Listen to the Song – Little Life Saver – Tommy Ruffe
The complete lyrics are included in the companion book, Our Jewels in the Water, allowing readers to follow every song while learning about Britain’s remarkable freshwater fish.
Enjoying the music?
The companion book Our Jewels in the Water includes the full lyrics, additional stories, exclusive photographs and beautiful illustrations for every species.
Tommy Ruffe
The Life Saver
“When the bigger fish refused to feed, Tommy Ruffe often came quietly to the rescue.”
Species Profile
The Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua) is a small member of the perch family and one of Britain’s most familiar, yet often overlooked, coarse fish. Among generations of match anglers, however, it earned a far more affectionate name—Tommy Ruffe.
Recognisable by its mottled olive-brown body, large eyes and sharp spiny dorsal fin, the Ruffe is perfectly adapted to life on the river and lake bed. It thrives in rivers, canals, reservoirs and stillwaters throughout Britain, feeding mainly on insect larvae, worms, small crustaceans and other tiny creatures that live amongst the gravel and silt.
Although it rarely grows to a large size, Tommy Ruffe has earned a place in angling history far beyond his modest appearance.
Clive’s Match Angler’s Notes
Few fish have divided the opinions of match anglers quite like Tommy Ruffe.
On some days he was the last fish you wanted to see.
On other days, he became your best friend.
Throughout my match fishing career, I have lost count of the number of difficult matches that Tommy Ruffe saved from ending in a blank. When the Roach refused to feed, the Bream disappeared and the Perch simply wouldn’t cooperate, there always seemed to be a few faithful Ruffe willing to oblige.
They never weighed very much individually, but a net full of Ruffe could often rescue a disappointing day and sometimes even lift you several places up the leaderboard.
Every match angler knew the feeling.
The float dipped.
Another tiny bite.
Another Tommy Ruffe.
Not exactly what you had hoped for—but very welcome all the same.
Of course, handling them required a little care. Their sharp dorsal spines had a habit of reminding careless anglers to pay attention, and I expect most of us have been pricked at least once over the years.
Despite that, I could never dislike them.
After all, they had rescued me far too many times.
Natural History
The Ruffe is naturally found in rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs throughout much of Britain and Europe.
It prefers slow-moving or still waters with soft bottoms, where it searches for insect larvae, freshwater shrimp, worms and other tiny invertebrates.
Unlike many coarse fish, Ruffe are often most active during the evening and at night, relying on their highly developed senses to locate food in poor visibility.
During spring, the females lay thousands of eggs amongst submerged vegetation, gravel and woody debris, where they hatch within a matter of days.
Although small, Ruffe form an important part of the freshwater food chain, providing food for Pike, Perch, Zander and many fish-eating birds.
Interesting Facts
- Scientific name: Gymnocephalus cernua.
- Family: Percidae (Perch family).
- Commonly known among anglers as Tommy Ruffe.
- Recognised by its spiny dorsal fin and mottled colouring.
- Prefers rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs.
- Feeds mainly on insect larvae, worms and small crustaceans.
- Often most active during dusk and darkness.
- An important food source for larger predatory fish.
- Current UK rod-caught record: 12 oz (340 g).
Behind the Song
When writing Tommy Ruffe (The Life Saver), I wanted to capture the affection that so many match anglers feel for this little fish.
The song is light-hearted, warm and full of gratitude.
Tommy Ruffe may never become Britain’s most famous fish, but for countless anglers he has quietly come to the rescue when nothing else would bite.
Sometimes the greatest heroes are the ones nobody expects.
Conservation
Although Ruffe remain widespread across much of Britain, they still depend upon healthy freshwater habitats.
Clean water, thriving insect life and well-managed rivers, canals and lakes are essential if future generations are to continue enjoying the species.
Like every fish in our rivers, Tommy Ruffe has an important role to play in maintaining the delicate balance of freshwater ecosystems.
Even the smallest fish deserves our respect.
Clive’s Reflection
Whenever I think about Tommy Ruffe, I don’t remember trophies or record catches.
I remember difficult days.
Cold winds.
Empty keepnets.
Then, almost as if he knew you needed a little encouragement, along came Tommy Ruffe.
He may never have made the headlines.
He never weighed twenty pounds.
He never leapt waterfalls like a Salmon or fought like a Barbel.
But he did something just as important.
He reminded us never to give up.
Sometimes success comes one small step at a time.
That is why, to me, Tommy Ruffe will always be…
The Life Saver.