Friday 25 December 2009

Dovedale Christmas Day 2009

Merry Christmas All,

After tucking in to a massive breakfast this morning, we decided to have a run out and a wee walk up Pointon's Glen at Dovedale. After a misty start the weather turned out to be fantastic.

We saw lots of people out and about sledging and walking and I was surprised to see just how many cars there were when we arrived at Dovedale car park.

From the footbridge, the Dove looked perfect, running low with the slightest hint of colour. The paths are very icy but if you've got studded soles on your wading boots you'll be fine. Walkers were finding the paths quite hard to negotiate the paths and I even saw a runner give up and turn back towards the car park.




I couldn't resist a few casts with my new 6ft 3wt Hardy glass rod...or "The Brook" as they have christened it. I've not got myself any 3wt line yet so I loaded it up with 4wt and it was casting like a dream. I can't wait for the trout season when I shall arm myself with this nifty little rod, I can imagine it being perfect for narrower stretches like those found in between Ilam Rock and Doveholes.

No fish to report I'm afraid, after all I was only there for 20 mins, but it was great to be there with the snow around and in the cold fresh air.

Its off to Islay for us in a couple of days and have set myself up with some sea fishing gear so that I can have a go at landing a few Pollock from the rocks at Bunnahabhain distillery.

Slainte

David

Sunday 20 December 2009

Plenty of Snow in the Staffordshire Moorlands

Couldn't get out to join the other lads up at Dovedale on the JT masterclass, but managed to get out for a bit with the kids to do a bit of walking on The Roaches in between the snow showers. This pic of Hen Cloud was taken just before the snow really started to fall and we only managed a short distance before we had to turn back. The snow covered the road within minutes.

Looking forward to seeing some pics of the lads fishing up at Dovedale today in these conditions. They all deserve medals, especially if they've managed a Grayling or two, which I'm sure they have.

The busiest week of the year for The Wine Shop starts tomorrow, and we're looking forward to a rest and a dram on Christmas day.

A couple of days after that we'll be off to our fave holiday destination...The Isle of Islay, post and pics to follow.

David