And so it begins.

I have just returned from a pleasant walk around the lakes. The sun is out at last and the whole atmosphere of the place has taken a lift after the rain of this morning. The spring flowers are aglow everywhere and the flowering tree’s are being visited by myriads of bee’s and other pollen loving insects. The cherry tree’s along the dam are covered in a crown of pink flowers and are loved by the honey bee’s who are in such numbers that they create a constant hum that can be heard many yards away. The birds are rather like us in as much they are seldom heard or seen when the rain pours down but suddenly are all around when the sun shows its face and this afternoon the birdsong was a real joy to hear. It is the time of year when the birds are establishing territories and calling to attract a mate so they are more vocal than at any other time of the year. We have a pair of buzzards circling over Poppy’s lake and I have an inkling that they are starting to build a nest in the poplar wood that abuts the far side of the lake. This wood is no more than perhaps 3 acres but has been left relatively undisturbed for many years. The wildlife seem to enjoy the safety of this area and we have had deer, wild boar, badgers and foxes all reside or hunt there at various times. The red squirrels are also there in good numbers so I imagine that the pine martens are also in residence. Yesterday, as we worked along the Home Bank of the main lake, I saw several dragonfly’s which I imagine are feeding on the big hatches of black buzzers that have been around in good numbers recently. It is early days but as the weather begins to turn more spring like we will begin seeing more and more of both dragonfly’s and their smaller cousin the damselfly. Something to look forward to. In the next few weeks the first of our swallows should also put in an appearance after their long flight from Africa. It is so sad that a large number of swallows never survive the long journey so when they first arrive and sweep in and out of their traditional nesting sites in our outbuildings it really is a joy to watch. Lots to look forward to in the days ahead, not least the fishing !

Our first anglers of the new season have arrived and are busily setting up as I write. For us it has been a torrid time in recent weeks, made up of long days of trudging through the mud as we cleared so much wood from the felled or wind blown tree’s. For many weeks now timber has been logged, burnt and chipped just to clear the banks and in some cases to clear the lakes from fallen tree’s. The wettest winter that I can remember meant that the tracks and paths around the land were no more than a quagmire of mud and standing water. Such unpleasant conditions for the tasks that needed doing so all credit to Jimmy in particular who has toiled long and hard to ensure that the fishery is in good shape for opening day. Lottie has also worked tirelessly in recent weeks and the added help that our old mates Chris, Dave and Martin contributed to the cause was very welcome indeed. As you will know, we are having a new shower and toilet facility created in the millhouse and Ian and Martin have done a sterling job on that. Jimmy still has some final work to complete before the new facilities are brought on line but they will be a superb upgrade for the venue. We should be up and running ready for the first anglers after our May shutdown.

The early weeks of the season are the time when we get a good idea on how the carp have over wintered. A mild winter, with a much longer feeding period augers well for good weights in the spring however this needs to be tempered somewhat by the negative effect of a winters netting. First indications gained from the fish that the lads caught last month, whilst they were working with us, are good. This weeks catches will give give us a good indication as to where we are and what we can look forward to as temperatures rise. I will post daily reports on my Facebook page and weekly round ups on this blog so keep an eye out.

Exciting times.