Rain, rain , rain !!!!! That’s been the weather routine, on and off, over the last five or six days . A real autumnal feel is blanketed over the Elan Valley, where I have been doing most of my guiding, over the past ten days or so. A hugely satisfying week and a half too, with some regular clients booking for a a few days here in the beautiful Cwm Elan.
As you approach any of the big wild reservoirs, you first get that stunning view, then that smell of the tired woodland, decay, wet leaves, wet grass, and of courses the autumnal scent of closure. As nature prepares for the long cold, harsh winter ahead, here in the vastness of the Cambrian Mountains….
It’s not all sadness, or doom and gloom, the fishing continues right up to October 17th, and some of the best fishing can be had during these cooler, dank days. The fish are feisty, stunningly coloured and usually, up and raring to go, in a good rolling wave. Sport can be wild, hectic, and dynamic, as savage takes occur, to your team of wet flies. The sensation could be likened to being hit by a bus, as your traditional wet fly gets absolutely hammered by an aggressive, stunningly coloured wild brown trout. Brought to a clients net, there’s smiles all round, a very quick piccie of the prize, then without further ado, the precious fish is slipped back in to its watery domain …. With just its pride a little dented, probably never to be caught again !!!!
I’ve actually just returned back home from a fabulous breakfast at the lovely Ty Morgan’s cafe and Bistro. Their breakfasts are certainly legendary and will go down in Welsh history as something not to be missed, as you alight in this bustling, vibrant town of the Lakes….My client from yesterdays guided day, Kier, kindly treated me to a full on breakkie. We discussed all things piscatorial, and being proactive, also mentioned locations for next seasons forays.
Today , we have sun, and dare I say it, it’s rather pleasant in the town of Rhayader. Yesterday, the fishing was good, in between all the seasons in one day. A flat calm with drizzle, thunder, lightening and to round off the day, we had a biblical deluge of rain for an hour or so. The rivers went baserk,, and flooding occurred in lots of areas in Wales, and into Herefordshire and areas of the Severn, particularly up around Llandinam. I hope folks managed to prevent any really nasty flood damage. It was so quick here in the Elan Valley, one minute we were discussing the day, and the quality of the wild brownies, the next minute, the Heavens opened, and the roads surrounding the lakes of the Cwm Elan resembled a river, quite literally !!!!
I’ve had to cancel a couple of river days for a gent, who travels up from London. He thoroughly enjoyed the wild streams experience early in the season, and, not to dampen the memories of early June, I suggested that Andrew makes a return journey to Rhayader, next season, in May, and we’ll target two cracking tributaries, and have some super wild streams sorties. A look forward is always nice, and I do Strive to ensure clients have the best, sporting experience that’s possible out of their stay in glorious mid Wales.
I’ve mentioned earlier, the big wild waters really do produce the goods at the back end of the season, and, the last four clients that I’ve taken out, have had some seriously chunky fish to the net. The better brown trout become very active now. The water cools, the south westerly winds create big rolling waves, and the fish become confident, to smash wet flies ripped back in the leaden waters of this hallowed place.
A relaxing Sunday for this callsign, obviously I’m writing this piscatorial epistle, but essential a Chilled out day, with the mundane humdrum all squared away, I’m catching up with a local fellow angler later on, to discuss an angling day up in the hills…… May be Bugeilyn or one of the llyns heading over to Aberystwyth. Possible Syfydrin or Craigypistyll may be the venue of choice. If I can’t decide, I find the best plan of action is to fish all of them…… job done !!!! lol ….
Before I close this brief blog , it’s nice to reminisce over catches during the last few days out guiding. The shock on some of those clients faces as their rod bends and a strong Elenydd fish gives him rock all. The shear relief when it’s in the net, a look of joy and also excited delerium , the prize is there. A stunning bar of Welsh Gold !!!! Like a Faberge egg with fins. The beauty of nature. Treated very carefully, it’s returned, with a sulky departing splash of water, it’s off ……..
Well, that’s me folks, enjoy the rivers, when they finally fine down, it may be a close call, before seasons end, but it would be nice to have one more sortie on a couple of my favourite streams, before I concentrate on the last seventeen days of my guiding season up in the Elan Valley.
If I’m honest, it’s been a sensational season on the wild streams . We had warmth really early on, with fish responding accordingly, and sublime dry fly sport to boot !!! The last half a dozen sorties up in the Valley, on the reservoirs have also been fun filled, sporting, and more importantly, clients have finished their day with a good few stunning fish to the net. That’s what it’s all about, laughs, banter, craic, passing on my knowledge and of course a few tight lines !!!! Till next time folks, be safe out there, and enjoy your week …….. Cheerio for now, Joe. 😉🎣🎣🐟🐟🏴
