishing or the sampling. Snow melt has a negative effect on both fish movement and biologist enthusiasm! Fingers crossed for an improvement soon though.

Trap in situ (S. Marshall)

In March I attended an excellent RAFTS Conference in Battleby. The perfect chance to network and listen to some very enlightening talks. The themes covered marine issues and building resilience - very apt at the current time and in light of the poor catch returns for 2014. While much of last years poor catch is likely to have been related to the exceptional - for non-anglers! - summer, it is still important to consider all aspects of the fishes life cycle and what we can do to help them thrive.

Salmon heading downstream (S. Marshall)

April was a month of mixed blessing, as the field work started but the snow returned. The trap was installed in Badna Bay, and has proved very successful to date with a good number of salmon smolts captured. There have been less sea trout than salmon this time, but we may well have missed them. The trap was breached for a period, with water going over and round the lead net, which would have allowed the fish to bypass the trap and head to sea. Saying that, there were still a few that went in, so not all fish are sensible!

The net heads out (M. Dawkins)

April also saw the start of the sweep netting, although the rain meant that it was only possible to do the Laxford. The estuary was extremely shallow and we could see the sediment for a long way out. A bit of a waste of time we thought but we had a good number of volunteers present so decided to give it a go anyway. What do we know? We moved a little further down the estuary to find slightly deeper water (mid thigh instead of knee!) and what a sweep it was - 166 sea trout and one wee salmon smolt. Most of the sea trout were smolts, which lends yet more evidence to the feeling that we may have missed the sea trout running out of Badna Bay, although there were a couple of recaptures (one from the trap a few days before).

The net coming in (M. Kinghorn)

If you would like to help with any of the fieldwork then get in touch (wsft@btconnect.com) we're always happy to have people along and an extra pair of hands is well appreciated. Netting dates are posted on the website (www.wsft.co.uk), but worth checking with us to make sure that the weather has been kind.

The Ghillies Seminar was held on 24 April and. while the audience was small, everyone seemed to have a good time. The external speakers kicked off with Billy MacBain from Marine Scotland Compliance, talking about the marine fishery and its regulation. Catherine Collins, Marine Scotland Science, then came in and introduced us to sea lice and sea lice dispersal modelling. It was very interesting to see how far we have come in understanding this issue - and scary at how much we still need to know!

Adding clay to the raft (A. Barnes)

After lunch we had a talk on the American mink and the Scottish Mink Initiative. A very interesting and entertaining talk, the volunteers present were able to find out more about the project and the importance of the work they do. We then finished with a lively, but considered, discussion of the Wild Fisheries Review and the proposed legislation relating to the licencing of the killing of salmon. There was a lot of agreement within the room and it was helpful to get the views of the people on the ground.

In the main, an interesting meeting, well received by all within the room. This meeting also gives the ghillies - many of whom are lone workers - to network amongst themselves and the lunchtime discussions were many. A massive 'thank you' to all of our speakers for their extremely interesting talks and the audience for attending and participating. The notes from the Seminar are available on the website (www.wsft.co.uk).

The Annual Review has also been completed now, and can be downloaded from the website (http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/review%202014.pdf). If you run a holiday home or fishing lodge and would like a hard copy to display then please let me know.

Happy volunteer (M. Kinghorn)

For the last month we have been delighted to have Michael helping with our fieldwork. Michael is a teacher from Switzerland and has been volunteering as part of his sabbatical from work. The extra hand has been gratefully received and we have been able to introduce him to a range of issues and work programmes within the Trust. Not all work though - and he has been able to explore the hills and lochs of the area, usually fishing rod in hand!

As Michael leaves, we will be welcoming Kate's replacement in the form of Adam Beynon-Jones. Adam will be joining the Trust as our new biologist in the middle of May. He comes in good time for the start of the sampling season proper and hopefully will have enough time to settle in before the midges start for real! However, Adam will introduce himself in the next Blog.

We wish everyone tight lines for the season. Remember the 'Alphabet of Scottish Lochs' Challenge - where you try to catch a brown trout from a variety of lochs - and let us know how you get on. Why not buy the Sutherland Trust fly to help you? Available from http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/page17.html