Looks like a trout without my specs on?

 

It's not obvious is it. A google and it looks like the forked tail and gill plate spot is the clue in this photo. Assuming the photo (in the BBC article) is of one of the actual Don parr - rather than stock photo of a salmon parr (?)

 

Seeking (absent from the Forum since the onset of COVID) had been monitoring this for a long time but kept his data very firmly under a bushel for fear of disruption. He once observed a redd near Rotherham, while sightings of salmon attempting to go up the weirs in Sheffield were not uncommon. In about 2014 a large salmon was caught by a grayling angler in one of the headwater tributaries. However, the major problem remains the inadequate processing of waste water, especially in low flows and high temperatures. Chris, with Firth and others used to monitor water quality closely.
I do miss Seeking’s intellectual output, even if some members didn’t like his Sheffield pugnacity.

 

Seeking (absent from the Forum since the onset of COVID) had been monitoring this for a long time but kept his data very firmly under a bushel for fear of disruption. He once observed a redd near Rotherham, while sightings of salmon attempting to go up the weirs in Sheffield were not uncommon. In about 2014 a large salmon was caught by a grayling angler in one of the headwater tributaries. However, the major problem remains the inadequate processing of waste water, especially in low flows and high temperatures. Chris, with Firth and others used to monitor water quality closely.
I do miss Seeking’s intellectual output, even if some members didn’t like his Sheffield pugnacity.

At least Mr Firth seems like a reliable source then. As opposed to a Press Release from the (discredited) Environment Agency - which has manipulated and twisted a blob of information, to the extent it is meaningless.

On another subject, having driven across a fairly large chunk of East and North Yorkshire yesterday, would the above 'Seeking' conclude that River Trout fishing in England as a hobby, is no longer a 'viable' proposition? Based on scientific analysis - meteorology.

 

I've met Firth, who is both nice and extremely sensible, and would trust his judgement.

On the other subject, I would concur. I haven't lift a trout rod since mid-June, and even then it was a waste of time. We've had to electro-fish two sections of the river Rye that I manage to rescue the populations. At least the temperatures have moderated, so we're not facing the extreme 2022 problems, but the trend is menacing.

 

Menacing is a good word. I worry if our traditional landscape will be able to withstand being stressed like this. The garden plantings at Scampston seemed to have survived without watering - although a month ahead. But they have a prairie style of garden design, which is becoming appropriate. Box Moth will soon decimate their structural elements; another unwelcome visitor from China.

Cheerful bug*r aren't I !

 

"I do miss Seeking’s intellectual output, even if some members didn’t like his Sheffield pugnacity"

I'm with you there MCX, I met him once at a Hodder Consultative 'Falkus Night' when there was a presentation on from NASCO, very interesting presentation that Seeking engaged with. I know he antagonised some members and rubbed others up with his graphs and quotes of 'Nature's tasty treats' but I liked the guy, very knowledgeable and although sometimes went against the grain he had a passion for Salmon and wasn't afraid to rock the boat. We met that night for first time, I asked how would we recognise each other and he said "don't worry just look and listen for a loud one wearing mole skins with a mouth of gold teeth " I didn't have trouble finding him. We were chatting about the forum and was saying he always gets conflict and negative responses where I said I did not. He said yes but your a nice guy who offers to take fellow anglers fishing and offer help where as he tells people what they don't want to hear. I do miss his input to the forum.