This winter has been widely reported as one of the coldest since records began and may turn out to be the coldest ever if conditions persist in the same vein. That remains to be seen, however we can say that the conditions have been harsh and have hampered access to the river by anglers and River Dee staff. The last fortnight has seen temperatures struggle to reach 1 degree Celsius with over night lows reaching -19 regulary at Braemar ! These prevailing conditions have ensured the scenery looks spectacular.

We have had regular nightly frosts since mid November and snow lying more or less since mid December which has made many comment that it appears to have been a really long winter. It does present real problems in the river valley with road conditions extremely difficult necessitating heavy gritting by the roads department. This will ultimately disperse on the land and river.

The effects of the winter have curtailed some of the radio tracking activities, however we are still monitoring the bankside data from the fixed stations. There has been less coppicing work as a result of the prevailing conditions nor have we been able to carry out Lamprey surveys. It has allowed the River Dee Trust staff to work on reports including bio security and season extension monitoring. The bailiffs have continued to carry out patrols by day and night to ensure the river security is maintained. There has been regular work required by all the staff shovelling the snow away from the River Office tracks and car park. The rod effort has been curtailed by visiting anglers and this has been reflected in the catches. In the interests of safety anglers need to ensure they fish with a companion as there is a danger when wading they could be knocked over by dislodged ice floes drifting silently downstream. It is so important to wear life vests this time of year as a heavy immersion could be fatal to an unwary angler with the river temperature at freezing point. I am sure when Spring arrives it will be quite spectacular-lets hope it arrives with the main spring salmon run.