River conditions improved in most areas but still no report of any new fish.  In fact it seems I have upset an owner or two downriver by trying to inform you of the rivers catches.  It seems if I continue then they might not report catches ever again.  I understand there are poaching problems in some areas, not surprising with so many people with time on their hands I suppose, but I don't think poachers would be reading my blog for information that's for sure.   In any event the poachers probably know more about whats in the river than do the day rods or the owners.   I have a good idea of the catches from down there but I suppose I should not upset them further, though it's a pity others cant' know the facts and what to expect if and when we get a decent rise.
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If they think they have problems with poaching now take a look at these old pictures and the number of fish taken in one night off the Edw and this activity was widespread.  Some have blamed anglers for taking too many fish but as I said before back then there were always plenty to spawn, despite too the legal and illegal netting events on the lower river throughout much of the early part of the year

20 of these salmon in the picture certainly did not spawn.  Apparently the act of kneeling down and showing the soles of your boots were a well known insult in that area.

Gives 'Taking the Knee' a whole new meaning don't you think.  A whole lot of respect to the bailiffs who had to deal with these incidents at the risk of serious injury, and in many cases did suffer the consequences.

This went on right until the late 1990s and saw some of it myself.  The saying was never buy a christmas pig or turkey from the farmers of the  Edw valley it will taste of fish!!   Tried to protect some fish on the Nyth gravels one year but couldn't stay there all night.  Next morning there was a manky salmon in my gateway  suggesting they had been and done the deed anyway and knew I had been there.