Lesley and I always stay nearby in our caravan so that I can be up nice and early to greet guests. We arrived on a lovely afternoon and soon had the kettle on the boil, when she pointed out that there was “something” on the window. I went out with the camera and following on from my lockdown story about bugs and insects, I found a Western Conifer Seed Bug, a species introduced into Europe in 1999, arriving on the south coast of England in 2008, but native to USA.
We then went for a walk in sunshine and later watched an almost full moon rise above the pine trees along with a starry sky. However our daughter texted that it was due to rain at 5.00 am and sure enough out of a clear sky it started to rain at 5.23 and it continued all morning – an organiser’s nightmare!!
Up early the next day to greet the first arrivals at 8.15 in a steady light rain. Covid restrictions meant that I had arranged for cash to be handed to me in sealed envelopes before sending cars on to park and the anglers to disperse along the 2.5 miles of riverbank.
They had all arrived within half an hour and I was able to join them. By this time not only was it raining, but the wind had strengthened thus making it more difficult to cast and even more miserable.
It was remarkable that we had a record turnout of 29 anglers and were joined by Dennis Cole mid- morning and PICT President Rod Benwell who arrived at lunchtime. A big thanks to both for giving their support on such a foul day.
In fact it was so bad that several people packed up at lunchtime after eating their sandwiches in splendid isolation, with none of the normal banter and fishy stories.
Only three Brown Trout and one Grayling had been caught but later one guest who persevered into the afternoon was rewarded with some takes on a dry fly, quite amazing given the conditions. By this time most of us were trying to dry out soaking wet “waterproofs”!
Despite everything most people had enjoyed their hours on the river and were already looking forward to next year – gluttons for punishment.
It had been a successful day with the record number of anglers, all of whom contributed generously to PICT and I thank them all for their support. A big thank you must also go to David Gould who was once again instrumental in getting access to the river.
Perversely, back in the caravan with a hair dryer at work on my wet trousers, I looked out and there was the moon rising above the pines, out of a clear sky!!!!!!!!!!!