SO, what absolutely foul weather we’ve had recently, with storms Ciaran, and yesterday storm Debi ….. bloody awful to say the least. Damaging, dangerous and damn right difficult to do anything in, be it work, drive, hike, you name it, just totally unpleasant. And the rivers have been up and down like a yo-yo !!!!! The River Wye just behind my cottage, and thankfully well below it in the valley is resembling the Zambezi at the moment …… not nice, and certainly not the conditions to go chasing grayling. If you are hell bent on going after the ladies, a surreptitious approach is most definately required ……. With soupy water, and not being able to see the river bed, adds to your own risk …… but if a bending rod outweighs the risk of you wizzing downstream, and flailing to get to the bank, in freezing cold high water, then go for it !!!!! I’ve done that kind of nonsense during arctic warfare training, and river crossings, when you know it’s going to happen are bad enough, when it’s unexpected, then stand by, you’re in for a surprise ….. Of course I’m happy to fish for our beloved Thymallus Thymallus when the rivers are behaving, and there’s actually some fantastic beats on the Ithon, Arrow and Lugg, that I enjoy during the winter period. Also, there is sublime club water on the Wye, and the Elan ….. both hold some cracking grayling too ……so be prepared for a tussle !!
With the cooler months, and the trout season well and truly tucked up in bed, I’ve been taking bookings for next year, and a very good response too. Folks seem to want a different Christmas pressie, not the same old same old, deodorant, socks, a dull book, or a dodgy sweater you’ll never wear …… and a day out being guided in the gorgeous Elenydd by yours truly is certainly unique. You get my skills, from many many years up here in the Cambrian Mountains, be it on a secretive babbling feeder stream, or a wild open windswept Llyn……. Ohhhhhh and rest assured, I’ll get you into some of the most beautiful brown trout you’ve ever seen !!!! The day will be dynamic, hectic, fun filled, with an air of joviality …… trust me, you’ll have a great day.
Aside from all things fishy, there are masses of other activities to partake in, whilst perhaps a partner is fishing, or you are spending a few days here in Rhayader. The Lion Royal Pony Trekking is one classic favourite with visitors to Rhayader, and you’ll be well and truly looked after by Alice and her team, wether you go out for half a day, or all day, it’ll just be a blissful experience for you…… then, after a freshen up, what about a few well earned drinks in one of the towns favourites…. The Crown, The Triangle, or The Eagles. Choices choices!!!! But, if you’re here for a few days, wine and dine in a different location every night, perfect !!!!
With loads of interesting hiking, sight seeing and various other outdoor activities…… don’t forget, the town has a fantastic Freedom Leisure Centre, where if you decide to go for a swim, or use the gym facilities, Theresa or Hayley will be on hand to assist with your sporting requirements ….. it’s a great gym too, I use if five times a week ….. absolutely spot on !!!! With a superbly stocked Post Office, a library, a beautifully looked after hardware store, namely Hafod Hardware, run by Tom and Pauline, they have everything bar the kitchen sink here, and I’m sure Tom could sort out a customer with one of those too !!!! A myriad of fishing tackle and bit and bobs are available here, along with season permits and day permits for the lakes and the rivers, all at very reasonable prices too !!! There are some cracking antique shops, clothes shops, and a health food shop, so your better half can certainly while away a few hours in the town, and he, or she will find the towns folk ever so friendly ……… and some pubs, you can take your doggy in too, while you enjoy an amber nectar at the bar !!!!!!! Just on the outskirts of Rhayader, there is Mid Wales Rifle Club, should you or your younger members of the family wish to partake in some shooting….. Shirley and Mike there, have a wealth of shooting experience, and various disciplines can be shot at their facility a few miles out of town………
As I’m writing this, it’s a Tuesday afternoon, and guess what, yep it’s raining again !!!!! So there we go, just a taster of what Rhayader has to offer other than superb angling on river, stream, reservoir and mountain llyn !!!! There’s a huge amount of diversity within this bustling town ……. If I went into any of the pubs in the town this evening, there would be a warm fire on the go, and an even warmer welcome from cheery bar staff … with that lovely smell in the air of a country pub…. Burning logs, real ale, maybe a whiskey and coke sat on the bar, and the waft of mouthwatering herbs and spices, as another tantalising dish is prepared for some lucky diner ……… spoilt in this secret town in the Elenydd ????? You bet ……
As I end this blog, it just leaves me to say a few words about the weather and river conditions that are with us at the moment. Take care , and if you really need to wet a line, edge on the side of caution….. otherwise, get behind the vice, tie some winter grayling bugs or something that’ll transport you into June, on a windswept mountain Llyn…… ripping a leggy pretender through the waves, feisty hits by golden plump brown trout, a thumping rod tip ….. pppfffftttttt seems almost an eternity away doesn’t it !!!! Shooting is my other passion, both rifle and shotgun, and even the air rifles…… and nothing I like more than a cold afternoon up at Griffin Lloyd Shooting Grounds and a good session dusting clays …… bang on !!! Love it ….. ohhh and of course that glorious smell of burnt cordite on a freezing, crisp winters day. I do have a couple of shoots to attend in Shropshire on the Pheasant …… fun days, social days, but if I’m honest fast and furious days on the pigeon are more my bag !!!! Quite literally …. Nothing beats the variety, speed and agility of Britains number one crop pest, the humble wood pigeon ….. fantastic sport when you get your decoys just right ……. Bouncing !!!! On that note, I wish you all a safe November…….. keep a close watch on the rivers if you’re angling, and be safe if you’re wading …… remember, slowly slowly catchy monkey !!!!! It just leaves me to wrap it up on this miserable, dank, dog day in November to say tight lines to you warriors that are heading out !!! Happy days ….🎣🎣🐟🐟🐟🐟😊🏴🏴🏴🏴
