Monday 17th September : Getting the equipment together for tonight's netting at Paxton. This is something we have done for the last ten years - hiring a netting station and crew after the end of the netting season to catch Salmon and Sea-trout for tagging. The proportion of the tagged fish then caught upriver by anglers shows the Exploitation Rate of early Autumn fish, which is crucial information. Obviously, a fishery that is catching 50% of a fish stock is in a very different position from one that is catching 5%, and it is vital to know what the Exploitation Rate is. For these mid-September fish, the rate was only 3 or 4% in the 1990's but it is creeping upwards, and is now around 6-8%. Sea-trout rates are much lower, only around 2%. The spate today makes netting marginal - Paxton is best at around 6" of water,but it is 2' 4" at Sprouston, not having reached the bottom of the river yet. The netsman, however, thinks it is just possible and we head off to get there at 17.00. Only get a half dozen shots in, and catch 6 Salmon and two Sea-trout, one of which is the fattest fish I have ever seen - the condition of Sea-trout this year has been exceptional, but this one has over-done it and looks almost unable to swim as it is virtually cylindrical.

Tuesday 18th September : Up to the trap at Tweedsmuir having been informed that there had been a large spate on the burn which had messed things up a bit. It is being left open at present to get the gravel that has built up this summer down through it, but there was so much water it all got overwhelmed, which it was not prepared for. Get it cleaned up and make a couple of minor alterations which had actually planned for today. Back down to Drygrange, a quick turn around and back down to Paxton for netting. Much better conditions this evening, got eight shots of the net in, only one blank. Got nine Salmon and ten Sea-trout, two of which were 70 and 75.5 cms. Given that the 18lb Sea-trout caught at Hendersdye in July 2004 was 79 cms in length, these two fish must have been 12 to 16lbs in weight - and both were in very good condition.

Wednesday 19th September : Up to Walkerburn, with all available hands, to net the river there as part of the continuing efforts to check on the adult trout population of the river. The first attempt not a great success - it does not make for smooth netting to have had an old iron gate chucked in the water - this work should have been done in July, but was not possible then due to the spates and so today's expedition had been organised in a bit of  rush, so no snorkelling pre-netting survey. The second attempt went much better, though still not perfect, and some very good Grayling and a few takeable trout were caught. Two of the Grayling had been previously tagged (during Michael Moore's visit). After a short lunch break, down to Paxton for the exploitation rate netting and tagging. Conditions better but still not great, the water being still "black" after Monday's spate. Got nine Salmon and 18 Sea-trout, (including one of 74cms), making a total of 25 Salmon and 30 Sea-trout for the three days. Not very good, but the spate took all the waiting fish upriver and the bottom of the river had been "emptied"

Thursday 20th September : Out with Steven to do the last two sites for the Ettrick and Yarrow Fry Index survey for the year. In the afternoon, a BBC producer in to discuss a possible "Autumn Watch" live broadcast of spawning Salmon.

Friday 21st September : The weekly staff meeting in the morning, the forthcoming Wheelyboat fund-raising dinner and auction dominating the proceedings. After lunch, down to look at a cauld on the Till with James as a possible site for a fish counter. Could be done, but not particularly straightforward. It wouldn't give a total count as fish can get over the face of the cauld, but knowing more about the species, size range and timing of the fish of the Till would be very useful and, of course, even a partial count would give a minimum population total.