NATURE lovers are in for a treat next weekend as they can meet the 'River Man', who will give them a guided walk through a part of the Elan Valley.

The River Man is Dewi Roberts, who spends his days capturing footage of what lies beneath the murky depths of Powys’ rivers. He will be leading an informative walk along the River Marteg at the Gilfach Nature Reserve, near Rhayader.

The event is taking place on Sunday, June 26, from 10am-12.30pm, with those interested meeting at the Gilfach welcome gateway.

Spot Caddisfly cases and discover how they are made, witness toad spawn developing and gain an understanding of how rivers form features, including potholes.

Dewi, a former teacher who swapped his five times table for flippers, featured in a TV programme about life on the River Wye in March 2021.

Narrated by Michael Sheen, ‘Land of the Wild: Secrets’ followed the real-life Aquaman as he reigned over his watery kingdom of Atlantis – otherwise known as the Wye.

“I’ve always loved rivers, I’ve always lived on or near the river, in Montgomeryshire, and the photography is just a passion that’s turned into something far more than that,” said Dewi when he spoke to the County Times last year.

“Rivers are a massive passion of mine. I’m doing something I love, where I love.

“Powys is such a beautiful place and I’ve seen some fantastic things here. Everything I see underwater is special.”

BBC crews worked with Dewi over a few days as the Llangadfan native filmed on the Gilfach stretch of the Wye, close to his Llanidloes home.

Dewi, who quit teaching around seven years ago, explains his lifelong passion for the magical underwater habitat that the Wye has to offer, and how he has dedicated his career to capturing the wildlife inhabiting it.

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“A day’s work is a combination of me being in the river in a wetsuit and other cameras set up,” he said.

“I’ll be out filming under water for six to nine hours every day, filming salmon or sea trout or dippers or otters, kingfishers. I’ve got a balcony here at home looking out on the river.”

Dewi refers to himself as 'Dyn yr Afon' (The River Man) on his Twitter account, but the name was actually bestowed upon him by a friend.

“I was involved in writing a book on Dolanog and one of my co-authors called me the River Man. It stuck and everyone now knows me as the River Man,” he added.

Next Sunday’s walk has been organised by the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust and attendance is free. Just book a spot by clicking on https://www.rwtwales.org/events/2022-06-26-guided-river-walk-dewi-roberts or for more information, email lara@rwtwales.org.

Remember to wear appropriate footwear as the riverbank can be wet and slippery.