For those of you who remember, earlier in the year (May to be precise) I journeyed far into the Welsh Marches with the privilege of taking part in the Monnow Social 2008.

A report is coming shortly, as it’s actually taken me this long to write it all up!

For now though, check out the new photos in the PHOTO GALLERY. I think you will agree, it was a rather special weekend.

20 Days. That’s how long it’s been since I last fished the Taff. Mix three weeks of rain with a hectic work schedule, and well, you know the rest.

But, there does seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Okay, so at the moment, the ‘light’ seems to be the size of a tiny LED keychain light, but a light nonetheless. Forecasts for this weekend are, predominantly, dry…with a little light shower thrown in to remind us who’s boss.

For now though, the weather is looking nice, and in a day or so the Taff should be in great form, and by Monday (when I’m able to go fishing next) it should be fantastic. I aim to be there.

Over the last three weeks of nothingness, however, I’ve found a new great way of keeping my fly fishing cravings at bay…well, kind of.

Alistair over at The Urban Fly Fisher posted an article a little while back detailing the Orvis podcast facility. I’ve listened to all of their casts so far and highly recommend them. If like me, you need something fly-fishing orientated to keep yourself happy in times of no fishing, then these are for you. Informative and very enjoyable, they make a nice addition to endless rainy nights at the vice, or make a nice difference to crappy morning radio as you commute to work. Listen on your computer or iPod (or equivalent), and you’ll happy for hours.

Another podcast which really stands out is The Intinerant Angler podcast, it’s exceptional. Also, check out The Itinerant Angler website to see some amazing photos…this keeps me busy when I should be fixing that server…

Check them out, they’re great to keep the more obsessive fly fishermen/women among us happy on a boring, rainy, cold night, when all there is to do is to tie flies.

The below podcasts can be played back via your PC, however, to listen to them on your iPod (equivalent device) you will need software such as iTunes, etc.

Orvis’ Fly Fishing Guide with Tom Rosenbauer	The Itinerant Angler Podcast	Angling Exploration Group Podcast

Good luck to you all over the coming Bank Holiday Weekend, I hope you all manage to get some fishing in!

Sometimes, you just can’t seem to win a fight with Mother Nature. In fact, I’ve never won one with her.

It is at times like these, when the weather is bad (your fly box getting slightly heavier as you spend more time at the vice instead of fishing), that you long for the river that you adore so much.

There are only so many flies you can tie, only so many rods you can clean, reels you can oil, lines you can stretch, etc, to take your mind off the anxiety of not fishing and to give you a sense of purpose. When you stop being busy, the anxiety hits home once more.

With a week of constant rain, the river is up by around 5’ in places, it seems like this so called ‘summer’ is unable to win-out over Mother N either.

So, here’s to the warm summer days that, it appears, we’ve had so few of; here’s to fishing a tiny #22 dry on a 7’ #3 weight; here’s to the summer that’s trying hard to be, but never truly was; or is it that we were just far too busy fishing to notice, and that it’s been there all along…

A few images of the Summer That Never Was…

…it’s stopped raining…but for how long?

Plans for this evening were to go fishing, but due to the consistent rain since Monday, the river is very high, and no doubt is a shade of strong coffee. Super. My plans are (how you say?) dashed.

As it stands, I now have to play this evening by-ear; hourly checks of MetCheck, BBC, and the UKWeather web sites are looked at with levels disappointment and disdain.

Really, I only really have a few of options available to me:

• Option #1: Fish the Tribs

  As the river is up by around 3′ in parts (meaning the middle and lower stretches will be out of action), I could cease my moaning, and could attempt the upper river’s tributaries which usually (I use the word lightly in this occasion) clear quite quickly.

  Likelihood Level = Very High (although I’m being hugely/stupidly optimistic if I think I’ll be able to fish them properly)

• Option #2: Fly Tying

  Yup. I give into to that bitch Mother Nature and stomp off home in a huff, spending an evening at the vice. After all, I really do need to get that batch of the spinners started, and I’ve already put this off for the last week or so.

  Likelihood Level = Moderate (however, if I don’t make up the spinner patterns, future fishing trips will obviously be hexed!)

• Option #3: PC Building

  The last option available to me would be to finish building my new home PC. Any IT issues/etc which need to be looked at after my (already busy) IT working day has finished, is always a necessary evil which I would rather put off for another day…hey, I could be fishing…or at least tying flies!

  Likelihood Level = Low

With all the above listed, I’m in a pickle, and will probably end up enacting all three options. I imagine I will drive to the tribs straight from work, will look at the river and will despair. This will be followed by a ‘slightly annoyed’ drive home, then a night split between fly-tying and the re-installation of hardware and software into my new PC…joined of course, by several commiseration beers.