Well, I’m stuck at work (I know, on Christmas week), it’s dead quiet, don’t even know why I’m here. To make matters worse, it’s raining, hard, meaning tomorrow’s fishing looks likely to be off. Great.

So, in my boredom, I’ve done a few things. 1) I now know that there are fully 66 days left until the start of the river Taff’s trout season, 2) realised I must win a few million pounds on the lottery, and 3) retire and fund fishing addiction with said money. Simple.

Tomorrow was set to be a day on one of the Wye’s tributaries. However, due to all the rain South Wales has had today it will no doubt be un-fishable tomorrow. The Upper Wye webcams also show the water to be very high and coloured.

So, I may risk a drive up to another ‘favourite’ river tomorrow (this one doesn’t wimp out at the first sign of rain!). Fingers crossed!

I’d also like to note the addition of a few new links that are worth a look:

1. Andrew Cartwright Game Angling – Fly fishing guide and general all-round Guru! Check him out.
2. FlyTying.ro – A very good Fly Tying portal, with some impressive photos, and detailed step-by-steps.
3. Hook.TV – For those winter months and cold nights when there’s nothing better than a cuppa and fishing video.
4. Sexy Loops - Do I really need to introduce this web site? If you want to ANYTHING about fly fishing…go here! Now!
5. Shops – Check out the new section of shops (Garry Evans, John Norris, and Sportfish). Top service from all. Recommended by Fly Fishing in South Wales.

I’ve been thinking about new tactics for the new season lately, and one technique I’ve tried a handful of times is streamer fishing.

Using such monstrosities such as Woolly Buggers, etc, hasn’t really ever taken off in the UK as it has in the US, however, I’ve seen first hand the results that can be achieved by using these ‘flies’, even if they are frowned upon by some of the more ‘traditional’ of our angling brothers and sisters.

On one particular occasion last July, I fished a stretch of the Taff where previously I would catch trout fair confidently, however, not on this occasion.

I had reached a pool which I knew held trout…and not small ones. I knew the holes where they lay, and had caught the exact several same fish from the exact same spots several times previous. However, they just weren’t feeding. Either they had been caught recently and were sulking and therefore not feeding, or, had unfortunately been caught and killed. Either way, they just weren’t feeding.

So, after my confusion the pool looked un-fishable, and it was getting late. So, I thought a few more casts were in order, however, after an unsuccessful day, I was losing my excitement, and somehow an olive Woolly Bugger found its way onto my tippet. Never before had I fished this ‘fly’, but boy did it work.

Cast to the far bank just in front of a large rock, a couple of twitches as it drifted below and bang! Never had I experienced such an aggressive take on a river, and for a second I nearly lost it (probably due to my heart nearly stopping!). But, at a good 2lb, she was the biggest off this stretch I’d caught.

I’m thinking streamers may be an exciting part of the 2008 season! And in anticipation, I’ve been making several up in blacks, olives, and browns.

Oh, and a bit of good news…several days after my concern for the missing fish, I managed to catch one of them, known for a scar just above its left pectoral fin. Let’s hope we see her again next season.

If you fancy giving streamers a try, check out this short video from the AEG guys – A Big Fish Will Generally Eat A Big Fly.

Well, looking back at the 2007 season, what have I learnt? I mean, I must have learnt something new this season?

If anything, I’ve broadened my fishing experience with trips throughout Wales and Scotland, fished like a maniac whenever physically possible…until the cold came of course…but maybe I just have to acknowledge the fact that I’m one of those ‘Gentle Weather’ anglers…maybe, maybe not. We’ll find out in the next few weeks.

And so, it’s now the off-season, a magical time of excitement for the approaching new season, and where all memories of the season past become slightly less detailed and slightly more hazy. The fish that seamed a wee tiddler back in April now seems a monster, and where the biting cold that penetrated 2 fleeces, a windproof jacket, and waders back at the start of the season now feels like a warm summer breeze. Thank goodness for blogs and photo galleries to keep the memories crisp!

So, with January nearly upon us, it’s that time of the year when I’m starting to replenish my fly boxes. However, this year, I plan to only make the flies that I actually use. Gold head PTNs, Czech nymphs, a custom gold head bug of my own design, CDC & Elk, and a few klinkhammers in varying colours seem to be the only flies I ever really use (and maybe I ‘cheat’ with a few streamers when the conditions look impossible!).

And a Merry Christmas to everyone! Thank you all for your comments and interest over the last season, I hope you keep enjoying Fly Fishing in South Wales…I have one or two ‘events’ planned for the new season that will hopefully keep you all interested!

Right guys, I‘ve been terrible lately in regards to updating my blog…however, I do promise a lot more entries over the coming month, as a few fishing trips are being planned! And at last!

Over the last few weeks the Taff is looking rather high. As I’ve mentioned previously, my drive to work allows me to see the river as I cross it to leave Merthyr. I judge the height of the river from a semi-submerged wall-like structure in the middle of one of the pools that is viewable from the road.

Lately, the ‘measuring-wall’ is estimating a height of approximately 4ft, which is rather high. Saying this though, it isn’t running very fast, as you’d expect after a spate. Strange.

So, to investigate this, I’ll be popping down to the river for a walk over the weekend….well, also to see how she’s getting on in the off-season…I did this last year, day-dreamed a little too much and almost slipped in!

Anyway…coming soon – a friend of mine wants to go stockie bashing (they’re supposed to be huge! Which I think makes it even worse!), but then, he has promised to come grayling hunting with me…so, I suppose I’ll owe him one! I’ll just try and pretend I’m fishing for wild brown trout…

Ah well. I’m trying to be optimistic, it’s ‘nearly’ January (in a couple of weeks!), and then it’s just two months (ish!) until the trout season opens again!! March hurry up! HURRY UP!!!