Storm Darragh was an absolute swine last week !!!!! Some serious damage countrywide, and Wales really saw the worst of it !!! Rivers went baseerk, winds were gusting at well over ninety miles an hour in places, and, with saturated ground from the previous rain deluges, flooding was occurring on many localised riverside locations. The River Wye went absolutely rogue !!!! In fact, I think it was one of the highest levels she’s been at for some time ……
In all honesty , fishing has really been on the back burner the last few weeks…. The odd “river day” searching for grayling has been reasonably fruitful, but, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the rifle shooting . Both centre fire and air rifles have had a dam good airing !!!! Getting out all the air rifles from my collection, springers and pre charged pneumatics has been so addictive …. The facilities up at Mid Wales Rifle Club are fantastic, and , even in this cold, dank, wet drizzly stuff we’ve had this December, shooting under cover in warmth and comfort is very very nice indeed !!!!
Mike and Shirley at the rifle club, as I mentioned in my last blog, have masses of experience on shooting and are generally always there if any help or advice is required . Tis a perfect spot to check zero one of your precious rifles, right out to thirty yards. Paper punching on targets is possible, as is a fun session shooting at tiny half inch metal spinner targets !!! That is so addictive, and great for just brushing up on one’s trigger technique, shot follow through, and marksmanship principles !!!!
Today, as I’m writing this, feeling pretty weary in fairness, a mammoth road trip was done yesterday, dropping presents off at various locations, in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Radnorshire. But, more importantly than that, catching up with my lovely mum, with Birthday Cake, candles, and a good chinwag. She seemed cheery, and was so nice for all of us to be there, prior to her heading out for a Birthday lunch at The White Lion in Llynclys with very good friends …. I must say, on my way up to fishing venues in North Wales, I’ve dined here many times, great food too, I can highly recommend it !!!!
I’m actually writing this in a bustling, busy Ty Morgan’s in Rhayader. Christmas cheer adorns this fantastic bistro and restaurant. The staff busy around in Festive sweaters, and punctually deliver scrumptious meals to groups of hungry people chatting excitedly around the tables of this very popular eatery ……… Excited delirium of a weekend, and the joys of Christmas add a special kind of zest to the already festive ambience………
I’m feeling pretty smug about having finished all my festive administration !!! Not only is it all done, it’s been wrapped, cards written and it’s even been delivered by my good hand to its Christmas Day destination !!!! You just can’t knock that !!! So, today is very much a personal admin kind of day. Bookings for the Spring have continued to trickle in, and strangely, I’ve had several on the bounce book a three day sortie in the Elenydd. A lot of clients do enjoy a day on one of the big wild reservoirs, followed by a secretive wade up a babbling stream, then, I tend to leave one of the secluded mountain llyns for the third day. Last year, my Expedition days were so successful, and clients had an absolute ball, right in the middle of knowwhere, catching stunningly beautiful wild brown trout amongst the rock and heather of the Cambrian Mountains !!!! Just a blissful experience for any nomadic angler ……………
So, that really wraps up my festive blog….. Have a healthy, happy end to 2024 folks, and, if we do get this predicted “ Snow Bomb” that the Daily Express, and Radio 2 have mentioned several times, stay safe. Don’t break a back trying to get from “A”to “B”, Tis only one day, a family get together can be organised any time, and believe it or not, turkeys can be purchased anytime of the year, along with mince pies !!!! So, it’s not all doom and gloom, and, look on the bright side, all you guys “n” gals with a miserable mother in law, not getting up on Christmas Day isn’t the end of the World, every cloud has a silver lining hey !!!! Lol….. I’m fortunate, very fortunate, my partners family and close friends are all extremely sociable and fun ……… On that note, I’ll say have an absolutely cracking Christmas break, if you’re managing to chase the ladies on one of the Rivers, stay safe, and just remember, that clocks ticking to when we can do “proper” fly fishing, casting tiny dries and nymphs to feisty, feeding brownies on a secretive river or feeder stream ….. Blissful days, love it !!!! Roll on 2025, I really can’t wait, Tis going to be a busy one for Escape the Mainstream !!! Mind you, I do thrive on being really busy, I guess it’s the military ethos that shines through !!! Busy, proactive, and excelling with administration and punctuality are key factors to success ….. ❄️❄️❄️🧑🎄🎄🧑🎄🎄🧑🎄🏴
