I would like to thank my Dad. If it wasn’t for him, I would have never fallen obsessively in love with fly fishing.

I would also like to thank my dad (as well as hold him responsible) for kitting me out in the below attire for my first ever fishing trip. Thanks Dad :lol:

Dad & Me on my first ever fishing trip a month before my 11th birthday (27/04/1992)

Disclaimer: The Gareth Lewis of today in no way resembles the above geek-like/shell-suit-bottoms-clad/plastic-rimmed-glasses-wearing child. He is quite cool, has a mohawk, fly fishes, and listens to heavy metal.

With only twelve days left until the river Taff and it’s tributaries open for the new Trout Season, I’ve noticed that spring may just be around the corner. I may be viewing the world with a tint of optimism, but the foliage seems to be taking on a greener shade, and I’ve already noticed a few things flowering. Also, and with consistently good olive hatches coming off the waters throughout the lower catchment, the trout should soon start taking a notice – if they haven’t already.

The ‘Off-Season’ has passed rather swiftly thanks to the Taff’s silvery occupants, but my sights are now firmly set on the quickly approaching Trout Season and my favourite ‘secret’ haunts.

It is the time of year then when I set myself a goal for the forthcoming season. Last season saw me practically live up on the Taff’s headwaters, crawling over and in it’s small streams, and to be honest, not much will change this season. However, I will be fishing with much smaller flies this time around. Given, the trout up there are totally opportunistic, and more of my concern is usually focussed on my presentation and not outlining/silhouetting myself to the sun, however, I’m looking forward to upping the challenge by concentrating on tiny flies this season.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been tying up a range of patterns varying from the ‘Kind of Small’ size #18, to the ‘Ridiculously Small’ size #26. So far, the grayling of the lower waters have been rather keen on a size #20 BWO paradun pattern, and I have a confident feeling that the upper water trout will too.

Updates and photos to follow.

I have recently been honoured with the addition of a new family member. Well, actually no, not a family member as in the ‘flesh and blood’ type, but more of the ‘carbon fibre/fibre glass/fly rod’ type.

Her name shall be known as St.Croix Avid 7’6” 4wt, and she shall be well-matched to the nature of the Taff perfectly. Ideal for the ‘not so wide areas’ of the upper catchment for where overhanging trees are very present, and for where an 8’6” 5wt is just that little bit overkill for the not so large brownies that live there. In places, the river resembles a wide stream, and this is what this model of Avid was designed for.

Partnered beautifully with an old Vosseler RCL3 reel and an SA Mastery XPS DT#4, she balances faultlessly and casts as well as/better than the publicity that surrounds these rods made by our cousins across the pond.

There will, of course, be an appropriate report to follow in the Reviews section of the site, but for now I look longingly at her from time to time, as she will be a little out of sorts when employed to fish for grayling. I guess I will just have to hold out for another eighteen long days until trout season begins in order to take her out for a spin.

For more information please see the St.Croix website, or for UK purchase information please see the Wellard & Scott website.