The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I just watched Louise Lear, one of the beebs senior meteorologists presenting the ‘weather for the week ahead’. The cover photo for her national broadcast was a shot of the Wye going over the top of the Vicky bridge in Hereford yesterday.

Louise went on to describe the ongoing jet stream bringing more cyclones from the Atlantic, some of which are expected to cover the whole country, over the next ten days or so. And after that? More of the same, she said.

So I put on some rain gear and walked the 250 metres from my house to the bridge. The river is just about back in its banks, but it is rising once more in mid Wales. It’ll be fishable tomorrow, but it will be scratching for a couple of hours in the wind and the rain with a feeder tight into the bank, rod pointing straight to the bait and a monkey climber bite indicator.

Never mind, I’ve had a great season with my floats and centre pin. Hopefully, there is always next year.......

My local rivers are in flood and it takes a while for them to subside... I may get out once or twice in the coming few weeks if the rain holds off

I think this has been the poorest winter river fishing seasons I have had for many years,largely due to excess water entering our local rivers including the Trent on a regular basis.Whilst others were able to capitalise on a rising river Trent to catch barbel I never seemed to organise myself to be there at the right time.Similarly my pike fishing trips have only resulted in a few jacks and my ambition to catch a Zander on the Trent has been thwarted.Not long left now so I better apply myself!

It is certainly looking unlikely that the Trent will be safely fishable for a couple of weeks. I would like to think that I may get on the boat in the marina before the season's end. Fingers crossed.

The Thames takes about four to five days to peak and triple that before it might be fishable, so I don't see myself out fishing again this season. But at least I made best of the few opportunities available this winter and caught quite a pike, so not grumbling!

Yes I looks like it’s all over when the forecasters are saying we’re in for more of the same. I’ve had a lovely season, spent some cracking days on the river in the company of close friends and managed a few handsome kippers into the bargain... cant really complain if that’s it till June

Thank you for your feedback gentlemen. As I turn 70 this week and the kids all descend on me from London, I feel so grateful for the river. I love wandering the banks as one of the bailiffs, I enjoy gentle working parties ( I used to get in the river with sub Aqua gear and direct operations from the middle of the river). I enjoy helping some of our visitors and pointing them in the right direction. I enjoy monitoring algal bloom for the Wye and Usk foundation, monitoring oxygen levels and temperatures for the Environment Agency.
So maybe the season is over, but there is so much more to enjoy.....

It think it is for me trotting - rivers 1/2 mile wide in places! Bumping a large lead tho' may work if it clears a bit.

Never mind all this water has given the salmon something to swim up - and over the weirs I hope.

My season on the rivers is just about to start :-)

My wife is away all next week and I had planned six days on six different rivers. Looks like that one's gone down the pan.
I might find a still water or two and try for the perch instead.