Surprsie, surprise, it’s raining today ……. Again !!!!! A serious amount over the last week or so has been dumped on poor old Wales …. I think there are several flood warnings out in place, which is a huge concern for home owners, shops and businesses. I feel for them, water is so beautiful, and yet so destructive at the same time…..
The River Wye is booming through the town of Rhayader at the moment, great if you’re into extreme kayaking, not so good if you want to try your hand at a bit of winter grayling fishing. Even the effectiveness of the tight line euronymphing would be totally hopeless at the moment. Well, maybe some slack back eddies, or marginal inner meanders, and you may be in luck, but at the minute, it’s looking like the Zambezi !!!! The power of it is incredible, get caught out in that, and you’d struggle if you’re not a strong swimmer, particularly if you’re in waders too !!!! That certainly throws a spanner in the works. Ice cold flood water, waders impeading your movement, the shock effect, and then orientating yourself to getting out !!!! Some folks I know have had close calls. By that I mean the grim reaper was nearly giving them a …. “ High Five “ !!!! That’s to close for comfort for this callsign …… If in doubt play it safe, wait till that spate river is not so “angry”, then give it a bash…. The grayling will still be there, don’t worry about that !!
I must admit, my shooting takes priority in the winter time. The trouble is with so many passions, you have to dedicate time to all of them !!!! The beauty of mine, is that I do the guided fly fishing all season, up to mid October, then it’s shooting time, with all disciplines being done. I enjoy all aspects, from air rifles, centre fire rifles, to shotgun shooting …. Variety is the spice of life hey !!! I do the lot ; Pigeons over decoys, driven pheasant, through to simply bagging a few bunnies for the pot, to some accurate target work up at the lovely Mid Wales Rifle Club, with some of my vintage air rifles. It’s the self discipline of the sport that attracts me, and the fact I can put some fresh, organic food on the table, or in the freezer, ready for when I rustle up, the next delicious game hotpot……….
The rain this afternoon has been pretty full on for the last four hours …. I’ve even bailed out water in my garden pond, and , my rain gauge has been filled three times in the last two weeks !!!! Now that’s a lot of water. One things for sure, the big reservoirs of the Elan Valley, and the Claerwen Valley will be full up very soon.
The last few days have been pretty hectic for me, so, I haven’t actually been up into the Cwm Elan for a good two weeks now, almost unheard of for me. But, before the weekend, I shall venture forth and have a good day up there, in between beating days … Nothing beats a recce on foot, just to see how things are, and imagine wetting a line , or taking an excited client to the waters edge in early May…… That seems an age away !!!
Looking ahead, it’s been busy on the bookings front, I’ve booked in three more gents for Mountain Llyn days next season. Last season was, in essence, a fifty fifty split, between the wild still waters, and the streams and tributaries of the Wye and Usk. I’ve now got a really cool variety of wild streams to take clients on for the day. Two more beauties have now been added to my “private portfolio” of streams, that farmers have given me permission to fish on….. In return, I shall thin out vermin on their land, be it rabbits, or grey squirrels in the woods. They cause incredible damage not only to the formation of young trees, but make huge in roads into the wild bird population. They’re very partial to eggs and young chicks, so, if I can make a good dent in their population, with the .22 Theoben, then, that’s a job well done. Ohhhh, and they make great eating too !!!!! Squirrel madras is very very moreish, along with a good helping of “Uncle Bens” long grain rice ….. That’s a winner I can tell you ….
Winter time is always nice to reminisce and also to do some hiking out to the remote mountain llyns. It’s nice to work out timescales etc etc on the walk in to a certain water……. A lot of clients are not as mountain fit as they make out, so allowances have to be made, and extra time put on to particular walk ins !!!! All this prior planning, and preparation equates to a well organised day for my client.
Most, if not all my clients thoroughly enjoy the wild Wales experience, and a lot have actually done a few days here, experiencing not only the joys of the big wild reservoirs, but also the secretive wading of the Lilliputian streams that are just a sublime joy ….. and, dry fly sport on these wild streams is a blissful experience …………
Something I look forward too during the colder, dark, dank months of Winter, is preparing of kit and equipment for the new Season ahead. Spooling a new fly line on my favourite small stream reel evokes thoughts of Spring, casting a tight line to that awkward rising fish….. That confident take, the tussle, as you bring a stunning little wild trout to a waiting net !!! A smile creeps in, it won’t seem that long before we have the lighter nights …… Honest !!!! Just say it quickly, and in the blink of an eye, you’ll be wading up that favourite stream, a hatch will be on, and you’ll be slap bang in the middle of the party !!!!!
Well, as I’m finishing this little blog, it’s just turned half past six, time for some scran I think !!! Outside, it’s still raining, pretty heavily too …… That’s a concern for a lot of folks this evening…. More on the way too, through the week, so it states on the met office app !!!! Right guys and girls , stay safe out there, if, and when you go in search of the “Lady of the Stream” …….. If in doubt, and the river looks a bit dubious, go another day, the fish won’t go anywhere, look after the future you !!!!! Lastly, have a great November, whether your fishing , shooting, or just enjoying the raw beauty of this green and pleasant land ….. Cheerio for now !!!! 🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🎣🎣🐟🐟🏴
