BODSA Blog

As I look out of the window and see the rain battering down the oil-seed rape, I can't help wondering if we'll ever get any decent fishing weather!

The river started rising again yesterday afternoon, probably because they were letting water out of the dams in preparation for to-day's predicted rainstorms - the alert was upgraded first to orange and now to red. The trouble with water from the dams is apparently because they let it out from the bottom where its temperature is 39.2 degrees F (4 degrees C) and it kills the fishing stone dead. Reports from the river yesterday seem to indicate that is what happened. I don't know why they can't use a higher discharge port, above the thermocline; perhaps it would suck fish through?

With all this in prospect, I spoke to Karl Humphries earlier and we decided it would be best to postpone Sunday's planned sea-trout evening. The weather should be better but the river will almost certainly still be unfishable so we thought it better to postpone now, rather than hang on until the last minute. A new date will be arranged as soon as possible.

I have been having a look out to the West to see what's coming. We have a Low over Cornwall at the moment with a warm front ahead of it giving this heavy rain. There is another Low immediately behind but it is at least possible that there will then be a spell of more settled weather. A High just South of Iceland and another over the Azores, whose systems seem to be joining out in the Atlantic, might give us some decent weather.

Let us welcome the sun, even though it doesn't look as though it will be around for long. After yesterday's rain the river rose to two feet above normal but has been falling nicely all day to-day. If we could rely on it not raining for a bit, it should be fishable tomorrow. However…

I was talking to one of the Corwen bailiffs yesterday and he told me that the four lakes which feed and control the Dee are brim full, with water among the trees on the banks, so that any rain now goes stright into the river. The lakes have a water surface area of nearly 3200 acres and drain many square miles of hill country, so when we have heavy rain there's a lot of water to deal with. And there's a yellow alert here tomorrow so there could be a right old flood by the time it's all over. But keep your fingers crossed because they don't always get it right.

We had two optimistic day-ticket men at Bangor this morning who bought tickets before looking at the river. It was, of course, totally unfishable, so they had their money back and we hope to see them again when the water drops.

I know our weather is what gives British girls their famous peaches and cream complexions but I think we've had enough now, so any member caught doing a Rain Dance will be expelled forthwith!

Would you believe me if I said it was raining? The river has been up and down like a yo-yo the last forty-eight hours. It is rising again now and currently, 1130hrs, is more than a foot above normal. I fished it last evening and it was clear enough and looked great. The fly swam round beautifully when I didn't chuck it on to the far bank (must be eating too much meat!) but apart from a couple of little pulls, nothing showed any interest. The river has risen another few inches since then.

I have no reports of salmon or sewin but one member has had some good chub and perch on a Flying C. The best chub was around 6lbs, took like a tiger and made him think for a minute that he was into his first Dee salmon. Happy days!

Those of you attending the sea-trout evening with Karl Humphries on Sunday, please keep an eye on this page. Karl will make a decision on Friday as to whether the river is in a fit state. and I will post a notice here. (Julia has just come in to tell me that we have an orange alert for the weather here on Friday, so don't put your kit in the car yet!).

On a slightly happier note, there was a full moon on Tuesday and the associated Spring tides will bring even more fish into the river. I don't know if they'll be any easier to catch than the last lot but they have to swim through our waters on their way upstream, so there's always a chance.

PS Later heard of one salmon landed on our lower Beats on worm on Saturday, coloured fish about 7lbs, returned of course, and another lost on spinner. Keep trying, Chaps!

Warm, damp and grey but at least the wind has dropped. The river level is now at 750mm on the gauge which is exactly a foot above normal, so the water is falling nicely and very fishable in most places.

I heard this morning that one of our members, fishing my own favourite Beat, landed a 10lbs silver salmon on Thursday and then a 5lbs 2oz Chub, both on a red rapala.

I have just had a look at the weather chart for the North Atlantic and must advise everyone not to hold their breath for any major improvement. Normally at this time of year, high pressure dominates and there is now a high pressure system over the Azores just as there was in the sweltering Summer of 1976. However, there are more highs to the North, over Iceland and Greenland, so that the series of low pressure systems running from Shetland to Newfoundland is being squeezed between them, accelerating wind speed and deepening the depressions. That miserable lot, marching westwards across the Atlantic, are causing this rotten weather. And it doesn't look like getting any better for at least a couple of weeks.

On the bright side, there are fish in the river and the level has fallen another inch since yesterday. I heard this morning of a salmon of 11lbs and a sea-trout of 3lbs caught on spinners just upstream of our waters, down below my house, so the fish are there even if a bit reluctant to come out and play. Fishing under these conditions may not be much fun - especially when you have arthritis in your shoulders - but if you grab your chance when it's fine, it beats the hell out of hoovering!

The weather continues typically British - you know what they say, "If you don't like it just wait half an hour."  Which to-day means a brisk 'reefed tops'l breeze' bringing regular squally showers.

The river continues to fall slowly and is now, at 1500hrs, 16" above normal, which is 850mm on the gauge at Manley Hall. The water looks great but the fish are still dour and I think we need a spell of settled weather and a rising barometer to get things going again. I have heard of a sea-trout lost to-day but, so far, nothing brought to net.

Keep faith and keep trying; the fish are there.

With the river continuing to fall and clear, prospects are very good - as long as you don't leave your waders at home, like I did yesterday! There are willow leaves coming down which can sometimes be a source of frustration but there are also a lot of fish. One of our landlords e-mailed this morning to tell me that he is receiving reports of sea-trout on his other Beats and to ask if we were seeing any. The current Low atmospheric pressure may be making the fish a bit dour, but they are definitely there.

1500hrs. River level holding steady. Only a few showers in this area but apparently it has been absolutely p…(oops, sorry) hammering down in Bala, so keep an eye on the level before driving too far.

CAUTION. THERE ARE THUNDER STORMS FORECAST TO THE NORTH AND THEY JUST MIGHT HAPPEN HERE  -  so if you are using a carbon rod and see lightning or hear thunder, pass your rod to someone else and run like h**l!