A really bizarre few days, not so much on the angling front, but weather wise, we’ve had it all, over the last two weeks, from sharp frosts, through to a hoofing storm, which we had last night. Storm Dave, would you believe it, was pretty pokey here in deepest mid Wales. It’s Easter Sunday now, and it seems to be calming down. I do hope folks have a peaceful Easter, it was lovely walking through a blustery Rhayader at about half ten, hearing the bells, albeit digital, sounding from St Clements church, very nice indeed…..
Lots of admin bits sorted, for later this year, for me, with regards to shooting courses, firearms courses, and of course, admin bits for this years pheasant season. I must say, I’m really looking forward to this one…… To that end, my first days fishing was actually open day on the big wild reservoirs of the Cwm Elan . My venue for the 20th of March, was the majestic Craig Goch. As I walked across the moors, a crunchy, frosty morning greeted me. Boy, it was a cold night. And, she was like a mirror, with only the slightest ripple, kissing the serene expanse of the big, wild reservoir ……. This was going to be a toughie !!!!
First impressions on a venue, can dent an anglers soul, but, I persevered, and, with emergers, tiny Diawl Bachs, and black buzzers, I snaffled out a respectable seven fish that morning. Some of them chunky, strong fish too !!! I was over joyed, not with my sporting achievement, but with the fact that Craig Goch was fishing as if the draining of her last season had never happened. Fish were well distributed, and, all were healthy, and fighting fit. That lovely buttery gold, with the halo spots dashed all over the flanks……. Fantastic stuff !!!! It was sort of a litmus test, my next sortie would be on Penygarreg, the very next day, as she too was drained, so that the work could be carried out safely on the “ top dam”……
Penygarreg was almost a “Groundhog Day” of the productive one I’d had on Craig Goch, with the added bonus of a decent Southerly ripple. Ahhhhhhhh, now we are talking !!!! If Carlsberg did trouty days, then this would have been it !!!! Lovely strong, confident takes to my flies. I do treat myself to a few bespoke wet flies every season, tied by a true expert, the very talented George Barron. But, not only does he tie, superbly made, classic flies but, this angling genius has some superb books to his name, furnished with amazing photos, of locations, and flies…… Just beautifully presented ………
The fishing of both Craig Goch and Penygarreg Reservoirs carried on, pretty much all that first week, with three sessions on Craig, and two on Penygarreg, all sorties were fun, with plenty of fish to the net. What I will say, on each session, be it morning, or very early afternoon, a decent bit of leg work is needed on these waters. You’ve got to go and find the fish, but, when you do, they’ll let you know about it, with a rod wrenching take, to either your point fly, or one of the droppers. Personally, I generally only fish two, seems to work well for me !!!! And, if you see a rise, I cover it, a few strips, seeing that lovely boil at your flies, then the line, very satisfyingly going tight !!!! FISH ON, LOVE IT……..
What was memorable on the first day of the season, apart from the biting cold, and sport being really good, was the hauntingly peaceful sounds of the resident curlews. I think I counted three that were airborne up at Pont Ar Elan. Just a superb bird to watch, and they kept me entertained all morning, along with releasing a few, stunning, early season brown trout. The Canada geese also are fun to watch. Their almost amusing honking, as they come in to land on the vastness of their Craig Goch, watery reside……The feet are down, wings adjusted, they’re coming in for a landing . Those big webbed feet, brake them almost instantly, the wings are folded, with a little bit of minor shuffling, the heads are up, a quick look around, and then they are on their way….. That almost princely movement through the water. The two I saw, would most certainly be a paired up couple, for this season…… Always vigilant, if one’s feeding, or preening, the other one is on look out. True survivors !!!!
So, after this Easter weekend, I’m out with clients, two in the Elan Valley, then, I’m taking the first gent, out on one of the Wild streams. These high altitude streams, do take a bit to crank up, and my “go to” date is generally a week or so after the Easter weekend. I do love these client days, and my bookings diary is looking very healthy, so, if you want a day or two, fly fishing in stunning mid Wales, give me a yell, and we can pencil you in my diary …… Early booking, avoids any disappointment !!!!
Well, that sort of wraps up this very short blog. Next week should be fun. Looks like we are in for some warmer, more settled weather. That’ll be super, and, I’ll give one of the streams a bash mid day on the early part of next week, see what trouty activity there is. I did a recce walk, around half eleven on one of the days that were warm, last week..….. ish !!!! There was some very sparse up wing activity, and some early grannom too !!!! Now, on the Upper Wye, catch the party just right, and your Grannom sport can be hectic and fun ….. Even if the winged insect isn’t really raving at the party, a nymph will be a deadly option to consider. With it being Bank Holiday Monday tomorrow, I’m sure bustling Rhayader will be alive with excited tourists tonight. A few scoops, and some live music might just be on the cards for this callsign……… Whatever you’re doing folks, on this Easter break, make it a happy, safe, and memorable one …. And, if your out on a piscatorial adventure, it goes without saying……. Tight lines !!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🎣🎣🐟🐟🐟🏴
