This evening, my site https://afishermansjourneythroughwales.wordpress.com/ had its 10,000th visitor…its intention is to encourage more to visit the ‘Land of My Fathers’ because the trout fishing in Wales is just wonderful. Schooled in Wales, and visiting it every year since I was (far too many to admit to) I know more than many, what a wonderful country it is…and now have very nearly found some wild brown trout from all its Counties.
And this is the man, who taught me how to fish the Usk, and who probably is to blame for how, and why I became a Wales’ fishing junkie…Jimmy Devoy.
Just one of about thirty five stripers and crappies, caught in a morning by him, his Bro and his Cousin Simon, and his Dad…in between watching the world’s top golfing talent at the Masters at Augusta, and playing a bit of golf, too…some trip, eh!
When your younger Son turns 40….
His elder Brother already has, and his 40th was celebrated in great style, nearly two years ago.
Ross will turn 40 in April, and he will fulfil a lifelong dream to watch the Masters in Augusta, and with his Dad and his Bro. We will watch golf, play golf….and fish, too, during a week long trip ‘a trois’ – the MairMen.
Tony Shepherd at Clarks Hill Bass Fishing will be our guide, on Clarks Hill Lake, on the N Carolina and Georgia border.
OK…so its not for ‘salmo truta’, but when in the late 80’s/early 90’s, Daddy worked in the States, and we all lived in Connecticut, we used to go out onto the ponds (pronounced paands) in our Maine canoe and fish for black bass for hours, using poppers; plastic, jigged worms, and rapalas, and we caught large mouth and small mouth bass galore to four pounds or so….and had fun together. And my Littler clearly remembers and relishes those days.
I would guess that no one group or activity has any more right to use our waterways in pursuit of a hobby or past time than any other.
In Wales, the right of access is under consultation at the moment, and curiously, for the fifth time in eight years.
Kayakers and canoeists have access today through what are called ‘voluntary access agreements’ (VAAs) and these seem to work. But they want more. In fact they want unfettered access to all waterways, via a change in legislation.
Given this is on the table yet again, one could conclude that Welsh anglers’ interests are being ignored, although I would wager there are many more anglers, than there are ‘paddlers’. The anglers argue that they pay for right of access, and will to continue to do so (through club membership, syndicated subscription, passport charging, and of course, Rod Licensing). And the paddlers want more, and for even more, they will still pay nothing.
This seems unreasonable to me.
The Countryside Alliance puts its case and enables those who have a view to add theirs, on this website.
As an angling enthusiast, or just someone who demands fair play all round, you may wish to respond, but must before September 13th.
The Avon at Durnsford looked glorious in the mid morning sunshine, today. The water was coloured and flies, few. I only saw one rise which I think was a small grayling. I fished for a couple of hours before the showers came, and blanked. Me! An April Fool ? Nah!! It was lovely to be in the water, if only for some casting practice.