Stll alive and kicking

Yes I am alive and kicking.. I have had a couple of phone calls from lads asking if I’m ok as I haven’t done an update,  so nice that someone care about me, thank you. Well, I have finally got round to doing an update.  It’s been a crazy year for me, as ever. 

After the season finished, I had a couple of friends over for my birthday, 22 again!!!! a mental week that was. Visiting mother for a few weeks, I don’t get time to see her during the season, its 24/7 for around 3 months, and **** did I need a chill. It was a drastic season..

 

We normally get a bit of rain March – April, but we had 900 litres per sq/m in March alone, that’s nearly 200 gallons per square meter. Most ever since records began, and cold, its been the coldest spring for 30 yrs…

Dam open 2nd time in many years

Famous last words *I never feel the cold* but he did, it was freezing end April 

yep, that's normally a road.



 Serena Dam, the second largest dam in Europe Bridges was opened for the first time in its 16 year life. Orellana and Garcia were opened for the second time in 30 years, roads were washed away, villages flooded, so obviously the fishing, being natural lakes – not stocked puddles, were affected somewhat…….

Never the less, we had some great laughs with the new groups of clients, all cracking lads too… some even uglier than me even…..

 

Normally a trickle in this stream, the flood tide line clearly visible. .


After a long drive the Dutch lads struggled along for the 5 days, we saw fish every day, around and over the baits, but no runs….  It was their first experience of the huge Orellana, and they can’t wait to have another go at it.

The Swedish group also put a lot of effort into it, the lake still rising and rain falling. They managed a couple of small fish, just below 20lb, in the crazy conditions. Two of the group were in their element as they are keen birdwatchers, the vast variety of birds kept them well occupied. Luckily they had their Swedish clothing with them, it helped against the cold and damp conditions.  

 It was the same story for Martin and Jim, we tried our best, loads of effort but conditions beat us up rotten. Never the less, they saw the potential of the Orellana when they heard a couple of lumps crash on their last night… the temp was rising and fish were moving but to no avail..

 

I am lucky I get to meet some cracking lads in this game, and some return year after year. Tom and John were over on their first visit, I got coffee in bed, now that’s service,, we had a scream all week, Tom might be ancient, but his mind is certainly on the ball.

 

Malcolm made the long journey from Dubai to take on the Orellana. With slightly better weather, we still struggled but got into the fish, fishing at around 400 meters, nothing huge but he managed to beat his PB twice.
It turned out to be a very sociable session with some Spanish, friends of friends. I even got to watch the Madrid – Barca game in their bivvy, Spanish anglers like their home comforts.  Like many first time visitors here, Malcolm can’t wait to return…

 

We will be back on the bank in September, it’s around 41 degs at the moment, so were not on the bank…..Jeff is back,  the first client after our arrival in Extremadura, some 8 year ago. Some new groups venturing away from the French overstocked puddles and opting to take on this wild natural lake…. And of course our regulars, the crazy Dutch trio, David and Alex…  Looking forward to seeing you all..  Carp angling at its very best and in its purest form.