We all know that clambering around the lethal boulders of west Wales is bad for your health!

So far I've developed quad ligament trouble above my left knee cap from too much crouching and shuffling like a duck. You know the move I mean? Not seen on many dancefloors... It's the one where you look like you're doing your nasty business behind a bush, and then decide that you've seen a better spot over there, and off you go, ass to ground, knees to the chest... waddle, waddle. Usually finished off by kneeling on a sharp rock, swearing and seeing a fish dart off upstream thus rendering the whole spectacle totally pointless - that's the one!

I blame that move (I'll call it the shi*ting duck) for my left knee trouble.

OK, so I have these twinges in my knee going downstairs, and sometimes severe pain which makes it totally useless, and I haven't even told you about my back...
That's just a general problem associated with being 6'3" and trying to be 3'6" when fishing. I guess that's an inevitable side effect... And of course working as a designer I sit at a computer screen creating works of art... so I tend to seize up if I've strained anything.

A classic smallstream injury. Once upon a time I slipped and put my whole weight down on my fist... on a rock, still wrapped around my fly rod. Yeah, that was about 15yrs ago and I still remember it clearly, I couldn't clench my fist for a couple of weeks. And we all lived happily for ever after, apart from the knee trouble and stuff of course... I blame the same little river for my other ailments.

I've landed on my ass a few times, once notably when bass fishing on a rocky reef I crushed my coxix, so I don't have to worry about that anymore at least. I'm pretty nimble on most terrain, but we all take our eye off the ball occasionally, and you should aways check your sandals for algae before jumping over a rockpool, that's all I'm saying...

Anyone doing better/worse than me?

Damn! Looks like it's only me who's falling apart. I'll have to go a strict fitness regime, see if I can fish 2011 injury free...

Just nettles and brambles, mostly, but I felt my age recently when I fished from the shore here.

Knees are no longer up to the task of hopping from boulder to boulder!

Worst injury this year was stepping in a wasps nest whilst trying to stealthily move along a steep bank. I got stung 7 times but my foot and leg were covered in wasps and I had to run like an idiot along the bank trying to get away from them.

I defy anyone not to look a complete maniac when running from wasps! From a distance it looks hilarious. haha

Steve - that rocky mark looks lethal. Wouldn't want to slip in there!

Dunk, I'm moving away from felt soles next season as not the most reliable on boulders, and shocking on grassy banks. Watch that cocyx .....shockingly painful place to bruise....Re falls, have taken a few soakings this season but I did slip off one rock and landed on my fingers and hand, ending up in a "press up" pose, with no injuries to face etc. Was well chuffed - felt like a commando ! The hours in the pool are paying off ( or else i just got lucky ! )

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Irish by birth, Munster by the grace of God.

It wasn't me but the wife managed a beautiful slow motion backwards fall when crossing a small stream in the lake district recently. A slippery rock in conjunction with a "bull in a china shop" approach was her downfall.

She ended up sitting in the water with everything wet up to her boobs. I didn't stop laughing for ages. She got a nice bruise on her bum and a jolted wrist for that one. I also wouldn't let her sit in the car wet (leather seats) so I fashioned her a skirt made from my fleece. Quite fetching I'm sure you'll agree.

Sunrider,

Your a lucky Man! Your Wife is a very attractive lady, even wearing her walking boots and a skirt fashioned from your fleece jacket!
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Knocks and Bumps?

I have fallen so many times throughout this season, I cannot list them all!!

Getting wet? Several times!

Twisted muscles on three separate occasions!

Fallen on to rocks a few times, grazed arms elbows and shoulder!

On one fall, there was a large boulder in the stream; and I accidentally; and unintentionally head butted it. That was a painful, dizzying experience!

Ad to the above : some bruises cuts a couple chipped shin bones, and the odd hook in the finger! I also Broke one rod and damaged a nice reel! But I still consider the 2010 trout season to have been absolutely brilliant, in spite of all the mishaps and painful knocks.

I certainly intend taking more care in 2011, and also throughout the winters Grayling fishing, went for an impromptu swim last winter; and at 62, the cold water takes it's toll on my weary bones! But it goes with the territory; just need to take more care when wading!

Regards

Mostyn

Mos, you'll be wearing your pants outside your trousers soon- superman has nothing on a small stream angler!
See you soon for the grayling I hope?
Take care.

Ade.

Bl..dy hell Mostyn by the sounds of it you are very lucky 2 be here. 62 and still at the small streams. fair play to you i hope im still at it when im 62. Take it easy mostyn.

Ive had many bumps and cuts this year and trips and falls.
But being winded by falling and twisting around and banging my chest on a log was one of the ones that hurt the most.
This is one that was a right pain in the finger and a cow 2 get out on my own. It was barbs and i felt every part of it.