About 30 years ago I began what turned out to be a rather eclectic career at Midland Bank in Haverfordwest. As a fresh-faced teenager, who had never even visited north Pembrokeshire before, I was fortunate to find lodgings with a generous local, whose past-time was game fishing. He took pity on his young lodger, and hosted regular expeditions along PAA waters.

Having been brought up in Llandrindod Wells, with the superb fishing of the Wye and its tributaries, particularly the Ithon, on my doorstep, I had enjoyed marvellous fishing as a boy. So I was lucky to meet a guide and mentor for the Western Cleddau. I must confess that at that time however, I did succumb to the lures of girls, sailing and surfing and my dedication to fishing was somewhat tempered.

A couple of years later, work took me to Cardiff and then on to London and the Home Counties. During those long years fishing was a rare treat of a week or two grabbed here and there among the pressures of a demanding career. I would often regret not making the most of a wonderful water when I could. Although I was lucky enough to afford many a trip to Ireland, Scotland, California and, of course, Wales for fishing, for the keen angler it's just not right if you can't pop out for an hour and wet a fly when the water is 'just right'!

Long-held plans to return to Wales, became more detailed plans to return to West Wales. But where to settle? I initially considered the Ceredigion area, having had wonderful sport over the years on the Teifi Trout Association and Llandysul waters. But a house-hunting trip brought me back to Pembrokeshire, and one look at the Western Cleddau on a balmy spring day in April 2007 at St Catherine's Bridge and my fate was sealed!

Three years on and now I'm as excited about April 1st as I used to be about December 25th when I was 8 years old!

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