Before one is really able to conserve something, one must have at least an idea of what exactly one is trying to conserve, and how to go about it. With regard to conservation of fish in freshwater, one is obliged to engage in the study of quite a number of things, in order to be able to do this effectively. These things are covered by the term “limnology”.
Continue reading “Conservation – by Mike Connor”Grayling – by Mike Connor
Thymallus thymallus, the European grayling, a fish surrounded by contradictions. Although most definitely a salmonid, as clearly demonstrated by the presence of an adipose fin, in many places classed, and indeed treated more or less as a coarse fish, due to its spawning times. Although many anglers now consider it a worthy quarry, and travel a long way for the opportunity to catch them. Unique among salmonids, grayling spawn in late spring and summer. All other salmonids are autumn and winter spawners.
Continue reading “Grayling – by Mike Connor”Elastic Modulus – by Mike Connor
Thomas Young, an English Doctor and physicist, coined the term “Modulus” in the early 1800´s. The term is used as a constant in equations, as “Young’s Modulus”, to calculate specific properties of certain materials.
In simple terms, it may be seen as a mathematical description of a material’s property of resistance to bending.
Continue reading “Elastic Modulus – by Mike Connor”Wanton Wiggling – by Mike Connor
“Have a wiggle!”. “Go on, have a wiggle”, he said. So I had a wiggle.
Unfortunately, even after wiggling, I was not much wiser than before. Despite the fact that I have handled thousands of rods, and fished and cast with a goodly number, all I get from “wiggling” them in a tackle shop, or indeed anywhere else, is a very rough idea of their unloaded action, whether they are particularly stiff or floppy, and a vague inkling of what they might be able to do.
Continue reading “Wanton Wiggling – by Mike Connor”The Old Man – by Mike Connor
The old man was there again, and he obviously had a good fish on, judging by the bend in his rod. We watched him land the fish with a long handled net from the high bank.
“Looks like another good one for the old man,” my companion remarked, “he certainly does seem to do well over there, hardly anybody else fishes the place, too dark under the trees and very difficult to cast, the high bank is a nuisance as well, he must be good to get fish there.”
Continue reading “The Old Man – by Mike Connor”Changes – by Mike Connor
Rivers and streams change constantly. Gravel and sand shifts, even large rocks are moved in time. Banks are eroded. Floods change the way the river bends and flows. Some features though, seem to be almost permanent from year to year.
When I first saw it, on my first visit to the new water belonging to the club I had just joined, the bush was bare, its branches looked gaunt and naked, and the tangle of roots at its base was also lacking the cloak of weed which would cover them in summer. It was early spring, and a solitary fly hanging forlornly from one of the low branches, gave the lie to my idea that I might have been the first visitor to the water this year.
Continue reading “Changes – by Mike Connor”