The River Wye forms the border between England and Wales for much of its length. An impressive fast running high volume river with its origin in the Welsh mountains. Its Atlantic salmon are the stuff of legend.
Thirty years ago I was living in Chepstow, in the old South Wales. In the spring we watched the Atlantic salmon run, sitting high on the walls of Chepstow castle. As the tide turned a small bore (tidal wave) driven by the large tides in the Bristol Channel would encourage the fish into the river, their dorsal fins scything the water’s surface as they swam in straight lines through the coffee coloured water. As they felt the water shallow they would turn through 90 degrees and head diagonally for the opposite bank. In those days it was nothing to see 50 or more fish run in an hour. The poachers would dash to the river bank from nowhere with scoop net aloft as the fish approached, and then disappear back into the bankside vegetation so quickly you wondered if you’d really seen it happen.
All these years later I’m back on the Wye, not fishing, but visiting family. And the reason I’m blogging about it is just as a reminder of how lucky we are with our fisheries. Everywhere I look along the river bank are threats of prosecution for anyone who dares even think about pulling out their wand for a few casts – unless of course you’ve paid for your day on that particular 250 metre stretch of bank. I mentioned this to Phil in an email yesterday and he suggested I try the “Aussie expat/ famous writer thing and wrangle a day on the water!”…. Just two problems with that. First I’m nowhere near famous enough; second it wouldn’t work anyway. Here, private property means private fishery so bring your cheque book if you want to enjoy the best of nature’s bounty.
Someone did ask me if I thought much had changed after all this time. The answer, as can be seen from the pictures is clearly no. It’s still overcast and raining!
Tight tippets all!
Steve (Snowy lakes mid winter fly fishing charters for the brave! www.nakedtrout.com.au)