Wednesday and Thursday of last week, we had a break in the weather, and I think we had about five days with nearly no rain , ok, perhaps I lie like a cheap Japanese watch, maybe some drizzle, but certainly not enough to bring the rivers up any more, so I ventured to one of my favourite beats of the magical River Edw…… A lovely tinge to the river when I peered over the bridge, but a nice workable height and perfect for dries, yeeeeeeeesssssssss ……………..
Early morning sorties if the weather is a bit cool can slow down dry fly action, and to be honest that’s what I like to do, dredging big tungsten nymphs in summer months isn’t for me, and in fact I think its quite far removed from what I call “proper” fly fishing …. Which I see as either casting to risers, or prospecting a tiny well “ginked” fly to entice a feisty wild brownie … oh, for those who don’t know, gink is basically a refined grease that you apply to dry flies to actually keep them buoyant in the water …there are a million and one floatants available these days, but, like fancy flies, they catch anglers before catching fish !!!!!! Lol !!!!! Anyway , misty to begin with, and cool, ten degrees in the valley, but alas, I didn’t have to wait long, things soon pepped up and by nine bells some upwings and sedge were at the party !!!!!
Dry fly sport was superb if I’m honest …..and to be fair, these little secretive beats have been very lightly fished the last couple of seasons….. both beats fished very well, and I cast to both risers and into dark trouty lies, tight under the far bank , which, a lot of the time induced a splashy rise, fantastic !!!! Takes some beating, being in the middle of nowhere , and the only sound is that of the ever rolling stream …… awesome, oh and the splashy fight of a tubby Edw fish as you bring him to the net !!!! I always admire the beauty of these Edw fish , stunning markings and each one very different from the last , just a joy to catch on a little, well placed dry fly……It’s my addiction if I’m honest, small stream dry fly work is what I strive for, having learnt my art on the River Morda, Tanat, Cynllaith and Vyrnwy, way back when I used to go with my Uncle at the ripe old age of fourteen !! You kind of build up a portfolio in your head of what fly will work on a particular day, and presentation is everything …..I do love the small technical streams, with bedrock and pocket water, foot deep with gin clear small pools and spooky trout …. Yes they may only be eight to ten inch beauties, but just as hard earned as catching a two pound brownie from the Usk in March ……!!!!!! You have to wade stealthily, each foot placement has to be precise, there is no place for heavy, clumpy, careless Positioning of your tungsten clad boots here, sometimes, I feel like I’m Neil Armstrong, walking on the moon ….. these small wild fish are so wired, a scratch of a tungsten stud on a rock, and they’re off ……. So “slowly slowly catchy monkey “on a lot of these wild streams …… but so much fun if you do your bit ……
So , there we are, another downpour last night, and heavy too, for what seemed like hours in the sleepy town of Rhayader. As I write this on a cool, dank Saturday morning, we’ve already had a bout of lighter rain, you know the sort, light drizzle, as Peter Kay calls it, the stuff that gets you really soaked without you knowing it !!!!! More of the wet stuff due in next week, so again the llyns and reservoirs will be my chosen arena….. loads to choose from and sometimes it is a dilemma where to plumb for!!! Do I opt for the gorgeous Craig Goch reservoir, or the massive sheet of water, Claerwen, alternatively a real lung buster, and tab out to Gynon or Llyn Carw??? Or with just a quick journey, there’s Nant-y-moch reservoir or even the hallowed Bugeilyn, one of my all time favourite wild upland waters ….. choices, choices ……… not a bad situation to be in I’d say….. till next time folks, enjoy your weekend, plan a wet weather programme, or get on your goretex, and enjoy the marvellous outdoors …. Have a fab one , ohhh and of course if you are wetting a line ……….. tight lines !!!!! 🎣🎣🎣🐟🐟🐟🐟😉😉
