Menu:
November Spawning 2006
 |
Kevin Muir & Erlend Hutchison collecting eggs from the Swannay Burn |
OTFA members made two visits to the Netherbrough burn on 12th and 15th
November. Instead of the traditional nets by torchlight, the Association's
electrofishing equipment was used to catch trout for stripping, after staff
at the Freshwater Lab in Pitlochry advised the Association that the viability
of eggs and milt would be unaffected. It proved to be fairly successful,
especially considering there weren't huge numbers of fish around on either
occasion - the main run may still be to come. As usual, there were plenty
of cock fish, including one ugly brute which would have topped 4lb if in
good condition. A good few hens were around as well, and judging from their
condition, some were fairly fresh up from the loch and not ready to spawn.
However, there were enough ripe fish to fill just over three hatchery trays.
The electrofishing gear made the collecting process fairly easy and possible
in daylight, by drawing the fish out from under cover. This should allow
members to visit the burns at more sociable hours in the future, although
some may think that it's more fun by torchlight! It was also good to see
Raymond Miller, grandson of the OTFA's famous hatchery manager Peter Miller,
getting involved in this important part of the Association's work