Stillwater salmon fishing in England

 Updated 25/03/11 Here are the kittens coming across their first salmon, they gave it a few licks then disappeared to play with something else. Honey (on the left) has gone from 1lb 12oz to 4lb and Tadpole from 1lb 4oz to 3lb 4oz in 2 months. I wish I could get that growth rate out of the salmon but I'm not so sure that I want to end up with a 45lb cat. 

11/03/11 I have had some enquiries by concerned anglers that there has been no mention of the mermaids and if they are ok. Well I'm pleased to report that they are fine and enjoying the really good clear water conditions in the lake at the moment. Now the sun is coming out you can even find them in the bank. I got this photo by being really quiet and creeping up behind the unsuspecting mermaid.

 13/02/11 I still think there are some of you out there who don't believe there are mermaids (or even salmon) in the lake. So to prove there are mermaids there I sent Al, a friend of a friend down to get some evidence. He is quite a guy in his day job and very brave to go down there in the cold and not knowing what he might find. He did see some salmon which intertestingly were curious and came right up to him, I can't wait to have a go myself as he saw a 30 pounder appear right in front of his mask out of the gloom. And don't be silly, of course he saw the mermaids and took this picture to prove it. Below Tadpole and Honey.

20/01/11 Things are very quiet at present and catches slow but we had two new family members arrive today. They don't even have names yet but the good news is they like a nice bit of fresh salmon in their bowls, unlike our last cat which unbelievably would only eat dry biscuits.  09/01/11 The lake is ice free now and the weather outlook is looking good into the future. The main task is getting the mermaids back into the lake. Like the salmon they do not travel well and keeping their fins in good condition is not easy. A spell at my place without much water plays havoc with their tails which can end up looking like a piece of material. Just look at the state of this one, lets hope she will mend once back in a more natural environment. 

29/12/10 Apologies for the lack of updates but not much is going on at the lake with such cold weather. I've busy moving salmon around the rearing tanks which is really heavy exhausting work but it's all done and the fish are settling into their new homes. The eggs are doing ok and the hatchery is being prepared for fry rearing for my commercial customers. There is also the mermaids to look after when the lake is frozen. I have to find any place I can to house them until the ice has gone, there's not much chance of getting a relaxing bath in this house, here's the reason why.

13/12/10 I'm having trouble with this mermaid thing, the last mermaid wasn't in water but mermaids don't have to be in water all the time. The best time to catch one is to go out at night like I did to come across this one. You have to admit that a mermaid shows a good tail and with those spots she must be a member of the Salmon Family.

10/12/10 Lake is thawing out thank goodness. It was -7C the night before last and to give you an idea of how cold it's been take a look at this photo of the ice block from this dustbin. I think there was a bit of water left in the middle somewhere.

 7/12/10 It's -13.7C out there, according to my electronic thermometer, even the pipes have frozen in the loft. Try growing fish in this, good job salmon is a cold water fish, a true fish of the Ice Ages. At least I managed to get the eggs out of the fish and into the hatchery on Sunday. Here is a picture of some of the hen salmon, notice the reel spool in the middle, the fish on the right weighed 19kg (42lb) and gave 6 litres of eggs. I crossed her with a really nice cock salmon of similar size to give some exciting stock for years to come. I've never done well with eggs in the past but I've made some adjustments so we'll see how we get on. Oh yes, the mermaid. It's been brought to my attention that the mermaid below isn't a real mermaid at all but a picture of a girl in a dress. Well I must have got a bit mixed up somewhere but there really are mermaids at the lake, I took this photo just the other day.  Of course, her most admirable feature is that fantastic tail, which us anglers like to see in any aquatic inhabitant.

1/12/10  With snow on the ground and the lake frozen over there's not much going on  I thought I'd revamp this section and bring it to life. I don't think more pictures of anglers with their fish will lift the spirits, however I'll let you in on a secret, I've spotted mermaids in the lake at Palm Springs. I know you won 't believe me but then a couple of years ago you wouldn't believed 30lb salmon would be caught on a regular basis in Rutland at this time. Furthermore I have photographic evidence, here it is! Ben