[Mark Zhang]

[Rob Brownfield]

Ben is taking the long way home then! 

[Liam Stephen]

Holy shit! Is this good or bad for the season ahead? 

Liam

[Rob Brownfield]

Holy shit! Is this good or bad for the season ahead? 

Liam

I think it has a bit of both. Good in the sense that many of the kelts will have been washed down the river and back to sea. This means next year we should see more bigger and stronger fish with an extra winters feeding at sea coming back to spawn. Stronger fish should mean successful breeding and certainly more eggs laid.

But, we also have the issue of last years fry, which will be anything from 1 to 2 inches long, will have had a hard time and may not have survived the flooding. There is also the risk of pollutants entering the river system.

I think only time will tell.

[Mike Thornton]

It is often said that a big winter water will "wash out the kelts". However a kelt will only return to the sea when it's metabolism is ready for such a change. ie...the return to a feeding mode in salt water.
With regard to kelts returning to spawn again it is interesting to note scale sampling has shown that, on average, only 2% of a seasons catch consists of second time spawners.
A concern of a big winter spate is the potential of gravel movement,thus resulting in redds being washed out. Fry may also be stranded in puddles left in fields, after the river drops again.

[Mike Barrio]

Didn't get down for a walk today, how's it looking? Falling back a bit hopefully.

Cheers
Mike

[Rob Brownfield]

Didn't get down for a walk today, how's it looking? Falling back a bit hopefully.

Cheers
Mike

According to SEPA, it is on the low side of "normal" at about 0.8 on the mark at Inverurie.

[Mark Zhang]

It's the right level for me now. Hope it doesn't drop too much.

[Ben Dixon]

I'd like another foot off it by next Tuesday!!

Ben