Fishing the River Usk

It was a high of 47 degrees today as my buddy Paul Reddish fished the River Usk on the northern slopes of the Black Mountains in Wales. The soft spring sunshine cast a picturesque vision of the trees and small rocks along the bankside. Paul “managed a modest eight trout, the best measured 17 inches.” This time of year, the trout are not bulky. Paul is my springtime go-to fisher to touch base with on wading conditions in Wales. We have taken many slips and falls into the water during these early season ventures out.

Even though I am still in Florida now I fish vicariously through my friend who lives on the border of Wales in Bristol, England. We talk fish on Zoom often this time of year. Paul is contemplating visiting Slovakia and other remote fishing scenes, always in search of a species of trout he has never caught before. In Slovakia, he will fish for Hucho Hucho, a species previously unknown to me. Of course, Slovakia fishes well for trout, salmon, and grayling as well. Some adventurers climb mountains, others walk the woods. Fishermen search the depths of a stream and river for that elusive creature who, for food, or perhaps simply out of annoyance, snaps at an artificial fly and regrets. Happy and healthy journeys, Paul, wherever you land this season.