Rain, rain, rain, and yet more rain !!! A serious amount has been dumped on our green and pleasant land, and it’s caused a lot of flooding issues, particularly down in South Wales. My heart goes out to those families, it’s a logistical nightmare and one that is all to common at the moment. Businesses and shops have to close, with flooded out shop fronts, damaged stock and that heavy smell of wet sodden carpets and furnishings …… It’s a complete money pit too and at this time of year, just sad !!!!
As the big reservoirs of the Cwm Elan are loving the huge amounts of H2O, the glamorous, booming dams are certainly attracting the die hard hikers and photographers, who crave that white water buzz, of massive nature at its best ….
The lonesome Elenydd seems to welcome in Winter, its bare bones and vast sheets of watery nothingness look serenely complete, as one travels around the Elan Valley. I went for a good nine mile hike the other day, and one thing that you notice as an angler is the finite detail, of things that change as the seasons ravage the glorious landscape of the Cambrian mountains. The wild streams are the same. What was a jungle in high summer is now an open bare structure of moving water, with its desolate banks, where wild garlic will grow in the spring, and the odd flash of a foxglove will dance in the June breeze. Now, it’s just decay, rot, nutrition for the ground ….. It’s the way it has to be, nature is feeding the earth, ready for the race to begin all over again in Spring. And that magic will once again bathe the landscape, Queen bees will frantically be looking for a suitable nesting sight, dippers will be busy up and down the river, hedge rows burst into life, and, if it’s warm enough, those magical March Browns will come out for the first party of the season !!! And the trout ????? Well, if there’s some insect activity, and the ambient air temperature is sufficient, then they too may become active, as they did this year, when we had that really warm spell in April ….. Blissful times, and of course, it’s all in the anticipation …..
But, as I’m momentarily teleported to a balmy spring day on the glorious River Edw, a rain check is done, if you’ll excuse the pun, I’m back in the room, and yes, surprise surprise, it’s still raining !!!! We could have done with some of this in July ….. Oh well, Mother Nature knows no bounds !!!!
I’m guessing a lot of you are now ready for a decent, well deserved Chrimbo break. Thoughts of a log burner on stun, spicy festive smells in the air, and a glass full of Taylor’s Port ….. bliss !!!! Of course, that’s just my own reflection of the festive season. It’s not about that expensive designer garment, or that shiny iPhone 17 pro, it’s very much about family, friends, and being together, because in the blink of an eye, that can all change. So, health is really all you should strive for, that and being in great company ……… We’ve all become somewhat gluttons at Christmas, and, what still baffles me, is , why do folks get so excited about wanting to stock up on enough food to feed a whole platoon….. For a month !!!! It’s like a free for all of eating and boozing….. I’m all for a decent, family Chrimbo dinner, but I’ve never gone mad on all the “overdoing it” kind of thing !!!! I’ll look forward to getting some serious fitness in just after Boxing Day ….. A good hike up a Welsh mountain….. Lovely stuff . Then some beating days up near Welshpool and Bettws ….. That certainly blows the proverbial cobwebs well away I can tell you !!!!
Ahhhhhhhh , a fresh cuppa made, I actually think it’s stopped raining …. It’s nearly six in the evening here in the cosy confines of my Welsh humble abode. The log burner is ticking over, my coffee is smelling marvellous, and, accompanying my brew, with a tipple of Baileys in it, are three very moreish Mcvities caramel digestives …. And that folks, is my sugar fix for the day !!!! I always say, you’ve gotta look after the future you ….. it’s paramount, a little treat now and again works wonders for the soul !!!
So, I’ve been getting plenty of calls, and emails, mainly from anglers booking for next season, or keen to sample the wilds of Wales, and what it has to offer …… It always ends in a “piscatorial” discussion about all the various options available …. And, there’s a lot here !!!! It’s fun chatting about possible days out in the Elenydd, with perhaps, another day on the Upper Wye, followed by the third day on a secretive wild stream. Now, you can’t get more diverse than that ….. For wild fly fishing, that pretty much encompasses every angle of this dynamic sport !!! Anglers love a three day package here; variety and fun are top of the agenda …………
Of course the accommadation available in Rhayader is superb ….. Quality and a supreme standard of “lodgings” spring to mind …. It’s nice for anglers to be located in the town, it’s easy to then select somewhere to dine in the evening, and , if your staying for three or four nights, eat at a different, cosy pub each evening . What could be nicer than that ……. And , I’m flexible, so should you like me to join you for a couple of cold scoops after you’ve dined, then that’s always an option, discussing the next days itinerary over a few cold ones is a pleasant way to wind down …….. And, the real ales are good in the town too !!!!
Our hospitality is vast, with amazing places to rest your weary head…..Cadwgan house self catering apartments, The Horseshoe Guest House, The Elan Hotel, The Crown Inn, and Ty Morgan’s, to name a few. All of these offer a taste of superb accommodation right in the centre of this bustling Welsh market town.
As the evening settles in to the night, it’s time for another log on the old burner, and perhaps an early festive tipple. A client gave me a bottle of damson liquor, so, tis time to sample this cheeky little devil !!!! The fruity aroma is absorbing, and hang on ……. Yessssssssssssss, that hits the spot !!! Delicious and bitey all in one . Well, this bottle isn’t going to last long ……
It leaves me to wish you all a safe and healthy Christmas, if you’re heading to a river, take extreme care, they’re up and down like a yo-yo!!!! Enjoy family time, relish in it, sit at that table, look around and enjoy the moment, it’s not there forever folks. We all love and die, live and grow old….. Being together is what it’s all about …. So, on that festive note, a very Merry Christmas, and I’ll see you in the glooming, bright and breezy in 2026 …. I do so love even number years !!!!! Cheerio. 😉😉🧑🎄🎄🧑🎄🎄🧑🎄🎄🧑🎄🎄🧑🎄🎄🤶
