Fishing in Wales

[M a tlock Ewlgc

T HE AUT HO R FISHIN G IN WALES

a (Bathe to the angler

M GALLIC HAN WALTER . ( ‘ GEO FFREY MORTIMER ?

LO N D O N

. . O F E R BINSON CO .

2 0 G R E A T R U S S E L L S T R E E T 1 90 3

PR E F A C E

As a contributor o f articles upon Welsh rivers and lakes to an lin rnals fre u n l the g g jou , I q e t y received letters from ﬁshermen who wished to be informed as to the chances o f Sport in various

ar s o f the r n al n o f s r n p t P i cip ity, the ki d ﬂie to b i g w o s o f s n and ar s ith them , the c t ﬁ hi g, the ch ge made by the proprieto rs o f hotels and boarding houses. These questio ns have proved useful to

us s a l in o f info r me, beca e they how ex ct y the k d

n mation which anglers require . Taki g these

u s a u e a ar fu lle e as q eries a g id , I h ve c e lly co ct d

an s o fr m o wn m y details as pos ible, b th om y angling notes and diaries and from the eXperi ences and recollections o f friends. My aim throughout these pages is to be o f real practical service to anglers who wish to visit Wales. I have refrained from painting highly - co lo ured and imaginative pictures o f the spo rt to be o btained in [ V ] vi Preface

i the waters described . My tale s plain and un

’ varnished .

Mr . ni r M n re due to . y tha ks a W Se o , the

o r o f The Field Mr. n rs n ra a Edit , to A de o G h m , o f ountr e and he r o f Land a d C y s , to t Edito n

ater f r rm ss o n r r u r W , o pe i i to ep od ce a ticles which have appeared in their columns.

W. M. G .

M ar h 0 c , 19 3. C O N T E N T S

CHA PTER n o t BY W I . AY 0? INTRODU CTION AND GENERAL HINTS

II . THE D EE T HE MAWD D A H III . C RED T IV. FINS A DO LGELLY

V. THE WNION E K VI . TH LA ES O F CADER IDR IS SAL ON SEW N AND TRO T AT DDG VII . M , I , U BE ELERT

LA O F THE L D R VIII . KES L E RAN GE

IX . THE LLY N S O F ARD U D WY

i H TR EA o r LLEYN x . T E S MS

xu . LLY NS o r THE GLYD ER S

m THE nvsvnm x .

THE DOVEY xiv.

xv. BALA LAKE

NWA LED R AND wo wv xvr. THE CO Y, L , L

‘ WYFAWR AND D m rAc u xv n. rnn D

xv m. LAKE vvnm

msmNG AT LLANBER S xxx. I mo rrr AND o o wan xx . rm: s [ vii ] Co ntents

cn am n

XX I. THE CER IOG

X X LLANRHA AD R -Y N - OCHNANT II . I M

T HE AR TRO AND D WVR Y D X X III . LW D X X IV. THE C Y

BASS- F SH N X X V. I I G X X T HE U SK VI .

T HE TEIFI XX VII .

X X LLAN GO RSE LA KE VIII .

X X THE WY E AN D SO E TR B TAR ES X I . M I U I BY WAY O F INTRO DU CTIO N AND GENERAL HINTS

ALMO ST all the rivers o f North Wales have a

un a n so ur and are fed b ra l n mo t i ce, y pid y ﬂowi g

f r r n hill brooks . Many o the waters a e b oke for l n s r s b r s and s o f e o g t etche y ock , ome th m are much shaded with trees in parts of their

u D fo r r a rs rse . ee a l co The , ex mp e , whe e it w te the district o f Ederynion and the Vale o f Llan

llen is fo r l s u n r an . go , wooded mi e po eithe b k A

r n o f r r is el mo e ope type ive the Dovey , b ow

em a s . In lar r s r a s r f r C m e the ge t e m , the e o e , is necessary to insure sport with the fl - ro d u is no t f n f y , tho gh it o te need ul to wade

ee r t an us a the s d pe h j t bove knee .

s r n s an d r ul s o f n n a r The p i g iv et the S owdo , C de

I r s Rhino r n Lledr and ran ran s d i , g, A e ig, , A ge

1 2 Fishing in Wales are th e heads o f innumerable rivers frequented b sa n sea- r u s n almo Camb icus y lmo , t o t , ewi (S r , o r s sea- r u r n r u nd in the Wel h t o t) , b ow t o t , a ,

as o f so s r a s s ral n s o f ars c e me t e m , eve ki d co e

r r n a n urns ﬁsh . T out b eed in little mou t i b

f a sea- and in arns at eet bove the level, t

n n b h the same altitude . Whe u impeded y igh falls sal n and ra r r u as n , mo mig to y t o t ce d the

f In an f smallest runnels in time o spate . m y o the ll n s r are r u o f r un s in y the e t o t ove 5 po d weight , while other pools swarm with ﬁsh o f three o r four

an l r fo r r u c a his to the pound . The g e t o t an v ry amusement by o ne day tracking an u an . pl d r its s ur and o n an r s n fr b ook to o ce , othe ﬁ hi g om

n a r His ursu o f ﬁsh a boat upo b oad lake . p it will lead him into some o f the wildest and most

K r roman tic scenes in the ingdom . Whethe he

’ wa s s f s al s o f sa r de the wi t h low the c ed Dee , o r r f s f r r in a n on al l n d i t be o e the b eeze di ghy T y ly , he will ﬁn d himself surrounded with rare natural

beauty .

As I s r ra al nf r a n wi h to impa t p ctic i o m tio , I will begin by reference to the cost o f ﬁshing in

r al s . l ar s n rall s a n No th W e Hote ch ge , ge e y pe ki g,

In s vary from two to three guineas a week . ome

as s rs r f a s on la s and c es thi cove the hi e o bo t ke , Introduction and General Hints 3

includes ﬁshing in preserved lengths of rivers .

ar us a art n s a n anc co s F mho e p me t , with tte d e , t f r I 1 5 for s . r are om to £ 1 0 . two mom The e

an a rs n an l r b a en m y w te ope to the g e y p ym t , and so me that can be ﬁshed by permission o f

r ar an wn rs o r an n ne o r ip i o e tenants o f l d . I o two localities it is possible to obtain very fair salmon an d trou t ﬁshing free o f all cost beyond the charge fo r a license under the Controlling

s r in r sal n Fi he y Board . Fo r angling the bette mo

an d r u a rs on us o f urse t o t w te e m t , co , expect to

a ut r the ar s are p y , b compa ed with Scotlan d ch ge

no t a ur a a ns s high in Wales . It m y be ged g i t thi that the sporting rivers and lochs o f Sco tland are

much superior to the waters o f North Wales . n This m ay be a reasonable contention . The oted rivers beyond the Border and in Ireland are longer in their course and bigger than those o f

r r ﬁsh in s ns an s Wales . They grow la ge mo t i t ce , and in the Opinion o f many ﬁshermen they are

r s r u un u bette tocked with t o t , while they do btedly produce more salmon I will freely concede that Welsh salmon and

r u s n an d n s ul t o t ﬁ hi g might be , , i deed , ho d be , i r is er a s very much better than it s . The e , p h p , in more ruthless po aching all the year round 1 —2 4 Fishing in Wales

r Wales than in any othe part o f Great Bri tain . Another cause o f destruction to ﬁsh life is the

rn s s o f l dra na as n o ut mode y tem ﬁe d i ge , poi ted

r f rn b M . s un a r an o y Willi B d , the ch i m the Seve

o f im Board o f Conservators . The retention mature ﬁsh by anglers also tends to depopulat e waters an d to prevent the developmen t o f size

r na a able ﬁsh . Ove the drai ge method we h ve

r an a l a r no control . Indust ies c h rd y be h mpe ed

s als an a m st in the intere t o f ﬁshermen . It is o l o impossible matter to entirely suppress illicit

s r ﬁ hing in emote and wild parts o f the country .

r r ﬁsh - a in in a s is no t r ar Mo eove , po ch g W le eg ded by the bulk o f the people as a form o f robbing ’ s I s r n one s neighbour . n ome parts o f the P i ci pality magistrates do no t care to strongly Oppose popular feeling when a salm on poacher is brought

f r an d n s s are r n be o e them , the ﬁ e impo ed t iﬂi g and no t rr dete ent . An glers are as much addicted to grumbling at bad r us uncer times as farmers . The glo io ’ a n o f s r s u a s n s is t i ty po t , which tim l tes ome mi d , apt to depress others when the uncertainty pre

a s r is n v il th ough a long summer drought . It the that the unphilosophic ﬁsherman is wont to declare that ﬁshing in a given locality is qu ite played Intro ductio n and General Hints 5

’ out . One ars suc co a n s in ales he h mpl i t W . But the complaints are by no means uncommon in an r ar o f K n o I n t s y othe p t the i gd m . do o wi h

s a r rs o f an r u to mi le d b othe the gle . Good t o t

s n and in s seaso ns a al s n- ﬁshin ﬁ hi g, ome c pit ewi g, are n in f r r f s to be e joyed some o the ive s o Wale .

r are ﬁne r utin n t s o n The e t o g le g h the Dee ,

n a D s nni U sk Teiﬁ and s ral Co w y , Dovey , y y , , eve

a s su as Vem iew ala and al ll n l ke , ch , B , T y y , give sport at the proper season to ﬁshermen who take the trouble to learn the waters and to acquaint themselves with the newer methods o f

In wr n fo r th e n o f s n s r en iti g be eﬁt vi iti g ﬁ he m , I shall infringe that rule o f reticence which so me

if ss an rs s ru u us s r . s gle c p lo ly ob e ve I wi h po ible ,

s s r all fa r s r n and in n to how po t to i ﬁ he me , givi g them my experiences on the rivers and lakes

I r s to a I rus a with which p opo e de l , t t th t they will find s and r ns f a r my hin t di ectio o v lue . Ve y probably I m ay be reproached by selfish anglers fo r d scl s n a f ran rs i o i g the h un ts o fish to st ge .

rso nal I am no t al us o f an s r n Pe ly , je o y ﬁ he ma

can a h r ﬁsh m on No r am I who c tch t ee to y e.

r a l n rn t n f r- ﬁshin g e t y co ce ed a the me ace o ove g. The danger to Welsh rivers and llyn s is no t from 6 Fishing in Wales

nu r o f an rs a fr u n the mbe gle th t eq e t their ban ks, but from the poachers who decimate ﬁsh by illegal methods. I believe that an increas e o f keen and intelligent ﬁshermen will tend to the preserva

n o f r rs an r n tio ive d the imp o vement o f ﬁshi g.

s n for a l in a i s r o f a At Fe ti iog, ex mp e, d t ict po ch in r is now a s n lu o f a un r g, the e ﬁ hi g c b h d ed

rs n lu n an o f r n lass. membe , i c di g m y the wo ki g c

s un r an l rs l I s n au n The e h d ed g e wi l , hope , oo gme t

r num r and so f r a o f u n n thei be , o m body p blic opi io opposed to all practices calculated to spoil waters fo r fa r s rm an u ful r the i ﬁ he . M ch use wo k might be done in many other parts o f North Wales by

r an a f r the o g iz tion o t ue sportsmen . I am glad to learn that the trout- ﬁshing in

is r r u in the Dovey steadily imp oving. The t o t

a r r are nowfa r a un an and o f a th t ive i ly b d t , good

ral an rs z - un r u an d weight . Seve gle took po d t o t heavier specimens from the Association preserve

ur n 1 8 in s o f a r an d unfa ur d i g 99 , pite low w te vo

r The u r n s o i o n a able weathe . ppe le gth the C w y at Pentre Voelas also afford capital trout- ﬁshing

r r f n as s o f in the ea lie part o the seaso . B ket

a u f ﬁsh fr o un an d u ar s a bo t ﬁ ty , om 1 p d pw d , h ve

been made in this water during recent years.

are r a un an On the D ysynni also trout ve y b d t , Intro duction and General Hints 7 and ce n s r in s r B give ex lle t po t the p ing. ela Lake has o f late years yielded a large number o f

r u u o un s and Lak rni weighty t o t p to 7 p d , e Ve ew still holds its reputation amongs t anglers in all

ar s of n l n p t E g a d . The visitor should come to Wales provided

a in - s n s r u s an s rt with w d g tocki g , b og e , d a ho

n n t r a mackintosh . He eed o b ing large stock o f s is b t in erent ﬂie . It better to uy hem the diﬁ

al s r su a l a rns are sol fo r loc itie , whe e it b e p tte d n urin r rs an d l n Bi c c la e eighbo g ive l y s. g S ot h k ﬂies are no t o f much use for ﬁshing on Welsh

- a s . u s z es on in da and l ke Medi m i ed ﬂi a w dy y ,

rd n r r u - ﬂies o n a da f r z ll o i a y t o t y o light b ee e , wi

s u i n . As en ral s the do the be t exec t o g e ﬂie , March Brown and the cochybonddu will be found

r u in ve y seful Wales .

r s fo r al s in in D e D The od s mon ﬁ h g the e , ovey , an d Conway need no t be so long as those used

n ann n o r u s is not a o the Sh o Spey , tho gh thi

r an n r t o matter of much impo t ce . A co ve tible d which can be used fo r either salm on o r sea

r u r ser a . of os t o t , is ve y vice ble Some the m t successful Welsh trout ﬁshermen use a long rod with plenty o f spring fo r the D ee an d other big

Fo r la an d urn s n a ten o r streams. ke b ﬁ hi g 8 Fishing in Wales

l n f r il s r Gut as s e eve oot od w l an we well. c t

s ul ﬁne but o f ual fo r s ho d be , good q ity , the e

cl ar r rs and is a s a use ars ut e ive , it mi t ke to co e g

on l s D r - ﬂ s n r l the ake . y y ﬁ hi g is ve y ittle

ra s in r h al s r s al o s o n p cti ed No t W e . C y t h ok ﬁne gut fo r worm- ﬁshing are useful accessories

to the tackle- book

W en s n in la s fr a a a h ﬁ hi g ke om bo t, weight o r heavy stone is usually slung o n a rope over the

tmwale s i s r n ra n g , mid h p , to p eve t too pid motio

f r a n sa s r a s be o e the wind . The bo t the il b o d ide

o n and if r are an rs in raf , the e two gle the c t , o ne should sit in the bow and the other in the

s rn D no t al a s as s in direc te . o w y c t the ﬂie the ’ n o f a s c urs as s a o f tio the bo t o e , the h dow the

f i nd co r la r keel o ten scares b g a y t out . The te al cast from either end o f the skiﬁ is generally the

s fi ti o f s n s is mo t e ec ve mode fi hi g. Thi method ’ less easy than allowing the breeze to blow one s flies on the water ; but the an gler should learn

t his as out a r ss n an d n how to ge c t c o the wi d , eve

ains t n n r z is r l ag t he wi d . Whe the b ee e ve y ight

s ﬂ s ul r nn n t a ingle small y ho d be t ied . Spi i g he

nn ll a ﬁsh in an o f la s On mi ow wi t ke m y the ke . Vem iewLake trolling is restri cted to a speciﬁed

r part o f the wate .

CHAPTER II

THE D EE

IN al n s li ful r r I r s de i g with thi de ght ive , p opo e to describe four lengths o f its course through the

r n r n P i cipality . I will begin with the Co we

r ser a s r c a n o f an n ar P e ve, t et h with le gth b k e u n el l s in s a r po tw ve mi e extent . Thi w te , which is in an s an ass a n n a ns the h d o f oci tio , co t i

r u ra l n a few sa o n and o r r t o t , g y i g, lm , two th ee

n s f s s f rul s ki d o coar e ﬁ h . To quote rom the e and regulations o f the Corwen Fishing Associa , n r s r n n s u s tio , The p e e ve exte ds o the o th ide o f the river Dee from Cynwyd Bridge to the east

un ar of arr a ar an d on n r bo d y C og Uch F m , the o th side o f the river Dee from Cynwyd Bridge to

arr r d n o f Rh a att C og B i ge , with the exceptio g

s a and fr un n o f Alwen and e t te , om the j ctio the

’ D ee af - r to H od Foot b idge . The town o f Corwen nestles under the Berwyn

s on r an o f r are Hill the ight b k the river. The e [ 10 ] The Dee i t two els in C r en ‘ and several boar n hot o w , di g

uses and n is co n eni n l s tua e ho , the tow v e t y i t d as a c n r fo r t r r a es o f e D ec s v e t e heu ppe e ch th , e eral

r s la La r r u ar e an d a . r e has t ib t i , B ke The ive he been preserved by a club for over a quarter o f a n ur ce t y .

nn n ur sur at C n ' a u Begi i g o vey y wyd ,1 bo t two and a alf les b r a fr Cor n we ﬁnd h mi y o d om we , a bro ad reach o f the river admirably adapted

r and r fo r ﬂ - ﬁshin el n o n he e the e y g. B ow Cy wyd,

f n f th e A en the le t bank , we reach the junctio o lw

Alwen is reser b with the Dee . The p ved y the Corwen Association for abou t a quarter o f a mile

- u ri is r a a r. p . Above the foot b dge it p iv te w te

s r u ar r ses in L n Alwn les Thi t ib t y i ly e , nine mi

as o - - r s a rs e t f Bettws y Coed . It eceive the w te o f reni hi fr Ll n Ll nbran the B g, w ch ﬂow om y y ,

erw and Geirw Llan win r the D ydd, the . g B ook

s n Geir i s Alwen ﬂow i to the w, wh ch meet the

’ at s can a n fo r Maerdy . A day leave be obt i ed s f n r s r am r is r fa r ome o these mi o t e s . The e ve y i trouting near Llanﬁhangel Glyn Myfyr and at

rr - - rui n ten i s fr rwn b Ce ig y D dio , m le om Co e y

The Owen Gl n wr n The r y d a d C own. ' Inns Blue L on and Prince of W l Beds at both 1 i a es.

houses. r2 Fishing in Wales

r Ffranan ws n Alwen l oad . The ﬂo i to the be ow

Below the mou th o f the Alwen is a good pool

at a o f a n s ra r a n n the he d lo g, t ight e ch , exte di g to

T r are r u an Corwen Bridge . he e t o t d grayling

in s n and a fo r a n thi le gth , good bottom w di g.

an n o n r n r a an r St di g Co we B idge, we h ve othe

r broad shallow reach below . The T ewyn joins

r o n f an and Camla d the Dee he e the le t b k , the d

n n o n the right ba k . Some excelle t baskets

a e n a in s n r h ve b e m de thi le gth below the B idge . A correspondent to the Field relates the capture

o f twenty- seven trou t between Carrog an d Corwen

o n a u da a was a t hot J ly y . The c tch m de wi h the

nn a fa ur ur r r us as mi ow, vo ite l e he e , eithe ed a

spinning bait o r worked in the sin k- and - draw

h o n l - n n rwn s met d . O e we l k ow Co e ﬁ herman gets handsome creels o f trout from this attractive

n s r a rs are n looki g t etch . W de i dispensable in

s ar o f thi p t the Dee .

L r n r a r a r r is owe dow we e ch deepe w te . The e

a n us o s r n oted pool j t opp ite Co we , below the

ra r n r ilway b idge . Salmo a e occasionally caught r and r are in s he e, the e pike thi portion o f the

r r a few r and ls r h ive , pe ch ee . A b ook called t e Llechog ﬂows in on the right bank From T he Dee 1 3

Corwen down to Carrog there are several deep

ls an d so fine c urs f r - poo , me s o o fly fishing and the clear water worm

ar s fo r an l n fo r r u ra lin The ch ge g i g t o t , g y g,

r an d els are 1 1 5 . fo r th s pike, pe ch , e £ e eason ,

6s. er fo r e and rs . 6d . o F r p we k , ne day . o salm on and sea- r u n lu in t r fi t o t , i c d g he othe sh specified a v the s fo r s r n res n r bo e, ticket fi he me idi g o stay ing within three miles o f Corwen are fo r the season

r f f 6 . 2 o the 1 2s. d n o r the 5 . £ , week , a d day 5 Licenses issued by the Board o f D ee Conservators

- fo r sal n and s r r . r s a n mo ea t out are £1 s pe e so , 1 os .

l and 3 . a l . urin the n r s week y , 5 d i y D g wi te ticket are ran e fo r ra n an a ﬁs a g t d g yli g d co rse h t 5s. f o r r da . fr the season and 1 8. pe y Pike om Octo ber r ra l n ma a 1 4 to Feb uary 1 4. G y i g y be t ken fr r 1 ru Mr. . . ans om Octobe 4 to Feb ary 1 . W J St l rwen is s r ar o f the ass a ﬁe d, Co , the ec et y oci

season fo r r e ins o n ruar 1 The t out b g Feb y 4, and fo r salmon o n April 1 Trou t tickets expire

o n o r 1 an d salm n s on e r 1 . Oct be 3 , o ticket Nov mbe Attendan ts upon ﬁshermen m ay no t ﬁsh withou t

nn and r s n is no t a a ticket . Mi ow wo m ﬁ hi g llowed

l r ﬁsh un r 6 n es in n unti Ap il 1 . All de i ch le gth ar r rn a r and no sal n fr e to be etu ed to the w te , mo y 1 4 Fishing in Wales may be retained under the Fishery Laws and the r f n ules o the associatio . Below Carrog" we come to the ﬁn est length

r r n D s is als s o f t out wate o the ec . Thi o the mo t beautiful part o f the river between Corwen and

sea . l n Dwr n o f l s the G y , the Gle the Dee , ie

n r n rw ns and s betwee the b ow Be y the teep, s a un a ns o f l dian ran h pely mo t i the C wy ge . A few r a s are fai r n but fo r r a r e che ly ope , the g e te part this portion is fringed with coppice and rows

l To fi n fa r r s o f su ss o f aders . sh with a y i p o pect cce the fisherman must wade deeply in several parts o f s s r thi t etch . Coracle fishers have the advantage in this

r s r a r r o n f an as p e e ved w te . F om e o these c v and wicker crafts yo u can cast under the boughs in s a a n pool th t cannot be w ded . The attenda t

andl s o ra s h e the c cle with a paddle while yo u ca t .

If o u are s a n at L an n is a an y t yi g l golle , it good pl to take the m an and the coracle by rail to Carrog o r Gl nd frdw and to ﬁsh s rea n y y y , the t m dow

r n if r s ra an l rs f n to Be wy time pe mit . Co cle g e o te if a a r s in r and Ma . ar m ke he vy c eel Ap il y M ch ,

is a n and s s r u mild , good mo th , ometime t o t will

: M v h Hotel Gro use. A artm ents : rs D a s T Co ta e p . ie , e t g , r o fr P Farm C Ca rog Mrs. G d ey arry, Llan , arrog. The Dee 1 5

rise in this water during cold spring winds. A

i rr f r fis short ro d s usually prefe ed o r co acle hing. Fishermen who wade will find several fine

in n r s r er are streams the Gly dwr P e e ve . Th e o ne o r r runs us l arr but two p etty j t be ow C og, ‘ the ﬁnest water is below Glyndyirdwy Bridge .

m a t a th Mo rw nio n a It y be pointed ou th t e y ,

r u ar s r am on l f an at arr t ib t y t e the e t b k C og,

- r is a u holds some ﬁne sized trout . The ivulet bo t seven miles in length It is preserved by the

Glyndwr Society .

a o r z l win ls can be With go d b ee e b o g, the poo

u often ﬁshed wi th excellent results . B t it is only here and there that o ne can cast over the

r s Th s ar a r deep water f om th e bank . e h p w te

between the trees should be carefully tried . Sometim es the trout rise in the liveliest fashio n

in s ra s and a — un ﬁsh a s a bi the e pid , i po d m ke g

f r u in ﬁght here . There are plenty o t o t the ’ ﬁsh xc s r r . ars e e Society p ese ve Co e , with the p

n o f bi s are ara s ar in th s tio g eel , comp tively c ce i l n s n n o f e gth . It i a pretty sporti g le gth the

r r ll s k a d ar full a b ive , we toc ed , n c e y w tched y

H h M R rs. o tel : Berwyn. Apartments : ydo nen Isa, 1 6 Fishing in Wales

r is an r ll n s r n ar The e othe exce e t t etch e Rhewl , a hamlet on the left bank . The mountain views

r are ar n an d in a in ne a s he e ch mi g, w d g o c tche

s s o f r n s s lls an d glimp e b ow lope , de , wood

ll on r s an s crowned hi s eve y ide . M y angler prefer the Rhewl water to any other stretch o f

G s r s n r r . i f f ﬁ the ly dw P e e ve It ull o sh . The

r is no t r on s l n but wo m p ohibited thi e gth , the

s al a s us in In the ﬂy hould be w y ed preference .

s is no t eas r s bi fi fl pool it y to i e g sh with the y , and r m nn ma r t he e the i ow y be t ied . Bu there is plenty o f scope fo r the fly - rod throughou t

f r s r and no r the whole extent o the p e e ve , bette sport with the ﬂy can be enj oyed in any other

ar l r p t o f the Dee be ow Co wen . When the March Brown is o u t yo u will ﬁnd this stretch a ﬁ delightfulwater to sh .

r an s a s en f Spo t w e tow rd the d o May in the Dee . ll ﬂ s u n a r in ns A ye ow y come po the w te legio ,

r u re lu and is fﬁ ul n u the t o t a g tted , it di c t to i d ce

t an ar ﬁ a l r is a s r them to look a ti ci l u e . It ho t

ut in s r n al a r is a season , b howe y , ge i we the it

o o r u r are ll r t e g od ne . The t o t he e we wo th h

a n and am ﬁsh o n boo k. In un t ki g, g e the J e,

u an d u us o u m a et s r af r a J ly , A g t y y g po t te fr s o r b s n ar in rn n and e het , y ﬁ hi g e ly the mo i g r8 Fishing in Wales

f m an i da r a c ns ra s 8 . r cha ge o li e ed co cle 5 pe y .

All rs n x s as n - rs us n pe o s, e cept e o ticket holde , i g

r us a a fo r ur s a co acle m t t ke ticket the p po e ,

f r al n- ﬁs da . s hin 6d . o price 23 . the y The mo g

r 1 i below Glyndyfrdwy Bridge is eserved . 903 s

f - r s the ﬁ ty ﬁrst year o f strict p eservation . Ticket ar a na at a a Llan ll n o r e obt i ble the Medic l H ll , go e , fr s a n - as rs at rw n Gl n d frdw om the t tio m te Be y , y y y ,

n T e H . r ar is Mr. r a d Carrog. h o n Sec et y Geo ge

s Rh s o n ar Llan n . Wy e , y g g, e golle " From the Chain Bridge at Berwyn to a poin t a quarter o f a mile below Llan gollen Bridge the

is fr a r T i s s r is s n Dee ee w te . h t etch two mile lo g. There are so me good trout in the rocky course o f r r C a n r and in n r the ive below the h i B idge, Pe t e f n B t is eli Pool j u st belo w . u it almost needless to say that this length o f the Dee is very mu ch

s r f n d a ur an rs ﬁ hed both by p o essio al an am te gle .

as nall af r a o u m a et a few Occ io y , te ﬂood, y y g

fish fl r s rs are ns an with the y . Wo m fi he co t tly u and L an l n p down the ban ks. Some l go le fisherm en catch a fair number o f large trou t

the nn us in s n - and - ra with mi ow, ed the i k d w s and r on ﬁne a kl and a l n tyle , with the wo m t c e o g

Ho tel on left bank A artments : T Cra Mrs. . p y ig ( W ndso r i ) . The Dec 1 9 r r u o f n arl un s is s n od . A t o t e y 5 po d to be ee

r s r at al Llan ll n p e e ved the Roy Hotel , go e It was caught with a minnow by the well- known

r f ss nal s r an a c r s in a p o e io ﬁ he m , M do Robe t ,

s all l at r n a n r s . m deep poo Be wy , mo g the ock Pentrefelin Pool harbours some big trout A

r l is n et n ar t r aun s co ac e eeded to g e hei h t . A dozen sea- trout have been taken here in a night

- r D but sea trou t do no t ise well to the ﬂy in the ec .

r is a r at Pe tr felin us a The e wei n e . J t bove the

r E lw se r o r r wei the g y g B ook , Abbey B ook ,

s o n f an r are o an join the le t b k . The e a g od m y s all r u in s r u ar is r a af r m t o t thi t ib t y , which p iv te te

rs o r so u s r r is the ﬁ t mile p t eam . The b ook

r r wn and n ﬁsha l f r r b e a a a n . ove g o , o ly te he vy i In the su mmer a fewgo od trout may be seen r s n in ri t L l n i i g the B dge Pool a lango le . Below Llangollen Weir is a favourite Spot fo r salmon

and sea- r u r a nu r o f ﬁsh t o t . A g e t mbe so metim es

n r a r n a r is a a n co g eg te he e whe the w te low , w iti g

ass s u a ﬂood to i t them p the pass . The poo l is ﬁshed almost all day and night by local an glers

n r r ﬁsh ar r n n a whe mig ato y e unni g up . Ma y he vy takes o f salmon and sea- trout have been made

r a in r and er r he e l te Septembe Octob . Wo m ﬁshing is the usual mode employed by resident 2— 2 20 Fishing in Wales

a s . As s n as r r r s s ass o f dept oo the ive i e , the m

ﬁsh us r wa u salm n a r and p h thei y p the o l dde ,

s r n a a n s e o f dr the ﬁ he me w it the ext p ll y weather. A salmon license is required o n the Llangollen

- r u ﬁs in is fr . r r water. The t o t h g ee The e a e a fair number o f pike in this length and a fewroach

and s eel .

L an ll n is a r ur s u n l go e ve y pict e q e little tow ,

"g and a asan s n - a fo r an r ple t toppi g pl ce the gle . ’ A ﬁve minutes journey by train to Berwyn

r n s o u n r r s r b i g y to the Gly dw P e e ve . There are

six s o f r s r a r n end mile p e e ved w te below the tow ,

in at fn and Cerio can r a b g Ce , the g be e ched y

rail to Glyncerio g o r over the hills o n foot .

r is a s n in ran an a The e good d ce ﬁ hi g the b ch c l ,

i s fr rs s a r n wh ch ﬂow om the Ho e hoe F ll , Be wy , to

un n r s r n n ana the j ctio with the Sh op hi e U io C l .

D a r ssu at r y tickets fo the canal are i ed th eepence .

ars s rm n ll ﬁnd n o f r a a Co e ﬁ he e wi ple ty o ch , d ce, E and pike in the Dee below Llan gollen . lles

r La a un n r is n me e ke , bo di g with pe ch , withi a

s r ra urn . r a n ar s s r ho t il jo ey The Mo d , e O we t y , gives capital sport to trout anglers early in the

is s a f r - season . It more uit ble o worm ﬁshing

f r ﬂ than o the y .

' Hotels : The Ro al The Hand E l s y , , ag e . The Doc 2 1

Fishing visitors should come early in the season

an r u - ﬁshin D ar to Ll gollen for t o t g in the ec . M ch

r and Ma are es n s . r is Ap il , y the b t mo th The e sometimes a spell o f sport in September. The ‘ Cerio is a la r ri r and l s s r ur n g te ve , yie d po t d i g

su r in dr a r. the mme , except y we the The Llan gollen Trout and Grayling Preserva tion Society issue tickets (exclusive o f salmon and sea- trout) at the following rates : Fo r the

l 1 s s n 6d . a . as 1 n l s . l 2s. e o £ , mo th y 5 , week y , d i y Fo r a mile o r so below Llangollen this water is ’ st r n L n s l mo ly deep pools . Cathe i e i go Poo , which excited the interest o f George Borrow

n s a at Llan n f n l s s whe he t yed golle , o te ho d ome

a sa n I is n t u use ﬁsh fo r he vy lmo . t o m ch to

ro u r ﬂ u ﬁsh o f u a t t he e with the y , tho gh p to pound m ay be sometimes tempted with the

nn r r a m a as nal mi ow o the wo m . D ce y be occ io ly ta n r in an n n in su r us n a a ke he e eve i g mme , i g bl ck

n r r t g at o ed ag.

Wh r r r r a ns a r r f e e the ive b o de , bove T evo (le t

an r is a n n o f r u n a r. b k) , the e ice le gth t o ti g w te If trou t are here in any quantity they do no t rise

r fr l ﬂ n s ar s t ve y ee y to the y . The le gth w m wi h s n an r amlets early in the seaso . They give the gle

’ See Chapter o n The Ceriog. 2 2 Fishing in Wales

u r u l and s n ru n a cast o f ﬂ es . m ch t o b e, oo i i I have caught over sixty samlets in this water on a un da us s ru ul usl r urn J e y . They m t be c p o y et ed

r s fo r r ra o f r u to the rive . Sometime eve y b ce t o t

o u ou ll a a f ur ra o f y hook, y wi c tch bout o b ce

The Sun Pool at the end o f this reach is a well

n er ar bi r u r know salmon throw . Th e e g t o t whe e

l ns at the n ut s an the poo wide be d, b the be t ch ce o n o n r o f is r n f getti g e o two them with the wo m . O t e ﬂat el t s o l r ar r u nd a h b ow hi po the e e t o t a d ce , and an unl nu r o f s imited mbe amlets in the spring.

r ss slan l r a a r C o to the i d be ow, ove a b ckw te . an r ‘ d try the sha p run under the right bank .

o u m a t tr Off Y y ge a good out or two there . the lower point o f the islet is a noted place fo r

r - ﬁ hin n r r is l r u wo m s g whe the ive co oured . T o t

n a n a o f over 2 pou ds h ve bee c ught here . About a quarter o f a mile down there is some

r a r n n s a b oken w te betwee wooded ba k . W de f it er an tr fl . I fl is r fus as h e d y the y the y e ed , o f n is is a r o u us r s r the r te in th w te , y m t e o t to wo m and fin t a hre o r f ur s o n e gu . H ve t e o hot the

l n as s r a is r s ar . s u i e , the t e m ve y h p Fi h p s r a if ss an d r r l s t e m , po ible, d op the wo m into ho e

i s s among the b g tone . Some Llangollen ﬁsher T he Dee 2 3 m en n is at r ell ften ta , who k ow th w e w , o ke big trou t here with the worm

ll n r r n on the l ft Fo owi g the ive dow e bank,

a in at ne t l n t o f r u s all w de the x e g h o gh , h ow

a . s is one o f the es s r s for r u w ter Thi b t t etche t o t , but s u n l r f In they often t bbor y e use the ﬂy .

un 1 8 a sh r an o t a n s so bi J e , 99 , ﬁ e m g mo g t me g

r u r o ne n an d au a fe o a t o t he e eve ing, c ght w f

reds inn r is pound apiece with the p e . It a swift run o f a r a and the o f r er is w te to w de , bed the iv rather rough Until yo u come in view o f the aqueduct over

t r is no t u ﬂ fa the Dee he e m ch y water. Some ir trout may be caught here in the rapid streams

a t salm n r s bove he deep o poo l . The bigge ﬁ h

a u r haunt the right bank . Below the q educt the e

are s u - n rs ann sa a ome tro ty looki gscou . I c ot y th t

I a h d s r r or n in an h ve a much po t he e , , i deed , y part o f the Dee below Llangollen Possibly other ﬁshermen m ay fare better. The salmon- ﬁshing in the water preserved by the Llangollen Trout and Grayling Preservation l f Society is reserved by a c u b o limited members .

r n s n s in n There a e several oted almo pool the le gth . Spring salmon are often caught in April an d May

in s as n ra s the bigger run is later the e o . Co cle 24 Fishing in Wales are usually employed for salmon- ﬁshing in this

ar o f r has cl n o f a ars p t the Dee . Spo t de i ed l te ye owing to the pollu tion o f the river by sewage in

al a r and n r ase of ars ﬁsh the tid w te , the i c e co e ,

s all s r a r a nu r o f e peci y pike, which de t oy g e t mbe

f a u u a ns o f s a a r the ry . The cc m l tio ew ge m tte below Chester hinder many salmon and sea- trout

u r a rs a from travelling to the ppe w te . A he vy ﬂood is required to clear the tidal reach o f ﬁlth

r f and to tempt ﬁsh to ascend . The Dee Boa d o Conservators are no t at present able to mend

a rs and r r n o f r r is m tte , the dete io atio the ive

r a l r an rs ll ns ra l b . a g e tly dep o ed y gle Sti , co ide b e number o f salmon are occasionally taken from

n r n l s u the Dee withi the P i cipa ity . Fi h p to 25 pounds weight were caught in the Llan gollen

a rs ur n ne an r a f ur w te d i g 1 899 . O gle c ptured o sal n in one da and ur n a run an mo y , d i g good m y ﬁsh found their way into the higher waters an d

u ar s trib t ie . The same causes that diminish the number o f

Dee salmon probably account fo r the falling- o ff in s r r u e L n ls and po t with t o t b low la gollen . Ee

and r r u n un r u and pike pe ch p ey po the yo g t o t ,

s a ma al s s n ﬁsh u the ew ge y mo t poi o the , tho gh

s is b s n s r n . an ra thi de ied y ome ﬁ he me At y te,

CHAPTER III

T H E M A W D D A C H

RrSING in the bleak Highlands betwixt the

r ni and o bell a r in ar o f A e g Rh F w , the he t

r n s r Maw o r Mawddach as ns Me io eth hi e , the , , h te down the moun tain side till it falls suddenly

60 f e and n a l r o f e t , e ters wi d , wooded go ge

r ar a l au us casca em k b e be ty . J t below the de, the

rs r u ar o f r an irn etuo us ﬁ t t ib t y impo t ce , the p l a n n s its a rs wi Mawddach ittle C i , mi gle w te th , after tumbling over rocks o f more than 1 50 feet ’ in in a fo am n n n s s height i g jet , k ow a the pi tyll , o r s r r pout . Befo e this conﬂuence the main rive is r a un a n urn n ai n n a fa r me ely mo t i b , co t i g i number o f troutlets ; b ut here the bed widens and al rna s in s a u ls all te te m ll , tho gh deep , poo

r u ur s u Ganllw all un l th o gh the pict e q e yd V ey , ti it meets the tide in the broader strath between

a r r s an d Ardudw ran n C de Id i the y ge , the ce to pursue its course to the sea in a sandy estuary [ 3 6 ] T he Mawddach 2 7

fre uen b l - f a in the r e q ted y wi d o wl. At bend go g ,

a ou ils t n 9. ra o rland b t two m e down, he Ede , pid mo

str am ns ain r er o the ri ank . e , joi the m iv , n ght b

Th e old n f t Maw and ame o the stream is he , at its u s an s Aberm r as ax ns mo th t d aw, o , the S o

all ut s stri c it , Barmo h . Visitors to thi di ct ,

es a r n o f r r n on nam d p i i g the Cym ic p o unciati , e the r r as is s el u h n us ren rin ive it p t . The e p o io de g in els ul be s thack and W h wo d o mething like Mou , no t Maw u n n dack as in n l . F r a o , E g ish o b t i e miles up fro m Barmou th the Mawddach is na a l an i s - laun h vig b e, d n ummer a pleasure c ‘ s a s a l Penmaen o o l r a l n te m d i y to p , whe e o g

ri s ans white b dge p the tidal water. With the

exc n o f ass f n e u at eptio b , which o te com p high

a r and ﬂatﬁsh ma S ar b w te , , which y be pe ed y

a rs t er re few ra r ﬁsher w de , h e a att ctions fo the

man in ar i e Penm aen o o l the estu y . It s abo v p that the ﬂy rod can be used with any deﬁnite expectation o f sport with sewin Two miles o r so further up is the highest point reached by the

an r is a n r f a a a r tide, d he e lo g each o w de ble w te

n a ra bed For fl s n t s flowi g over g vel . y fi hi g hi

len fo r an ars as gth is excellen t . But m y ye p t ,

Mr R ( s. ob erts). 2 8 Fishing in Wales until the inj unction upon the Glasdyr Copper

n o f r a was r s Mi e , the bed the e ch cove ed with limy

ra as a r and s r am n a g y w te m tte , the t e ti ged with

r In o f n di ty milky white . time high ﬂood , whe

a s a n in was s the pe t t i m gled with the white , it ome times po ssible to catch a ﬁsh o r two with a

fo r r n n o f Spinning minnow . Be e the p eve tio the pollu tion I have taken sewin in this stretch with

r but was a rar urr n to a ra the wo m , it e occ e ce tt ct a ﬁsh ﬂ d s l ura n n u with the y , the i co o tio bei g m ch

s s S n n ar s o f too deep . Be ide poili g e ly two mile

ﬁsh able a r s as n s a good w te , the e w hi g pl yed

s f s a n r n o va o n mi chie with the p w , cove i g the

r s a s s and so s r n the edd with ticky depo it , de t oyi g

o n a usan s o f s n and r u to sa p te ti l tho d ewi t o t , y n n f l n s r u r u o sa . s othi g mo Thi t o ble , howeve , ho ld

at an end and in a few ars Mawddach be , ye the m a re a n its r u as a s n s r ur n y g i ep te ewi t eam . D i g h a r un r f r r n ns ra r igh w te , de o me co ditio , mig to y ﬁsh were no t always deterred from ascending to the uncontam inated pools in the Ganllwyd Valley bu t in dry weather travelling ﬁsh de tained l s n s r fr s n ss and ass be ow oo lo t thei e h e , umed a sickly hue from the accretions o f slime on their

ar no scales . I he wthat a newsource o f pollution from the Gwynfyn ydd gold - mine threatens to The Mawddach 29 s il h s r but a wn rs are a in po t i rive , th t the o e t k g

s r s l n s fo r ash n s step to p ovide ett i g pit the w i g .

h r r ns narr r r W e e the go ge begi to ow, the ive

r n a s r f r n and ur ul n runs p ese ts e ies o b oke t b e t ,

r and t r a n la l n a n n with he e he e lo g b ck poo , co t i i g

ﬁne ar r f r s in n a i ul rs h bou o ew be e th b g bo de . Th e Mawddach is at all times a rough stream to

ﬁ r r s is n sh . P ogress along the ocky ban k atte ded

s r s o f um in an d r s and un r with ome i k t bl g, t ee de growt h often impede casting o n a likely run

f r rain o n un n s r r r ars n A te the mo tai the ive o dow ,

’ a rr ol ur as sa o n ar r che y c o , they y D tmoo , an d there is much foaming water unﬁshable

i ﬂ su m s the s l r o r w th the y . At ch ti e i ve gold

inn can use eﬂect and a l n s m ow be d with , the t i e d

f r r r o the pools are then in good o de fo the ﬂy .

al n are far fr a un an in Mawddach S mo om b d t the , but there is always the chan ce o f rising o ne when the nets are off in the tidal po rtion and a heavy spate is coming down from the hills The ’ ﬁsh worth the angler s persistent energy during su a a r fr a u l o f un it ble we the , om bo t the midd e J e

end o f r are the s wn a n m u to the Octobe , e i th t p t e s uar r i 2- un s n h e t y with eve y t de . A po d ewi in his sea spangles is a lively ﬁsh to play and net in s ra l n r and n as so es the e b w i gwate s ; whe , metim 30 Fishing in Wales

a ns h e r r is in l r fa urabl h ppe , t ive p y , the b eeze vo e ,

Sk r as and r s are on the y ove c t , the ight ﬂie the ’ as and s r is is r n s c t , po t good , it wo th o e while to spend a long day on the runs between th e

- - r s Co pper Mine bend and the bridge at Tyn y C oe . In this length most o f the record baskets have

n a a n d s inn is r bee m de . A qu i t an co y pe ched

n o f s high on the right bank . Below is o e the be t

s and fr f n ou ma see bi pool , om the e ce y y the g sewin leaping and sporting as the evening shadows brood on the heathery slopes across the brown r r s n s o u in r a un r ive , which i g l dly the avine h d ed feet below the woods o f D o lm elynllyn and the

n r a Tan - — and s n lo ely o d to y Bwlch Fe ti iog. It cannot be said that the Mawddach is no w

r- ﬁ d r r s s M . o n u an he . au an f Nan a ove V gh , , g t

i s for s aso n at a u o f u n as or t cket the e co ple g i e ,

at 3 . 6d . fo r a da as na ur n 3 y . Occ io lly , d i g the

a n s r are f ur o r r s o n holid y mo th , the e o ﬁve od the water after a ﬂood but there are days when you m ay roam fo r miles without meeting a brother

r angle . The ﬂies most in vogue are o f the Welsh

s n a rns s a r and o f d um ewi p tte , omewh t b ight me i

s z a f un ra ra ran i e . I h ve o d the g y d ke, the o ge

and al ar and ar r n i l m l d , the M ch B ow , with a l tt e

is the od a us fu r in gold tw t to b y , e l t io to keep the The Mawddach 3 1

n r book . Whe the wate is low o rdinary trou t ﬂies will often lure a brace o r two o f sewin in

But in se s in the evening. win ﬁ hing the Mawd

a as lse r is r an to re e r d ch , e whe e, it impo t t m mbe that little sport can be expected when the stream is at dry weather level and the days hot and

r f ionals u l ss. r s s su h as clo d e Expe t p o e , c Mado c

er s ar er con r ve et se Rob t , the h p , t i to g win with the worm an d ﬁne tackle under the most discourag ing conditions of weather and water ; but the novice must humbly confes s himself out o f it unless re is a fa r us of a er in the i p h w t the runs. The only chance at other times is in night ﬁshing

l flies and f as n with ight de t c ti g. It is diflicult to determine the average weight o f se in th Mawdda Let us sa the win e ch . y a o u a n r fish n u in b t pou d . The bigge , i cl d g an asi nal - un r are os au in occ o 3 po de , m tly c ght

B rrn uth se a esca n s the a o nets. Tho th t pe the et

nclu a fa r r r - ﬁs i de i p opo tion o f 2 pound h . With o ut dou bt the worm ﬁshers make the heaviest

as s a n s as n r u b t ﬂ b ket , t ki g the e o th o gh u the y is r nerall us on res r ed a r mo e ge y ed the p e v w te . I have known a catch o f ﬁfteen sewin taken with

f urs r n a ﬂood the Devon minnow in a ewho du i g . Fly ﬁshermen are usually co ntented if they take 32 Fishing in Wales

fr r ra . r are o f ur om two to th ee b ce The e , co se, those rare red - letter days when the sewin dart

But savagely at the ﬂies . against these very infrequent experiences o ne has to set a longish

s o f lan a s and r a s r is no li t b k d y poo d y . The e t

u o f en o f r a n in s n- ﬁshin m ch the elem t ce t i ty ewi g. r Times are no t as they we e .

If Mawddach is no t r-ﬁshed the ove , it is, nu f r un a l ns ra a b n rs . o t te y , co ide bly po ched y mi e Six keepers could hardly cope with the practice

r is o f sna n . O a n u and r tchi g The pe tio q ick , the e is no cum bersome paraphernalia to drag about An adept at snatching will beat any fai r ﬁsherman ’ f a u on the river in respect o takes . The B rmo th netsm en and the poachers abo ve get most o f the

fun r is . r the Ma d when the wate low Howeve , w dach is no exception to the general rule in this

a r and an r us un u n es m tte , the gle m t co t po th e adverse conditions while he consoles himself that his chance comes no w and again with a Spate

d bi n f ﬁsh u r t r r an a g ru o to the ppe wa e . The e " are good hotels at Dolgelly under two miles fr s r a and u ar rs at T n- - r s om the t e m , q te the y y C oe

rl n r r. Hotel , ove ooki g the ive Brown trou t are no t very plentiful in th e

Ho l L on An el. A r m nts : Frondirio n. te s : Golden i , g pa t e

CHAPTER IV

RED FINS AT DO LGELLY

THERE are many anglers o f wide an d vari ed

r n a n an a ua n an e s ral expe ie ce, h vi g cq i t c with eve

' a S s o f salmom dee a n r ar loc l pecie , who h ve eve he d

’ o f redﬁn Wh was a nio n . n W s e I told th t the ,

s r u a un s in which ﬂow th o gh Dolgelly , bo d the s ri n - a n o f s r r u a p g time with ki d ilve y t o t , with

’ red ﬁn n ar a was s s e the t il , I di po ed to believe

a r f But th t these fish we e the youn g o sewin . upon inquiry I discovered that th e redfin is a fish that has puzzled several distinguished ichthy

s s ran u an and Cholrnondele ologi t . F k B ckl d y Pennell have recognised a new vari ety o f the sal n fa in h s s r us ﬁsh mo mily t i my te io little , which is only to be found in the Wnion and the tidal waters o f the Mawddach between the begin

f ruar an f a Fo r ning o Feb y d the middle o M y .

im r al r as some t e past M . C de wood h devoted

’ ns ra s u s n f r r u co ide ble t dy to thi ki d o silve y t o t . [ 34 ] Redfins at DOM ? 3S an d I understand that he will shortly publish the res ult o f his research The local theo ry of the redfin classification is that the fish is a cross between the brown trou t and the sewin o r Selma

' es s fo r Cambn cs s. I give this hypoth i what it is

r fran l c nfessin t a to me is laus l wo th , k y o g h t it p ib e

o n can though no t c nvinci g. I only state that I

a au a n d and a n a r h ve c ght , ex mi e , e te ve y fai r nu r o f redﬁns and a in f r t mbe , th t, allow g o i s

t c is rarel r o und r weigh , whi h y ove p , the e is no t a pluckier gam e fish in any river whereon I have cast a fly . My first experience o f sport with redfins was

r during the sp ing o f 1 897 . It was too early in

s as n fo r s n and r u in Wnio n the e o ewi , the t o t the ,

if a un an are not o f a s r in s ze. f b d t , po t g i I there ore

k a c of a s r l al s rman and too the dvi e h ewd oc ﬁ he , obtained leave to ﬁsh a stretch o f the Wnio n near

its n u nc Ma ddach I s to co ﬂ e e with the w . t wa a

r ri warm evening ea ly in Ap l. Cader Idris was

en b a av s and a ntl dr zzl f hidd y he y mi t , ge e i e ell i vall s ream r r n the ey . The t mu mured ove a

ra l swrlin r and re ar un bi g ve bed , i g he e the o d g ’ n m fr n s n s s . ll wn un n I to e Fo o i g y ie d i j ctio , had

u a ﬁne as lu u r a ﬁtted p c t with the b e p ight , ’ ar ear an a r and r- r h e s d b dge , the eve eli able 3 - 2 36 Fishing in Wales

c h b nddu Fo r an ur I as u oc y o . ho c t witho t

r s n a ﬁsh and an am r i i g , I beg to bl e the d izzle,

and to suspect the oncoming o f a downpour. But at length there was a twitch at the blue

u r and in r o r f ur s n s I a p ight , th ee o eco d h d whipped

o ut a r - un ﬁ h a as b ight 2 o ce s . Sm ll this specimen

r was r as an l and ns p oved , I ve y ple ed to h d e i pect

m rs redﬁn as as r as a fr s - run y ﬁ t . It w b ight e h

sa n a u n al n a s lmo , with bl e ti ge o g the b ck , ome

fa n s red s s ss s n an s u n i ti h pot , le di ti ct th tho e po

a r u and ara r s red au a ﬁn . t o t , the ch cte i tic c d l

And now a n f un a s al o f redﬁn s , h vi g o d ho , I

as n in was busily engaged fo r an hour. Fl hi g the s a s s ra s an d a n a f h llow like p t , le pi g oot high in air rr ﬁsh as m s the , the me y little ch ed y ﬂie

s m f In a run o f a u fo r almo t to y eet . bo t ty yards the redﬁn s were so crowded that in o ne cast I foul- hooked o ne in the tail and another in

ra s h ad a ra o n at the back ﬁn . Seve l time I b ce

n en b o o ked redﬁn a s a o ce . Wh , the beh ve like

’ - - sea ru o r ra r r so . If a 2 un s n t o t , the mo e po d ewi f u u u and rus an o ght , t gged , j mped , hed with energy comparatively proportionate to that di s

a b a o und redﬁn r u no pl yed y f p , the e wo ld be

r as an o f holding him o n an ordinary t ou t c t . M y the ﬁsh that I took that evening j umped quite Redfins at Do lgelly 37

as as a sea- r u and a c as n for high t o t , g ve o c io

ar ful an l n o n ﬁne ut and a s r c e h d i g g ho t , whippy

rod .

When the darkness deepened with a heavy

s r fr a rin cl u I u urn m howe om lowe g o d , pt ed y

r an d un on a l ach . c eel , co ted the catch pebb y be I had taken thirty - one redﬁns and four brown

r u B t s ans a n r t o t . u thi is by no me otewo thy ’ performance fo r an evening s ﬁshing when the

redﬁn un s are going down to the sea . A h dred

in a da s f r r a fas and 2 1 un s y , ixty be o e b e k t , po d weight in a fewhours are the sort o f baskets made

b r f l . fa as s s y Dolgelly o k So weight goe , the be t

a a ar o f was o ne o f un s t ke I h ve he d 7 po d , the

nu r f ﬁs n n - s mbe o h bei g twe ty eight . Thi catch

was a at end o f ruar ar m de the Feb y . Tow ds the

end o f r ﬁsh are ss n ful and at Ap il the le ple ti , the

end o f Ma n t in red is s n y o a s gle ﬁn to be ee . What becomes o f them There is no doubt that

s B t f r na urn they go to the ea . u be o e the ﬁ l jo ey

ba s als s n fo r s s an to the y , the ho de ce d ome di t ce

in s uar an d r urn a a n rs o f the e t y , et g i with the ﬁ t

- r the ﬂoo d tide . As soon as the salt wate begins

r wi fr s has n n a to me ge th the e h, it bee oticed th t ﬂ s the redﬁns cease to rise to the y . They al o seem to dislike the discoloured water o f the rising 38 Fishing in Wales

s for s als are u u l ll in an c o f tide , the ho s al y we adv e the floo d . In April redfins have been caught with the sea- i u n ir s s s a ars r l ce po the cale . Thi ppe to p ove that the fish pay brief visits to the sea before the

n l r n n r ain ﬁ a mig atio . I have bee unable to asce t deﬁnitely the period when they return to the river fo r s a o r sa r s a n n p wning. N can I y whe e the p w i g

r un s ar s g o d e ituated . I have caught redﬁns in small contributory

r s r and ﬂ and n b ook , both with the wo m the y , o ce

I o ne o n a n nn u hooked Devo mi ow . A m ch favoured point fo r the shoals is at the j unction o f Wnio n Mawddach a u the with the , bo t two

l s l r n a s ff r z mi e be ow Dolgelly . He e , whe ti b ee e is in u - s r a r s n an l rs f n a blow g p t e m , e ide t g e o te m ke

o f r s use ra r heavy baskets . Some the expe t the l r r u - ﬂies in s bi r u wa r on n a ge t o t thi g, o gh te wi dy

r- l ur s in m own ex eri a s . d y Sobe co o ed ﬂie , y p

k ll r an ri n s. redﬁn ence , i bette th b ght o e The

n r n seems attracted by di gy blues o duns . O the

is an n fish Its s redfin ll . table the exce e t fle h ,

n fr is o f a l in r s l n n whe ied , ight p k , e emb i g the ti t o f some lake trout rather than the ﬂesh - colour

s l n o f cooked a mo . C H A PT E R V

T HE WNIO N

T HE ni n ar W o and its mountain tribut ies, as

r u s s r a l s a . r i t o t treams, de e ve ittle p ce The e s about half a mile o f free water o n the course o f

s r a r u l is n l ss sa the t e m th o gh Dolge ly . It eed e to y

a is u o erﬁsh u n nd en o ne th t it m ch v ed , b t o wa th m a a al r u y c tch a sewin in this reach . Sm l t o t s ar in r f i a an w m some pa ts o the Wn o n . T ke

ar ra n D r s- - an o n h rn n aft r e ly t i to w y N t, t e mo i g e

a ra n an ﬁ h r inn he vy i , d s up the rive towards the o n n a a the Bala Road . Y o u are certai to c tch sc ore o r so o f ﬁngerling trout in a short time .

B a ut there are better ﬁsh in the water. I h ve taken trout up to 5 pound each half a mile

- a i r re no t s ar . bove the nn, and i pounde s a c ce A professional ﬁsherman from Bala makes heavy

nio n usin catches in this reach o f the W , g the

a r r s in worm and light tackle . Clear w te wo m ﬁ h g

n fu n s and co ch will succeed here i skil l ha d , the y [ 39 ] 40 Fishing in Wales ho nddu and redspinner ﬂies will help to half ﬁll

r n s r ami n n af r a the c eel whe the t e s ﬁ i g te ﬂood .

nio n is a r ro r er fo r ro u The W ve y p ductive iv t t, but hundreds o f the ﬁsh seem to remain o f an immature Size .

Any o f the mountain broo ks above D rws- y

r ﬂ r N ant Station will give spo t with the y o worm . I have taken some plump little tro ut fro m the

f n r tributary stream o n the le t ba k o f the iver. A Do lgelly ﬁsherman tells me that in his young days he often caught fro m seventy to a hundred

a in r n trout during a d y this b o o k . M a y o f the large takes from these streams are made with a black ﬂy tipped with a live maggo t . No do ubt the trout take this lure fo r the perfect insect

e emerging fro m the caddis. So metim s the ﬂy is

n f he a tipped with white ﬂo ss i stead o t m ggo t .

u a run o n r an r IS a J st bove the , the ight b k , the e

r n r brook called the D du . It has a Sho t a d apid

r b t i s o o s e r u . are cou se, u t p l te m with t o t They

r a sh o f o n in no t monste s. I h ve caught ﬁ p u d

r a all o f s r u ar s this st e mlet, which , like the e t ib t ie ,

f r is a perfect nursery o tro utlets .

n n ur n s r n Now a d the , d i g the umme mo ths, a

r n n - - big ﬂo od will b i g sewi up to D rws y N ant . The ﬁsherman need be so o n by the river if he

42 Fishing in Wales

s o r vi it to Dolgelly o r Barmo uth . Two miles fr at the la o f Llanelt i om Dolgelly, vil ge yd , there s a s a r m ll b ook o n the right bank o f the river. It is u r r n nd has ro u an s r m ch ove g ow a gh b k . The e are s bi r u in r o o s o f a un ome g t o t, the highe p l , po d

an d a r. are no as a weight he vie They t e y to c tch , but no wand again they will take the worm when th a r is e w te thick .

L r o n n s n f Mawd owe d w , o the ame ba k o the

a is fo n na o r o r r a o u d ch, A My ch, the B th B ook, b t fo ur l in l n n r an mi es e gth, and ﬂowi g th ough ex

eedin l u f r is e c g y bea ti ul gorge . This st eam w ll

r ro o s supplied with trout o f the o dinary b k ize, and it has been re stocked duri ng recent years .

na is a r a a r but can The My ch p iv te w te , it be fished by o btaining leave h' o m the lessee o f the

n s n s o r shooting and ﬁshing. Sho rt wadi g tocki g indiarubber knee - boots are useful in ﬁshing this

r a as an s fo r a u l s u are st e m , the b k bo t two mi e p

r n s n r steep and ugged . Beyo d the eco d b idge, the

r Mynach is more open fo r ﬂy ﬁshing. A sho t ro d and a short cast will do the most executio n

n r in o f a ar ara r i this b ook, as thers o simil ch cte

i s r n the di t ict .

n n r u r n r The ext co t ib to y stream , o the ight

an i a n D a . In r b k, s t Bo t du h mlet the lowe part T he Wnio n 43 it is unﬁsh ble n i ro an s a , owi g to the h gh cky b k

and r r . r o u he s r a the ove g owth A mile o s p, t t e m

fl ws hr u en val and ere fl can o t o gh an op ley , h the y b use is r l m un ai n urn e d . It a p etty ittle o t b , swar n ma r a m n r mi g with s ll t out . I know i e who has au f r u in r in a u le o f c ght fi ty t o t this b ook , co p

o urs aft r n r ra n . h , e a thu de storm and heavy i Pro ceeding from Dolgelly o n the left bank o f

awddach a n n o l and c the M , we p ss Pe mae p o , ome

a raw n l r r n fr n Gadr to b li g litt e ive , ﬂo wi g om Lly , un r r s r u de the p ecipices o f Cader Idris. Thi iv let

o n a ns a nu r f r u but is u c t i good mbe o t o t, it m ch

r r o s are ove grown fo three miles o f its course . S le so metimes speared at the mouth o f the brook by ﬁshermen who wade into the tide up to their

chests .

f w s far r n r i ennan ns A e mile the dow , the C e g joi h the Mawddac at the village o f Arthog. The brook is preserved fo r visitors to the Arthog H all

but an be b r rs ns Hotel, it c ﬁshed y othe pe o

f I r da . r a r s in n o r S . pe y This st e m ise Lly

C ri and is o n r ra n n n y , j i ed by the b ook d i i g Lly

i n A n Cre ge nan. s these lakes have bee stocked

n ro u r i al a s an with Loch Leve t t , the e s w y the ch ce

o f ﬁnding fair- sized ﬁsh in the streams that issue

fr r o f Crei ennan om them . The highe part the g 44 Fishing in Wales

abounds with the little black native brook

trout . There is only o ne more brook worthy o f

in n ur o f i u r the eighbo hood Dolgelly . It s the ppe

part o f the stream that runs by the well - known

rr n al and is fr fr r ss s To e t W k, it ee om the C o Foxe

Inn its s ur . inn r i to o ce Below the , the b ook s

s r f n t ictly preserved by the owner. A ter rai this water gives some sport with trout o f about six to

the po und .

a alr a n n in r I h ve e dy me tio ed, the chapte o n

Mawddach a s n en f the , ewi l gth o the Wnio n at

Dolgelly . I have had good sport o n this stretch in u and J ly August . September is often a CHAPTER VI

T HE LAKES O F CADER IDRIS

SEVE RAL mountain llyns can be reached from

ar u r and . ar n fr B mo th , A thog, Dolgelly St ti g om

l a a r r a n l n G rn Do gelly , t ke the C de o d u ti Lly we o n comes into sight at a distance o f about three

s fr n . s is ar n mile om the tow Thi a ch mi g pool,

t o ne end r- nd r dotted a with wate lilies, a g own

n n a with rushes alo g o e o f its banks. A bo t

can r f r s. r a an s ar be hi ed o a pe d y, d thi ch ge includes leave to ﬁsh the lake . The Gwerno n

r u a h r u r z i t o t are somewh t s y . A o gh b ee e s

ss n ial r an a l s ul ﬁn e e t to spo t , d the t ck e ho d be e. I have seen a very remarkable evening rise upon

i n al s surf th s water, whe mo t the whole ace o f the lake was ringed by plunging ﬁsh pursuing

r l the small dun gnat . There a e p enty o f

- n in n an s r r i pou ders the lly , d ome bigge t out

e f la i als a un n ar o ten caught . The ke s o bo di g with

r n f small perch and many eels . Pe ch ofte eed [ 45 ] 46 Fishing in Wales voracio usly in Gwerno n during still warm weather

en r u n is o u o f he ue o n T wh t o ti g t t q sti . he views o f a r and o r s an un a ns fr C de the m e di t t mo t i , o m the e e o f are r au fu s a l v l the pool, ve y be ti l, e peci lly

n n r at su set i su mme .

n Gafr o r the a o f a s s l f Lly , L ke Go t , lie to the e t o f a en a to su o f a er r the be t p th the mmit C d Id is.

s arn i al and r n e an Thi t s Sh low, g ow with we ds d

rus s in n r . r u are s al he the ce t e The t o t m l, but very plentiful. I have made fair baskets here in a l r b a n o ut a ight b eeze, y w di g bove the knees an as n o r d c ti g int the deepe water. A maggot tipped ﬂy kills well here in April and May befo re

s a r n a e a r r the weed h ve g ow bov w te . Late o n an s as nab ies if no t dr ss ar y e o le ﬂ , e ed too l ge, serve very well . O n a calm June day I have

a un r s o f r u r s n in f w tched h d ed t o t i i g Ga r. But

s is no t a o o n o f s r fo r n o u thi g d ome po t, whe y can see ﬁsh rising the water is too placid fo r

n ﬂ casti g the y . O ne angler kno wn to me has returned from

Llyn Gaft with a creel- full o f trout caught in clear

r a n ho t weather with the wo m " I h ve ever used

r in s a . aft is f n o r and the wo m thi l ke G o te tte ed,

a a sus n a s s I h ve picio th t it i ometimes netted .

r u a ar n r as r r Still, the t o t ppe to i c e e ve y apidly . T he Lakes o f Cadet Idris 47

' It is a stiﬂ climb from this pool up to Llyn

e r a s r and ra er ru G d , omb e th g eso me lake under

' r i r f owning cliﬂs . Gedr s ve y deep a few yards

o ut fr its s r s. a r is u s n h om ho e The w te bl i h, a d t e

fre fr s in s bottom e om weed mo t parts. Trout r se er u as un ril in aft i h e q ite h g y as G . They are

an un a s n an le , sh pely pecime s, d so mewhat insipid

n n h f o n the table. Whe keenly o t e eed these trout will dart up from the depths at any sort o f

' fly o flered to them . After seizing the fly they

re n a and l a bo dow ste dily, se dom le p out o f the water. A sto ny point j utting o ut o n the right Side o f the llyn i s a capital casting- place with almost any

n a a n o o n a r wi d th t h ppe s t be bl wi g. St y the e

n ﬁ h r u til the s cease to come eadily at the ﬂies.

A n n r s f fr s soo as they are put dow , o hi t om this

n tr s r un r r . poi t, y the ho e de the p ecipice I have

' caught the biggest trout under the cliﬂ during a

ne da ﬁ h rough wind . O y I took ﬁve s here in

n nu s o n an ar a Ma ﬂ in h about te mi te , tiﬁci l y y, t e month o f August " This incident should prove that there is no occasion to be fastidious about

f s f r use in n G the choice o ﬂie o Lly adr. How

r i is n c ssar use s all s n the eve , t e e y to m ﬂie whe breeze is light. 48 Fishing in Wales

A scarcity o f foo d accounts fo r the leanness o f the tro ut in this elevated tarn . Few natural ﬂies

s en r a r and h are to be e ove the w te , as t e lake is only fed by rills from the cliff there is no t much

n n a i inﬂux o f aquatic i sects after rai s. G dr s over s o alf- s ar ﬁsh and i r t cked with h t ved , it s p o bable

a a n s r th t po chi g doe ve y little harm to the lake .

fo r un a r is and r Be e J e the w te cold, the t o ut do

r no t ise to the surface. I have found the ﬁsh r n l r in r isi g wel he e Septembe . T o walk fro m Dolgelly to Llyn Gadr in hot

B r i u weather is no light exertion . ut the e s sually a co o l and delicio us air at this height above the

ea and the o n n ss o f a s has its s , l eli e the l ke ide

ar o n er rn n r u er r ch m a summ afte oo . C ows tt thei

ars r s far u ra s and f ho e c ie p the c g , the bleat o B sheep is echoed among the cliffs. y climbing

ro s u a n a o f sea the the ck yo g i wide view the ,

o f Ardudw rans and a mountains y , the A , the l kes

is a s n a n above Arthog. It ce e th t o e vividly

r remembe s.

- - ae is o n s s o f a r Llyn y C the oppo ite ide C de ,

- To a almost in a bee line fro m Llyn Gadr. re ch

’ n ro u o s a to su o f it , asce d the gh F x P th the mmit

n ain and ﬁnd o ur wa n o ne o f the mo u t , y y dow the

a s n u a a gullies. The l ke lie be eath yo , bl ck,

50 Fishing in Wales

man h as left unto uched . Your companions are

s n r s - r s the olem c ag , t he sto ne chats, c ow , bank s,

and s - f r emi wild sheep . I yo u are a love o f stem

o r t rr l s n r the rs s n e ib e ce e y, hou pe t by these tarns

l n n wi l ot soon be forgotte .

ll r l n n n r n h I wi me e y me tio Lly A a , whic lies to f the east o the summit o f Cader. It is a square

s a a a r h ped l ke with shallow w te . I have never

s in ran but I am a ﬁ hed A , told th t it contains

r u . All a erno n r t o t these l kes, except Gw , a e free to the ﬁsherman .

n s a r are The Creige nan Lake , bove A thog, most easily reached from Dolgelly o r Barmouth by

h s taking train to Arthog. T e e lakes can be

n f ﬁshed from the shores at a payme t o 25 . a da b . c a at r y, y ticket pur has ble the A thog Hall

n - lace fo r a few a s in Hotel, a pleasant resti g p d y

ul o is an ra ar fo r J y r August. There ext ch ge the

s us use o f boats o n the lake . The best ﬂie to e here are the " ulu and co chybo nddu dressed

i are a el. r rather b g. Flies sold t the hot The e

- in la s and are plenty o f é pound ﬁsh the ke , some o f the stock turned in at different times

l s r must have grown to a good siz e . Mi d, howe y

a re s rs we ther, with a fresh b ez e between the howe , is the f time to choose o r Creigennan. Some good The Lakes o f Cader Idris 5 1

ﬁsh s r 3 lan n b r a po t 0 the is d, which ca e e ched by

Ste n - s n n th i ppi g to es whe e water s lo w. The

o r are ﬁrm - sh es and heather grown .

l n C ri is a all r la a L y y sm e ke t a higher altitude .

r a f ll r u fr r To e ch it, o ow the st eam p om A thog, an r s r r d c os the ough swampy g ound . The llyn is

s al in arts and n a . h low p , ca be w ded The best s r can n be n o e re b n an n po t o ly e j y d he y wadi g, d o i a favourable day some b g trout may be taken .

in d u a f n l Weeds grow the pool, an yo m y o te start e

' r h e r a wild duck ﬁ o m the ushes. T er a e so me

ﬁn r u n l tarn hi is no e t o t i this ittle , w ch t so much frequented by ﬁshermen as the lower Arthog

. ri is a lu and f ll lakes Cy sec ded beauti ul yn, Sheltered o n the south and west sides by ridges o f

unf una n n he Cedar. It is ort tely ofte calm whe t lower lakes are rumed . CHAPTER VII

SALMO SE AN T N , WIN, D TRO U AT BEDDGELERT

AN - r a f old wo ld vill ge, begirt by the lo tiest moun

a ns o f n n r u s n t i the S owdo g o p, with to e ho uses clustered about the j unction o f the Glaslyn and

n r r a ur r an a Colwy ive s, pict esque b idge, d tumble

n be a r n r i sa dow mill low g ee pool, whe e b g lmon — sport such is Beddgelert . Remote from the

’ s r n r n ra re ai n n all ar h ieki g, g idi g il , t i g the ch m o f r a an ru n its o r r A c di de ess, despite two th ee " rn ar n - us s el r s but mode bo di g ho e , Beddg e t exhibit slight changes since George Bo rrow encountered

ar r at and ar s the milit y p ig the hotel , Ch le Kingsley and Tom Taylor hobnobbed with D afyd

n l r o f n o n and a d Huw, c imbed the c ags S owd , caught trout in the Gwynant lakes . Yet the fame o f this sequestered valley has been published

’ Ho tels : The Ro al Go at Saracen s Head Pr nce y , , i

Ll wl n . A w Mrs . W ll ams Mrs. e y partments : Plas Co l yn ( i i ), Ho wel P w l F o l S. o nes . e , Sygan awr (Mrs. J ) [ 52 ] e B ddgelert : Salmon, Sewin, and Tro ut 53

r u u n l s s ea n n th o gho t the E g i h p ki g natio s, for

’ r r can us ns n r ai n he e come Ame i co i doi g B it , and

n al- o rn es n an s o f r s rs l re colo i b d ce d t B iti he , to exp o

n n a an tr e n S owdo i , d to av l he ce by coach through

ass s a el ur Llan ri s an the wild p e to C p C ig, be , d

- - s e . e ur n a a he Bettw y Co d Twic d i g the d y, t t

n and n o f a rful rn comi g goi g the co ch , the chee ho

a s the e es am n bills as e w ke cho o g the , the whit hatted driver tools his four bays over the narrow

ri a s ans o n . r s b dge th t p the C lwy At othe time , save fo r the infrequent call o f a shepherd o n the

un o es s r e o f a a an mo tai n sl p , the c e ch j y, d the voice o f a child singing a quaint Welsh hymn in a n r ke a is r s and S n an mi o y, the h mlet d ow y ile t, d

az l s s ra l in r a a and D f d l y col ie p w the o dw y, a y

n r r a n lea s ove the b idge, w tchi g the eels that writhe and wriggle among the stones that strew the river bed . I wass seen a ﬁne salmon and many sewins

’ n sa s D af d n a uff o f last ight , y y , blowi g p Amlwch

- o fr his e . Y es inteet er is shag sm ke om pip , , th e

n plenty big ﬁshes in the river o w. I shall go in

’ a r . D af d is u r the night with wo m y q ite ight . Since the ﬂoo ds o f the latter end o f J une there had been a great run o f salmon and sea-trout up

f re S a s an ﬁsh r the Glaslyn . Be o the p te m y we e 54 Fishing in Wales lying in the pools o f that romantic stretch o f the river between the precipices that fro wn down o n

ass o f Aber lasl n . In n a the P g y the eve ing, s the

as n s o f n rfu sun f o l t ti t the wo de l sets aded, y u

u see sea r u o f all s fr co ld the t o t weight , om

1 n u un l o u fr nea pou d p to 4 po ds, g ide t om be th

he u s and e n r n r s l ss t bo lder , b gi thei ightly e t e questing fo r a passage o f escape from the pools.

s as r s ar n n a r a s n A pl h b eak the d ke i g w te , almo

ur f n air and un i a n h ls himsel i to the pl ges n gai , an r uff n s r a as u in as ra g ily b eti g the t e m, tho gh ex pe

hi An tion at the delay in s journey to the lakes . d when only a luminous gleam in the west marks

r sun san n a s a whe e the k behi d the pe k , the he vy splashes o f ﬁsh are repeated at more frequent

n r a s no w a d a a n w rr f i te v l , while n g i the hi o a

e r n a s a an an r r u ch ck eel i tim te th t gle , c o ched

- n a r has s ru a sea r u . n behi d ock, t ck t o t The

n o f a rs a as o f r follows a troubli g the w te , ﬂ h silve

f a s ra n n o f r n 3 eet above the pool, t i i g the g ee

a fur us r s o f ﬁsh an r a heart , io u h the , othe le p,

s a r r o f n and - un a te dy ecove y li e , the 3 po d sewin

n i - r n n n - ﬂo ps i to the b g i ged la di g net .

' Opinions diﬁer amo ng ﬁshermen concerning this

- n night angling fo r sea trout . O ne ma will tell yo u that the sport scarcely compensates fo r the isc f r s o f r n ab u in the l o m f n d om o t g opi g o t g o , o uli g

’ ’ n s a l an sin n s ns n o e t ck e, d brui g o e s hi o the

ul ers l ri s o f in ﬁsh in bo d , whi e the k los g such a rough place is greatly increased when the eye cannot followevery rush and ruse o f the ﬁghting

r . But o n r han n c urnal p ey , the othe d, o t ﬁshing has its n u ia s an e r th a e th s st , d at B ddgele t e n tives s n ur f n a er i l eldom ve t e a ter sewin whe the wt s ow, x f e cept under the screen o a cloudy sky at night . U ndoubtedly the biggest baskets from the Glaslyn are ad in ar n ess as f n a ns m e the d k, u l , o te h ppe , the river is swollen by a steady downpo ur o f rain fr om the mountains.

f a i n r A ter spate c ond tions are e ti ely changed.

asl n s ra and s r n f a n The Gl y ﬁll pidly, wi li g, o mi g, an d u n r n r t mbli g, it ushes dow the go ge from

n n r n he S owdo , b immi g t two lovely lakes in the

’ Gw nant val and n o n r u a y e, flowi g th o gh the fl ts, the flood- waters merge with the tide creeping up fr In n 1 8 af r a un r om Portmado c . Ju e , 99 , te th de st r an l an s u s r an arr o m, a ert d a t te fi he m , who ived opportunely o n the bank with his rod and bag o f

r u 1 1 un s o f sea- r u in an u wo ms, ca ght } po d t o t ho r

i s. B o r so . H s biggest fish was 4} pound ut who among wielders o f the fly ro d would elect to go worming in floo d water when there is a fair 56 Fishing in Wales chance o f capturing sea-trout with the fly ? The

’ two forms o f fishing will no t bear a moment s comparison . Given a ruffle o n the flats na a n n f mely, th t deep a d glidi g reach o the — Glaslyn belo w the Pass fish will rise well to

re n and a ar ra ra and the g e m ll d, the g y d ke, the

ran a u o far o ge and mall rd ﬂies . B t s as the

’ r s n r r s e er n o s is an rro r p e e t w ite xp ie ce g e , it e to use the o rdinary big and gaudy lures described

’ ’ - r - in ta kle make s catalo gues as sea trout ﬂies. ‘c n as n a all n r a r is O the Gl ly , t eve ts, whe e the w te s l u s a ne v n in a s a fa r ﬁne e dom m ch t i d e e p te, i ly

n l h tackle a d small flies will ki l the most fis . Casting the worm in the dark is a mo de o f angling with which I am no t well acquainted . But this is the method chiefly favoured by local

r n and r is no u s o n as its ﬁshe me , the e q e ti to

s r is afﬁ o a success . Sometime the wo m xed t

n e a a is ho o k mou t d with biggish ﬂy . The b it cast into mid- stream and Slowly worked a few

In inches below the surface. the daytime such

s n u r us ss but at n ﬁ hi g wo ld p ove ele , ight the inquisitive sewin seem dispo sed to rush at any thing jerked along through the water o f the deep pools. At such times when the streams are lo w and

58 Fishing in Wales

n u in s ak and af r weight have bee ca ght thi l e, te June there is always the chance o f ﬁnding the r r o f e r u o f n s ar n the eso t s a t o t , which te w m i to

ll n . w nan is a ar r a un r a r c e y G y t l ge l ke, de p e ipic

f n n . nas s n o f r u o S owdo Like Di , it hold ple ty t o t , which rise fai rly well when there is a steady

f n n breeze . Probably both o these lakes co tai

’ ar ﬁ h bu n ral S a n a s s n l ge s , t, ge e ly pe ki g, day ﬁ hi g

r f n ll- will yield a doz en o so o golde , we shaped

r a n fr un u un . r t out, sc li g om i po d p to i po d The e

r n a s are several bo ats fo r hi e o the Gwynant l ke .

n f la is a r f ur s fr A other avourite ke G de , o mile om

r a o arn r n . r the village, o n the o d t C a vo He e the

n r has trout are exceedingly abundant. O e o d

fif - ix fish in a da and n r u taken ty s y, whe the t o t are in a rising humour the spo rt in Gader is c ertain to aflo rd an illustration o f the extra ordinary eagerness o i these fish in darting at

r a n fr the artiﬁcial ﬂy . The largest t out t ke om this llyn weighed a little over a pound ; but there are many Q - pound trout and a legio n o f smaller

ﬁsh an is al n fo r a n , d it most impossible, eve ovice,

in to fail making a basket . The orthodo x ﬂies fo r these lakes are the cochy bo nddu reds inner a r an lar o , p , lde , d c et b dy with

a ar n s f n m ll d wi g . I have ou d the o live quill Beddgelert : Salmo n, Sewin, and Trout 59 gnat and orange dun hackle very goo d heterodox

- patterns . The first named fly will o ften catch fish in he els la es o n st ll a s if u n l t W h k i d y , sed si g e and

n - r o n a ﬁ e d awn cast . Fo r tro ut -ﬁshing you cannot visit Beddgelert

ear in h s r n unl ss sn l kl too ly t e p i g, e ow ies thic y o n

un n n ea r the mo tains. Give ope w the , tro ut will often rise to the ﬂy in Dinas and Gwynant during

. l i a n h b af February Apri s good mo t , ut ter May

n l n s u the trouti g usually dec i e , tho gh a wet summer

in n - n n will give fair sport . But lo g co ti ued dry

r se ll ns are r l ar and ﬁ h weathe the y ve y c e , the s , ﬁnding plenty o f bottom food among the reed s

a l er the rea r area o f the la e s th t thick y cov g te ke b d , are no t easily tempted to rise . A little discolo ra

n o f a r ev n in su r fa u ﬂ tio the w te , e mid mme , vo rs y

ﬁ h n i s i g n the lakes.

er and August, Septemb , October are the best months fo r salmon ﬁshing. Beddgelert people r n u n re o d s ur n u us an ecko po th e g od ﬂoo d i g A g t, d after these Spates the Glaslyn is often full o f salmon and sewin which have been detained in

fr - the tidal waters. These esh run fish sometimes r s l fl and a nu r are i e bold y to the y, good mbe taken with the worm and the silver zi -inch Devon B h minnow . ut those w o object to the use o f the 60 Fishing in Wales spinning bait in salmon rivers will find that a rather big and gaudy fly will kill fish when the f i n r r. ur n a a a ur water s i o de D i g high flood, vo ite

f n spot fo r salmon is at the outlet o Llyn Di as . I

a s n r ﬁ h au r in an ur h ve ee th ee s c ght the e ho , while

ri rr at a u r as and the ses occu ed bo t eve y c t, the

a is salmon were Splashing everywhere . No M t

is r no t t o required to ﬁsh this outﬂow . It bette disturb the water with sculls when the salmo n

in i have co ngregated th s part o f the lake .

n o su s s and a ree rufﬂ s Whe the ﬂ od b ide , b ze e

n is o a a . r n the lly , it well to g ﬂo t T olli g the minnow o n a lo ng line is a popular method o f

n n n f a gli g fo r salmon in Dinas Lake . O e o the best casting- places fro m the bank is near a big

u r n uar z o n - r a s bo lde , vei ed with q t , the high o d ide

f a er ra ﬁsh r a n r in o the w t . Seve l we e t ke he e late

he s as n o f 1 8 n u n o ne o f 1 o un s t e o 99 , i cl di g 5 p d .

r f a r o O n the othe side o the l ke, di ec tly o pp site

h ro is an r a e fo r an t e white ck, othe good pl c b k

s n a a s ro n a a r is . ﬁ hi g, lw y p vidi g th t the w te high Good sport m ay occasionally result from night

ﬁ hin fr a a o n n nas us ff s g om bo t Lly Di . J t o the alder- boughs at the upper end o f the lake should be tried fo r sewin after dark . Some o f the bigger

ﬁsh a r af er sun n o f pl y the e t down . The i ﬂow the 6 1 Beddgelert : Salmo n, Sewin, and Tro ut

r er is a ar n b n an - iv p t freque ted y salmo d sea trout, and casts can be made by wading o ut knee-deep

n Ll n G t i n o the gravel bottom . y wynan s ot so f o ten ﬁshed fo r salmon as Llyn Dinas. But as so me o f the spawning beds are in the river above

Gw nant sal n ma be l d fo r in u e y , mo y ooke the pp r

a l ke towards the end o f the season .

l and a rs o f l l n The midd e lower w te the G as y ,

l n A r l l n can s e b be ow Po t be g as y , be ﬁ h d y ticket

a a f r n s. a t charge o f £ 1 1 s . o the season a d a day. A salmon license under the Dovey Fishery Board

a . costs £ 1 fo r the season and I S . the d y The l n r and eral r r ice se covers a wide dist ict, sev ive s an n a r n d lakes . Tickets can be obtai ed t the P i ce " l n l . L ewely Hote , Beddgelert A windy day is the opportunity to cho ose fo r

ﬁshing the slow water below Aberglaslyn. Every

n r is usel ss thi g here depends upon a b eeze, and it e

r to fish with the fly o n a still bright day . The e are an in r n a a m y good pools this st etch, ot bly th t a r and bove the second ferry from Beddgele t, the o ne at the confluence o f the Croeso r stream . The long straight reaches should be tried when

in 1 0 A newasso ciatio n fo r the Glaslyn was formed 9 3 . Fo r rules a l cr ar Po rtmado c o r to pp y to Ho n . Se et y, ,

Beddgelert ho tels . ' 62 Fishing in Wales

fo r a an m o ma et the water is rough , t y ti e y u y g amongst a shoal o f sea -trout o n their way to the

i a in s ar higher po o ls. Wading s necess ry thi p t a n ar us b er se in a n o f the Gl s ly . C e m t e ex ci d w di g, as the bottom is very muddy and retentive in

and an l r ma u n ﬁnd s lf places, the g e y s dde ly him e

in up to the waist in water, o r ﬂoundering an unnoticed hole . Trout often rise well in the middle water during

al . r a r u a half g e The e are some he vy t out, p to

u in s l n . sel r s 7 po nds, thi e gth They dom i e to

ﬂ but are au the r in dis the y, c ght with wo m

n bi ma be coloured water. At ight these g trout y tempted with a piece o f dead ﬂatﬁsh o n a bottom

o r a a r . n line, with sm ll dead t out Late i the season many o f these cannibal ﬁsh ascend the river above Beddgelert in quest o f spawning

are so s au a n ht grounds . They metime c ght t ig

n an a f n f in Llyn Di as , d ew have been take rom

he n n l l t h t Colwy , which joi s the G as yn a t e village. The two minor streams accessible fro m Beddge lert are the Nantymo r and the Colwyn . The ﬁrst

Ll i and as ns ra n u ses i n Llyn ag , h te pidly dow the

- al h n mountain side to the v e, w e ce it ﬂows through

n asl n . n wooded gle s to the Gl y Sewi , and so me 6 Beddgelert : Salmo n, Sewin, and Tro ut 3

ra u the Nant mo r ro an times salmon, t vel p y B ok, d

would spawn there if undisturbed . Most o f them

are r e fa l i s , howeve , doom d to l v ctim to the

n 1 un s a e s atcher. Salmon o f 0 po d weight h v been known to push their way high up this

s tream . i Nantymo r abounds with troutlets. It s a dim

ﬁ ﬂ e n u r cult rivulet to sh with the y, b i g m ch ove

r grown with tangled underwood and g eat trees.

r r i r o r b T out can be caught he e w th the wo m , y

dapping the fernweb in J uly . Q uantity rather than quality o f ﬁsh will result from a day o n this

s r f ers o f t eam after a ﬂood . The eed the bro ok

are f ull o f little trout .

e urn n e r s r ll b R t i g to Beddg le t, we will t o y the

w n i ur un r Ll Col y towards ts so ce de the echog, a

r f In its urse hr u he idge o Snowdon . co t o gh t

lla s rea is s all but a uar er o f a vi ge the t m h ow, q t r are so mile up it presents a rocky bed. The e me

r r s n an deep overgrown pools, which ha bou ewi d

s r n is n e na l salmon . A wi li g ﬂood e ded to e b e

migrato ry ﬁsh to pass to the higher waters. At

ne o f f lls ur n an r o a o the a , d i g Octobe ﬂ od , I h ve seen a large number o f brown trout attempting to

ﬁ h r leap the obstruction . Some o f these s we e

u f un i and w q ite a couple o po ds n weight, I as 64 Fishing in Wales as tonished at the quantity o f 1 - pound and

- r h l' h r J pound trout . P obably t ey ad t avelled up

r r f n r fe from the lowe wate o the Glasly . Ve y w parts o f the Colwyn can be ﬁshed with the ﬂy . I have caught trout in this river with a small

- nn an r . fem mi ow, d with the wo m The beetle will take trout here in hot weather.

r u ar o f n na f n A t ib t y the Colwy , med A o Cwm

i r r n en r is a u o f r du, s wo th t yi g wh the e p sh wate f ll n es nd r rom the hi s. Sewi so metim ﬁ thei way

n - into this brook . Afo Cwm du joins the Colwyn

n r an a l un r s fr o the ight b k , ittle de two mile om

In - r u ra u Beddgelert . a Spate sea t o t t vel high p

a n r no n b ut the Colwyn, lmost u de S wdo they are forced to return to the pools when the water

subsides . Some good catches o f sewin are often made in

this tributary o f the Glaslyn after a heavy freshet . It happens so metimes that the Co lwyn rises befo re

f n i i the Glaslyn a ter rains. I that case it s ad v s

ﬁsh n as s n as ss l able to the Colwy oo po ib e, as the

stream quickly runs lo w. The pool above the

r a f wooden bridge at Beddgele t, t the j unction o

as n and o n is f n ful o f - ro u the Gl ly C lwy , o te l sea t t when the rivers are lo w The ﬁsh are penned

er un a r r s s and n th e til the w te i e , they will asce d

CHAPTER VIII

LAKES O F THE LLED R RANGE

BY following the Capel Curig road past Llyn

nas o u ll r r e Di , y wi come to a ude wooden b idg

r lasl n o r as is s mes l ove the G y , , it ometi ca led, the

Gw nant rea . r ss s r and ascen y St m C o thi b idge, d the lane that trends to the ri ght until yo u strike

r a r u Nan m o r s s the o d th o gh ty . Almo t oppo ite to

o n at o u n r a r is a the p i t which y joi the o d, the e

n l h r fai t ﬁe dpat leading to a small fa mho use . O n

l f o f i a s n s nd the e t the homestead s to e tile, a

u s n b some ro gh steps in the rock . A ce d y the

s and f r r ss s n r step , ollow the mo e o le di ti ct t ack

n s s a l that mou ts the hill ide. Thi p th eads to

a n r un a ns b n- r Blaen u Festi iog, ove the mo t i y Lly y

In fro n o f o u is r o f ra Adar. t y the p ecipice C ig

Lla i a r ns u us lan ar l g , ve y co pic o dm k, which wil f serve as an excellent guide to the shore o th e lake .

l i ro un o f a L agi s an almost d p ol, eet bove

- rn s ra r sea level . O n the weste ide the c gs ise to the e o f a 600 f o r l n n h ight bout eet ve the ly , a d the [ 66 ] Lakes o f the Lledr Range 67

s l r rocks helve rather steeply to deep b ack wate . The shore upon which yo u arrive is open and

fa r s is no t a s r for s n i ly level . Thi good ho e ﬁ hi g,

i all fo r s ral a as the water s sh ow eve y rds o ut . I

a ar o f a b n h ve waded this p t the l ke , ut I do o t

’ se a n r . is unn ss r and n s advi w di g he e It ece a y, o e feet slip into the mud abo ve the ankles at every

i nl n step . There s really o y o e part o f Llagi that

an i c be ﬁshed. That s the deep water under

ra B e au n C ig Llagi . ut l t me c tio the stranger

against a slip from the precarious foothold . O ne i life at least has been lost n the lake . Some years

un ar n r sa be a r ago a yo g c pe te , id to swimme , was i fo und drowned n Llagi .

m r m s Ll i I well reme be y ﬁrst vi it to ag . It was

o n a l s ra n da in u and l u s n c o e, i y y J ly, c o d hu g

r a . A n as set self ﬁ h ove the cr gs s soo I my to s ,

und r h n nch and f r l th e rolled be i d Cy t, o ked ight

n n n n ar n i g bega to ﬂash at mome t y i tervals. Then

ca a u f ra n nd l l a me perfect del ge o i , a the itt e w ter

fa s n r s r so n o ll n and n ll amo g the c ag we e o sw e oisy . Believing then in the theo ry that trout will no t

r s in und r a er had r e i e th e y we th , I meag e exp ctation

f r w n the l i o s . w r t n s po t Ho eve , be ee pe t g howers,

an l n n la d while the ight i g was p ying, I caught ﬁve h ﬁs and lost two others. 68 Fishing in Wales

’ Do n t use coarse tackle and big lake ﬂies if yo u want to lure trout from Llyn Llagi . The ﬁsh are no t free risers ; and the co nstant use o f the otter board by Festinio g po achers has made them

au us in a n sus us- o n o s c tio ccepti g picio lo ki g bject ,

" no a er ft as . n r an m tt how de ly c t O the othe h d,

r ar s un ﬁne ut fo r r u be p ep ed with o d g , these t o t

am and a to rus un r s v n are g e, pt h de the hel i g

n la i is rocks with great dash . The wi d o n L g

f n u n very liable to be shi ty a d steady. At o ne

r no t be . a S r o n surfa time the e will himme the ce, but in ten minutes yo u m ay be casting in the trough o f lapping wavelets. It is well to take a

r rest when the breeze d ops . Nothing is gained

n n u r n n by whippi g a d dist bi g the calm water. O

o n rar o u s are a a ﬁsh r the c t y, y will c w y the that a e waiting n ear the surface fo r the next troop o f ﬂies

r af n a r ss l that the zephy will w t ge tly c o the ake . So metimes o n a ho pelessly still day yo u may tempt a tro ut o r two by gently dropping a single

ﬂ and a n S n a few n s. B s y , llowi g it to i k i che y thi

metho d I o nce to o k a i - po und ﬁsh fro m Llagi o n

But s m n h a calm hot day . thi was y o ly ﬁs upon

as n u er was a fu that occ io , tho gh th e delight lly

n ur pretty rise to the at al ﬂy .

If o u an a o r u in Lla i y ch ce to hook g od t o t g , Lakes o f the Lledr Range 69

l as as ss fo r u ll ﬁnd ho d him tightly po ible, yo wi it risky to budge from your fo o ting o n so me ledge

- a net o f rock o r round topped boulder. H ve the

r a an n at his rs rus e dy, d get the ﬁsh i to it ﬁ t h

r n r u to wards yo u . I have lost o ne o two ice t o t

r ro u al o n ar n a fas he e, th gh l wi g them to d t i to t

ness and sul nd r m f . s , k, almost u e y eet The be t

ﬁ h 6 n s lie 0 the most slippery part o f the ba k . More ﬁsh may sometimes be caught from the sheep fence that j uts into the water o n the right

f n s side o the pool . But they are smaller tha tho e

under the rocks. Local opinion is no t unanimous concerning the

s n an port to be had in Llagi. With Di as d

Gw nant in a and so u r a s y the v lley, m ch mo e cce

s fro f r n r u e ible m Beddgelert, ew ﬁshe me t o bl to

o u to the arn and n in a k n t il p t , to expe d time w l i g

to and fro a r ne m n n r the w te . O a who k o ws eve y bro ok and poo l fo r miles aro und Beddgelert to ld me that he had never met with much luck in

n Ll i B a r fr r un Lly ag . ut poache om o ve the mo

a ns i a a u n t i , who s equ lly well cq ai ted with the

l e rs nf o n r ik ly wate , i ormed me that he c side ed

la i n o f Lledr L g the best lake o this side the ,

and u r an n - r- ar a o m ch bette th Lly y Ad , b ve the

Fo m o n ar a n r r urne crags. r y w p t, I h ve eve et d 70 Fishing in Wales

u - n fr n l arn e q ite empty ha ded om this lo e y t , whil once o r twice I have had sport with very fair- sized

r . r f i r o f ﬁsh t out Whethe rom three to s x b ace , fro un u to un a sa sf m po d p Q po d piece , will ti y the reader after a toilso me walk o ver ro ugh country is o o n more than I can say . I cannot h ld ut deﬁ ite

r s f s o u p omi e o a better basket than thi , th gh I dare say a heavier take might fall to the luck o f a ﬁsherman who found himself at Llagi after heavy ra n o n a da o f fa ur n r r i y vo i g b eez e . To me the e is a great charm in the deep silence and seclusion o f s a n thi pool. I h ve ever met another ﬁsherman there. O n the supposition that the trout are no t rising in Lla i and o u e o n ne fo r g , that y ar n t disi cli d fu r r n r o u n- r the climbi g, I will di ect y to Lly y

rn n r r nea Adar. Tu i g to the ight by the c ags be th

u en a n ar s which yo have be c sti g, go tow d the gorge that runs down o n the north - east Side o f

n ass n o n o ur wa a r u s el er the lly , p i g y y o gh h t ,

ra s o f r s n ndle b n urnal with t ce ﬁ e , evide tly ki d y oct

r In o u ma r a ﬁsh raide s . twenty minutes y y e ch

r in a o f a l a the highe lake, situated hollow b e k

- table land .

ar i r n n l i Its r s Ad s a la ger lly tha L ag . sho e

' o fler fe o ru n fl n n u ma w bst ctio s to y fishi g, a d yo y Lakes o f the Lledr Range 7 1 cast into fairly deep water fi' o m the ro cks o n o ne s and fr s r un in r ide, om the wampy g o d other pa ts .

r is a le sl n in la e The e litt i a d the k , once the resort o f a - ea ul s and ma s ll bl ck h ded g l , it y ti be so ,

u a no t s n an r s u n . tho gh , I h ve ee y bi d po it I

' cannot speak in high terms o f Llyn -yr- Adar h o m m own r n y expe ie ce . Poachers ﬁnd it worth their

l co r r and whi e to me the e with the otte , I have

n a f r n i see ai um ber o f trout rising n the lake. I fear that ottering has made these ﬁsh shy o f

r n r ar rising to artiﬁcial ﬂies . The t out i Ada e o f abo ut the same siz e as those in Llagi.

Co n lo Terf n is ail Ll nau r - - Mellt g g, y , B w , y Ge ig y , and Llynau- y Cwn are lakes within a three-mile

m r farm r radius o f Adar. I am to ld by a Nanty o e

i il i o s o f that B swa s devoid o f ﬁsh . The two po l

G r - Mellt r lear all r - e e ig y a e c , sh ow, oc b dded,

a r n h l nau wn and ppa e tly wit out trout . L y y C

o arn sa bi ﬁsh a are tw little t s, id to hold g . I h ve

' only seen them h o m the hillside abo ve . The most noted o f the lakes in this elevated

n u and savage region is Llyn Ed o . It wo ld be interesting to know how many disappointed ﬁsher

n o f a an da men have gone away at the e d bl k y, breathing maledictions upon tho se who told them that yo u never catch a trout o f under a pound in 7 2 Fishing in Wales

’ m e a r a s Edno . I have t m en who sh ke thei he d at the fabulo us tales o f prodigious trout in this

a . r ss r are s r ar ﬁsh l ke Neve thele , the e ome ve y l ge in n ar K n s ro in Ed o ; but, as Ch les i g ley w te the

’ Visitors Book at the Penygwryd Hotel :

’ I o u th nk o u r o n o cat em f y i y e g i g t ch th , ’ I only ho pe yo u may.

O ne of ns ho was a lad n at n the Owe , w livi g Pe y

wr d n K n a r s a g y whe i gsley st yed the e, tell me th t s ral an r a in his r l n su eve gle s h ve, ecol ectio , cceeded in capturing a fair number o f the Edno monsters .

An a n uro us s er an had a r n dve t ﬁ h m , who Be tho

a ra a so er ﬁne bo t d gged up to the l ke, took me v y

h f n an fis . I have also heard o a ge tlem who r a d s s n no and o f en e s fine epe te ly vi it Lly Ed , t g t fi h f s o r his a ns. And et a a n a n p i y g i , I h ve bee

o f an o ld far r fro an G nant who told me m N t wy , arrives o n the margin o f the llyn after a heavy ra n and a s a bi lo o f ro u i , c tche g t weighty t t, with

r at the u s o f runne s a f e the wo m , mo th the l th t e d

o a f a n a the po l . I h ve mysel cco mpa ied Beddgelert man o n who has a n a un ﬁsh fr t Ed o, t ke po d om

a n his o n s the ro the l ke o ly vi it with d . O nce o nly have I essayed to entice trout fro m

no . In a n r a d n ff r n Ed v i I t ied oze di e e t ﬂies, a

o n nno and red o r s . s n Dev mi w, w m I aw o Sign

74 Fishing in Wales

nf na e l a is diﬁ tain in s U ortu t ly, ive b it cult to ob thi part o f Wales ; an d I rather pity the m an who

ul carr a can as hi s f and his wo d y , well as m el

r u r a n r f no . c eel, p the b e k eck ocks by A on Ed I believe that I climbed about a score o f high stone

l o n m a e n ill if o u o n o wal s y w y to th lly . St , y ly g to n n to at o u ann fa Lly Ed o look it, y c ot il to be c ar r u ﬁ' o m h med with the glo io s views these heathy, s n u lan s o f Lledr un n to y p d the Mo tai s. CHAPTER IX

T HE LLY NS O F ARD U D WY

O U GHLY s a in r i n o f Ardudw R pe k g, the wild eg o y is that tract o f mountain and moorland bo unded o n n r b he f s n and o n the o th y t Vale o Fe ti iog, the

n s so uth by the Mawddach River. Withi thi f district are more than a score o f lakes. A ewo f

s a ers ar in r but a o r the e w t e p ivate hands, the m j ity can s n A d co n be ﬁ hed without hindra ce . rdu wy tains some o f the grandest scenery to be fo und in

n ns No rth Wales . The Rhino g Mou tai ﬂank the

l r f r n n a ar s wi de ness o ock a d heath o the se w d ide, while a part o f the tract is the undulating and dreary moor stretching towards Trawsfynydd and

s n Fe ti iog. Beginning o ur exploration o n the southern side o f Rhino an r e la s the g R ge, we will visit the th e ke in the cwm slo ping from the Llethr mou ntain to

ffr n n ar ar u rs n at Dy y , e B mo th . The ﬁ t lly the

' ﬁr n f i r d i D y y end o the valley s I d yn, which s [ u ] 76 Fishing in Wales

drained by a stream called the Y sgethin . Two

i l n r b ra s o f miles above s Bo d ly , shelte ed y the c g D iphwys ; and by following the streamlet that

nn rr at n Bu n co ects these pools, we a ive Lly ly ,

is r a s s s n the Black Lake, which pe h p the be t ﬁ hi g

s la s are o n water o f the three llyns . The e ke the

n r n a n an a u n ma o o f Co rsygedo l. They co t i b

an f r n o ﬁsh is as nall d ce o trout. Pe missio t occ io y i n r give to visiting angle s .

- D ulyn is much poached by the otter bo ard .

an n r are l n o f an s Notwithst di g, the e p e ty h d ome

n r in arn and so a ﬁsh are golde t out the t , me he vy

is s a s o f to be caught there at times. It the m lle t

r ll ro u a er is ar the th ee yns o f this g p . The w t cle ,

a and there are some beds o f weed in parts . I w s o nce bro ken by a very big trout in this pretty

and n ﬁ h i an pool, I have see many good s rising n

n n in n In an ra a eve i g July a d August . ave ge t ke

r u r the t o t un about three to the pound . They

us and us an e ﬁght l tily, m t be h dl d with care befo re

n i S un the et s lipped under them . I have fo d the olive quill gnat an excellent pattern o f ﬂy fo r this ‘ l f Ir n an Bo dll n 1 ann S a fro ake . o ddy d y c ot pe k m

m o wn r nc . am r nf r y expe ie e I , howeve , i o med

a fr th t they equently give good sport . Fo llowing the western Slope o f Llethr from T he Llyns o f Ardudwy 77

Bo dll n ma s r a r y , we y t ike ve y deep gully leading o d wn to Llyn Perfeddau . This lake is more co n

venientl r a h' o m an r ’ b y e ched Ll bed , y way o f

Nantco l. o ld s a o f Maes arn At the home te d g edd,

r ss Co l and s ram u r c o the , c ble p the ocks till yo u arrive upon a fairly level upland watered by a r i little runnel . This st eam s the outﬂow o f Per

It is deplorable that this ﬁne pool has been almost ruined fo r the ﬁsherman by the use o f the

few ars a o was ns r net . A ye g it co ide ed o ne o f

s s r - l n o f s Rhino la the mo t po t yie di g the e g kes .

ro u r au fu l n and ﬁrm The t t we e be ti lly go de , and

z n o f about herring si e o an average. I have

e ﬁsh in l n Perfe d caught a f w L y d au . The

a tt r un heaviest weighed li le ove 2 po d, and it

co ch bo nddu o n an al s s ll da took the y mo t ti y,

n r when I could no t tempt a othe ﬁsh . There is

rfe dau and a f good bottom food in Pe d , bed o reeds

n o In urs o f if i at o ne e d o f the po l . co e time , it s

ru l n a ma r a n its no t thless y etted, the l ke y eg i

w in s as 1 8 . reputation . The last time I ﬁ hed it 97 I have no t had the fortune to be upon the scene o n a windy day .

Perfeddau is Ll n About 300 feet above y Howel,

n D r See chapter on The Artro a d wyd . 78 Fishing in Wales

r ar and a a l un r a g im , d k, deep l ke immedi te y de

i a and in the sheer cliﬂs o f Rh no g F ch , hemmed f o n the south by the wild rocky slopes o Llethr. This po ol has a great fascination fo r me in rough

r n u s s n the un weathe , whe the clo d woop dow mo

a ns and a r is as d n ss n a es. t i , the w te l he i to hi i g w v

i r s a na and far It s o ne o f the wei dest pots im gi ble,

n from a beaten track o r human habitatio n . Lly Idwal among the Glyders is perhaps a more

arn bu is a r n u a gloomy t , t Howel wei d e o gh l ke

n r i eve o n a b ight day n summer. I know o f no other mountain lake so full o f

r . r na ﬁ ar t out as Howel U nfo tu tely, the sh e

r el r a n . are lan so f sca c y wo th c tchi g They k, t,

- and fr a n r u n es. og he ded, with e o mo s stari g ey

n fr ar a . Whe ied, they e w tery and rather tasteless

a se r u u ual Very prob bly the t o t, which are s ly

un s in are ﬁsh a s u about 3 o ce weight, old th t ho ld

r r weigh much heavier. The e must be a ter ible struggle fo r existence amongst these wretched

n attenuated trout . I have rarely see any natural

n s o n a r and i m i sect the w te , the bottom s ostly s n n r and s n s a ro un f i u ke ock to e, o th t g d oo d s

n u n o scarce . The i trod ctio f a fewpike into Llyn Howel might greatly improve the stock o f trout by

h nn n o n the red un a f n t i i g d w d ncy o u dersized ﬁsh . T he Llyns o f Ardudwy 79

rt a o Howel is well wo h at le st ne visit. It is a novel experience to perch o n a rock 8 feet over

i o f lue- ﬁve o r s x fathoms b black water, and to watch the trout ascending from the depths to

h a al seize your ﬂies. T ey t ke most any ﬂy in a

r z and l n ef re da is r ur a b ee e, o g b o the y ove yo t il Y w f ﬂy is torn to pieces. ou ill o ten take a bra ce

ﬁ h a o n and s e es r l be o f s t e cast, om tim th ee wi l

In r h ee twitched o ut . two hou s I have caught t r doz en trout in Howel.

n a o he as si e o f la O e d y, n t e t d the ke, I took about half a dozen brighter and rather larger ﬁsh

n alr a i m than the dark lean o es e dy n y creel. O ne o f these weighed 5 ounces . That is my record trout fo r Llyn Howel. I doubt if any fish in the llyn are bigger than that o ne. If there are any heavier trout they do no t rise to the artificial fl y. A timid o r superstitious angler should not go

al n n l. fa n of a s n o e to Lly Howe The lli g to e, the

a f r r a o f ble t o a sheep, o the c o k a crow causes a

r in ffs an myste ious echo the cli , d there are eerie

n a n r s o n a il sou ds mo g the ock w d day . My Aire

al rr r a an s o n d e te ie , who ccomp ie me these lonely

al a a ur n rambles, w ys exhibits c ious erv ousnes s

n m a Ll n when sitti g by y side t y Howel. There 80 Fishing in Wales are many uncanny local legends abo ut these

ar ai n awe lonely mountain pools. They e cert ly inspiring places to the primitive and imaginative mind .

r ss n Co l n ar Maes ar adv n C o i g the e g nedd, the e turo us ﬁsherman may ﬁnd his way over a sho ulder o f hino a r s un a n o f s R g F w , the highe t mo t i thi

u fa us Glo wll n . r all a o l gro p, to the mo y I ec l ve y

rn n n us n arr a r r mo i g i Aug t, whe I ived with b othe

r n sh r o f s se ues r a af r angle o the o e thi q te ed l ke, te

n a climb from Maesgar edd . It was a still hot da and r in n ss the m rn n y, we we e time to wit e o i g

r o f i r u . r a but e al ise b g t o t All ove the l ke, esp ci ly

r end ﬁsh er f n at the no th , the w e eedi g greedily

u n upon a tiny dun fly . J dgi g by the splash made by some o f these traut they were quite 3 pounds in weight. i ' There are some fine trout n Glo wllyn . Clifie

l n a n as re ates getti g ice b ket there, with o ne ﬁsh

n o f 3 pounds amo gst the others . I believe that

a ra o f tr u in l n i 1 the ve ge weight o t the l y s pound.

fr n o f n who ra s A ie d mi e, t mp many miles to ﬁsh

s l l a has a en a in thi ove y l ke, t k dozen tro ut in an af rn n n in a 1 te oo , weighi g the tot l 4 pounds, besides

o s n o rs. Glo wll n ro u are no t l l i g the y t t bo d risers .

' ’ No doubt since Cliﬁe s time they have become

82 Fishing in Wales

ura l an ﬁsh o f favo b e, d n the eed, very excellent

n o an Sport may be e j yed. Some glers never

a ﬁ h Glo l n in a l ttempt to s wly d y ight . I have

no n a n la bu am t spe t ight by the ke, t I told o n the best o f authority that darkness greatly favours

f n the chance o catchi g the heavier trout. O n the west shore yo u will ﬁnd a hovel o f sto nes an d turf

e n used as a shelter by night ﬁsh rme . Sundry

empty wine- bottles and other litter tell o f mid

' night reﬁ eshment . In many o f the Welsh lakes the worm is used

r ann sa r ran afte dark . I c ot y whethe the b dling o r red worm will lure ﬁsh by night from Glow

llyn .

' O ne o f the best casting- places is o ﬂ the rocks

o n the east shore. It is a Slippery and perilo us

n an u n h place i the dark, d q ite da gerous enoug in daylight . If yo u are no t a swimmer beware o f lo sing your head while playing a trout from this

n a i n - l ba k. I say th t this s the best casti g p ace,

bi r u lie o n a an no o n because g t o t th t side, d t account o f the prec arious footing. I make this explanation in case the reader might suppose that

r l F r f I am w iting ironica ly . o good oothold the

s s r is r f rr b r a r we t ho e to be p e e ed, ut he e the w te is s a fo r an ar h llow m y y ds o ut. In the dark, no T he Llyns o f Ardudwy 83

u an ﬁ h n s all r ar s o f do bt, m y s come i to the h owe p t the llyn . Apart fro m the disadvantages in the way o f

r - s in ro s Glo wll n is a fu sha ply helv g ck , y delight l lake fo r the ﬁsherman o r the lover o f natu ral

u r n i o f r o f a beauty . The ppe e d s the characte

r and r ar in l o f weedy me e , the e e charm g s opes

a al rna n r bluﬁs. he ther, te ti g with ocky At the

n is o f rn r o r r o f la lower e d , the pool the ste e de ke

n r and rt i r r s. sce e y, deep, begi w th highe ock Many ﬁshermen have come away from Glo wllyn with light o r empty baskets . Sport here cannot B be predicted with assurance . ut let the stranger remember that he m ay be liberally rewarded fo r his arduo us exertion in reaching the lake fro m

n is a Llanbedr o r Harlech. The lly bo ut eight

A r u miles from either place . o gh walk from Glo w

n ea s T dd iad r ar lly l d to Bwlch y , the em kable

man e s n o u ma r ss e Ro St p , whe ce y y c o th swampy moor to Trawsfynydd .

About a mile to the south - east o f Glo wllyn is

n D u a s a fu o f r Lly , m ll pool , ll little t out . Almost

a Glo wll n is n an immedi tely below y Lly Cwm Bych , a fa ur n - a in a r an vo ite pic ic pl ce om tic valley . This la rar if r s s r ke ely, eve , give po t to the ﬂy ﬁsher

m an . r o i an are Eiddew a No th Cwm Bych B ch , 6— 2 84 Fishing in Wales

i e a and Caer ch . Eiddew E dd wM wr, wy The two

r sh r u an Caerw ch lakes contain la ge and y t o t, d y

i r . n Pr v d a o u s said to give good spo t Lly y y , b t s n s n r - as o f an e r has a re u a eve mile o th e t Ll b d , p t

- tion fo r trout ﬁshing. There are Several other llyns in this remote and

a r s a o f in u desol te dist ict . To vi it e ch them q est

f r u a n at eas AS in o spo t wo ld need mo th l t . the case o f the representative lakes which I have

r d o f a rs a o un desc ibe , some these w te b d with

ro r n a n bi and s u small t ut, while othe s co t i g l ggish

an o f Ar u a s ar ﬁsh . M y the d dwy l ke e rarely

b s ran r in a and r visited y the t ge W les, thei inac cessibility pro tects them to a certain degree

s r a n f r a again t the dep ed tio s o poachers. To e ch

es o n o s o ne us a a r th e l ely po l m t be good w lke , and po ssessed o f a sound heart and stro ng lungs. Eight miles is about the average distance to the

s o f a s o f s ar r u er r be t the l ke thi l ge g o p, eith sta ting from Harlech o r Llanbedr. The ﬁsherman must then be prepared to tramp Sixteen miles to an d fro his a r to sa n n o f r s o f m w te , y othi g the exe ci e casting as he moves along the ro ugh verge o f the lake.

f er a o n da b o ne o f ese ll ns the r A t l g y y th y , c eel, t u m a no t be a f l r i a ho gh it y h l ﬁl ed with t out, s pt T he Llyn s o f Ardudwy 85

l B n to bear heavi y o n the shoulders. ut the sce ery i r us an air r ar a n i o ra n s glo io , d the em k bly i v g ti g

An r and rare . d though the angle may return to hi inn f s r f u l ro a s oot o e and atig ed, he wil p b bly resolve the next morning to start 03 early in

n search o f fresh ﬁshing water amo g the hills. C H A P TE R X

TALYLLYN

THIS much- frequented and sport- giving lake is

a n a u r fr ten miles from M chy lleth , bo t th ee om

n n ta n and n n fr o . Abergy olwy S tio , i e om D lgelly

n b un ai ns al l n l s in a Surrou ded y high mo t , T yl y ie

rr r o f a a o f r an na ow st ip v lley, with p tches ve d t

a and a few s a s a i r en me dow, home te d t the h ghe d, and a church and two ho stelries at the outﬂow o f

ni r a the D ysyn Rive t the other extremity . The lake is about o ne and a quarter miles long an d a quarter o f a mile bro ad . Its bed is thickly

r s r in ar u cove ed with weed , p ovid g h bo r and ample food fo r the thousands o f trout that thrive in this water. There are very fewsurface weeds o n the pool . ’" ‘ Talyllyn (pronounced talthhn) is generally ad mitt ed among Welsh anglers to be the best

ural r u a in o r al nat t o t l ke N th W es . Lake Ver n s b r ﬁsh and i iew hold igge , s a much larger

Hotels T n co m el and P y y , enybont Inn . [ 86 ] Talyllyn 87

r b i r r an n a na u l wate ; ut it s a eservoi , d o t t ra

Y u re o f s r in mere . o may be always su po t

l n i Ma and un un ess o u are a Ta ylly n y J e, l y n o f ﬂ r r ovice in the art y ﬁshing. The t out he e do no t rise with the avidity o f those swarming

are in the llyns at a higher altitude . But they

o r n n f an a ra o f w th catchi g, bei g o ve ge weight a f n and r n and bout hal a pou d, ve y ha dsome

plucky . Many years ago ﬁshermen used to cover the stern o f the boat with ﬁsh during a day o n

n o r s ar n a s of Talyllyn . Old a glers rec d t tli g t ke

r u ﬁ h r t out fro m this water. No do bt the s ose

o r fr f ars a o and r r a m e eely ﬁ ty ye g , ve y p ob bly

r re un an an are - a they we e mo ab d t th they to d y . The llyn is incessantly ﬁshed nowadays from May

r and r u are l to Septembe , the t o t we l educated .

Y o u cannot expect to make a ro - pound catch

' b s n o arse ut u y fi hi g with c g , h ge flies, and a stifl

- u an ro d . s us ﬁn do ble h ded The ca t m t be e, the

u da and a o f r ﬂies s ited to the y the st te the wate ,

nd a n n a the c sti g must be light a d scientiﬁc .

’ n ra u s o r r s o f Do t d g yo r ﬂie ve the c e t the waves,

r in a a a r z no ﬂop them he vily . Aw it b ee y day,

su u suns n in Ma ﬁ h a with bd ed hi e, y ; s delic tely

fr a r f n a al n s r s n om d i ti g bo t o g the ho e , a d yo u 88 Fishing in Wales

- ll e r u . Y o u i l eat h so un ﬁ h wi g t t o t w l c me i po d s , and even smaller ones in some parts o f the llyn ; but at any time yo u m ay be playing a bold pounder. The maj o rity o f the ﬁsh in your creel at the end o f the day will no t be o f a contemptible

O f urs r are r a s and n an co e, the e poo d y eve bl k

a n e S o r can x e days o n T lylly . Littl p t be e pect d

n sun ar s n fr a o en sk and whe the gl e dow om m lt y, the lake is like a sheet o f glass . A chill no rth easter and a bright sky are also against the

s r an o n s a e as e s r . fr s ﬁ he m thi l k , l ewhe e A e h

am s r e af r ra n and a ni r o n d pi h b eez , te i , ce ipple

the a r are n o f f rtun . In u a r w te ome s o e s ch we the ,

a n s o f f rs and as n ar to . w tch the i let eede , c t e them Tro ut o ften ﬂock there in search o f the bottom food washed do wn from the hills.

n o n o r r end o f n is a The Pe yb t, lowe , the lly

- r re u much ﬁshed part . The e a many tro t in this

n But u r end s s in r a po rtio . the ppe ﬁ he well ce t in

n s ﬁsh fr u n a r si wi d . Some good eq e t the C de de,

o n the r s . o n n r se bey d ocky i let N te the eve i g i , and a r a S o r s ar fu a n pp o ch the h e c e lly, voidi g

na o u Splashing with the sculls . O ccasio lly y m ay

h B -ﬁ hin catch ﬁs from the banks. ut boat s g gives

r s r as a ru . bette po t, le

90 Fishing in Wales sea-trout are able to ascend the Dysynni as far

al ll as T y yn.

The trout in this lake are of a delicate ﬂavour.

n l n in ut They must ot be kept o g the larder, b

‘ n as n l n a o o ﬂ in eate so o as possib e, bei g pt to g warm weather. It has been proposed to restock Talyllyn with

n Lo ch Leve trout . I cannot say whether the experiment would prove a complete success . Loch Leven trout turned into some o f the Welsh rivers have no t rapidly increased; and in o ne instance they have disappeared miraculously.

a n r are in fa r no w R i bow t out, which much vou ,

nd fr e fr ann a m a a e om c ib listic habits, ight be

r n n n r better variety fo r eple ishi g the lake. I u de

a s an fr n ar a r stand th t the di t ce om the e est h tche y,

and the risks o f conveying the ﬁsh to this o ut - o f the-world llyn have to be seriously reckoned with

r n s in car yi g o ut the uggested restocking. Loch

n r u a r c l n in Leve t o t h ve, howeve , thrived ex el e tly

e Vernie and rea n n s rt in Lak w, g tly e ha ced the po

r that wate . CHAPTER XI

THE STREAMS O F LLEYN

T HE rivers o f South- West Cam arvo nshire are s r in r urs s and s ral o f u ho t thei co e , eve them wo ld

r a ura r s rs be mo e cc tely te med brooks. Few vi ito reso rt to this remote part o f Wales fo r ﬁshing

n . l n rs nd r ar n o ly Pwllhe i, Nevi , Abe o ch, a Abe d o

r n - are wate i g places rather than ﬁshing quarters. But as some of my readers may wish to explore

r n r r r u this egio , I will b ieﬂy desc ibe the t o t

wl s r a s h nd At P l heli two t e m , the Erc a West

n n h i Erch a d n ba . Erc s , joi ﬂow i to the y The fed by two tributaries during its course above the

n . ll l is r r r tow At Pw he i it a b oad shallow ive ,

a n s f r with good w di g ca ts, and quite open o so me

r fa r a f r distance . Ve y i b skets o brown trout a e

in se r rs r in n an made the little ive ea ly the seaso , d during the summer and autumn there is often a

n f n fr rs re ru o sewi om the sea . These wate a [ m ] 9 2 Fishing in Wales

n a rs preserved by the D wyfach Bo ard o f Co serv to . They are open to anglers at the fo llowing

f o ne seas n . charges fo r licenses : Salmon 2 1 5 . o r o

r u f r ne n n l 25 . T o t 7 5 . o o seaso ; mo th y weekly

i - nd o ne o f There s sea ﬁshing at Pwllheli, a the

ﬁnest bathing beaches in North Wales. The town is gradually gaining popularity amongst

n s r s in E gli h visitors. Some small b ook the

n vici ity teem with troutlets.

urn in b as s r a Jo ey g y the co t, to the we t, we e ch

ua n n n the q i t a d pleasa t village o f Abersoch . The

i s o f Soch , which here meets the tide, s the be t the

r u s r f n S urr n and a t o t t eams o Lley . A low c e t dense growth o f aquatic weeds render the So ch a ra r difli lt r fi h i fl en the cu rive to s w th the y . Wh

r is a r l n s s r a s r u the e ipp e o the luggi h e che , t o t will

f n r se al in Ma and un . o te i well, especi ly y J e I

a s r r in ruar and ar h ve ﬁ hed the ive Feb y M ch ,

ur n a s r n en r u r no t r s n d i g cold p i g, wh t o t we e i i g

ﬂ fa r- ﬁsh r n to be to the y . Some i sized we e the

rm . fr n o f n tempted with a wo A ie d mi e, who has s t in un lls a tayed a Abersoch J e, te me th t he

o n r u n met with good sport in the Soch o gh, wi dy

a s a n n r u o f o und a . d y , t ki g some ice t o t J p piece

Mr. ans a a r o f r n a r n ar Ev , shoem ke , B y M w , e

Sa m is an o ld an o n ri r n h , h d this ve , a d as ﬁshed

94 Fishing in Wales

n rs an er lls a has had ing. A Abe och gl te me th t he

Sport here with the maggo t in the summer. In wet autumns a good number o f salmon ascend the So ch to Spawn . They are mostly

i r r n wn caught n nets high up the ive . I have k o salmon to ﬁnd their way up tiny tributaries which

- - r u are almost dry in the summer time . Sea t o t

l u i o r but also trave p n October and N vembe , I have never heard o f any being caught with the ro d

v lla o f n o n f At the i ge Bottw og, the le t bank , a r all d fan ns b ook c e the Co joi the Soch . The ’ fan r s s in b l s the s o f Co i e the i l to we t Llaniestyn, and ﬂows through a pleasant valley below the

lla . is a r u us n no t vi ge It to t o , weedy stream , a d easy to ﬁsh with the ﬂy ; but trout can be caught here with the worm when the water is high .

r are r u f i The e t o t o 4pound n the Soch . They

s fr uen s and can n u mo tly eq t the pool , o ly be ca ght

r i when the wate s well rumed . O ne angler known

has a n a en ﬁsh all r to me t ke doz , ove pound, from o ne o f these little pools o n a windy afterno o n in August . In the neighbo urhoo d o f Nevin are two o r three sma s r a s o s r s r b lan n r ll t e m , m tly p e e ved y dow e s .

A artments Mrs. . D av es The p J i , Co ttage. T he Streams o f Lleyn 9 5

There is fai r sea-ﬁshing at Nevin some distance

u i o t n the bay .

s r s n r ar n un an Two t eam ea Aberd o , which ite d

n sea a un s al r u . h ﬂow i to the , bo d with m l t o t T ey

a l n ra n n s and can h ve c ea g vel beds in ma y le gth ,

r nf r be fished with the fly . The old skippe i o med me that he often caught pretty baskets o f fish in

In s these rivulets early in the season . the ummer

s r s run r an tl s r can be these t eam ve y low, d lit e po t expected in a dry season . CHAPTER XII

LLY NS O F T HE GLY D ERS

T HE Glyder group o f mountains extends from — Nantgwryd the valley between Capel C urig and

a o f Gw nan al n n at the he d the y t V ley, e di g

e er — and an r s are un B ddgel t Ll be i , while they bo ded o n so u b n o n and o n n r b the th y S owd , the o th y

a ne are the C r dd Range . These mo untains ex

ceedin l sa a a fe . g y v ge, with summits bo ve et Their scenery has been described by Charles

’ K n s in i g ley Two Years Ago . N umerous rivulets run do wn the rocky go rges o f s ran a lie n a r ra and thi ge, nd lakes be e th thei g y

n f lofty precipices. O n the Snowdo side o the

l ders r a o f D udo d n and G y , the st e ms Cwm y Cwm Patric rush impetuo usly do wn to the higher waters

f S io n n o sea at Car o the e t , which ﬂows i t the

r ar e era narvo n . O n the northern Slo pes the e e s v l

urns f o n a n n s al r u . T he b , mo st o them c t i i g m l t o t

Gwryd takes its rise abo ve Llyn - y- Cwmffyno n o n [ 96 ]

9 8 Fishing in Wales

o f en a at ws end At the outﬂow n L ke, the e t ,

a rs r o n a r fo r n he the w te ush d w go ge, mi g t Falls

f Ben lo a n o f en o o ra . o g g, sce e t ph t g phed The river that drai ns from the llyn takes the nam e

o f en an s ro u he a l f n , d ﬂow th gh t V l ey o N a nt

ran o n as s a sea at an r F c , p t Bethe d , to the B go . Ascending a small stream behind the cottage at

s end o f la o u m a as ﬁnd ur a thi the ke, y y e ily yo w y

to L n wal a la su n o o n in ly Id , b ck, lle p l, lyi g the

f n crater o an extinct vo lca o . This is o ne o f the i ' wildest Spo ts n No rth Wales . The cliﬂs o n three sides o f the lake are o nly scalable in o ne o r two

a in r is no n places . A ch sm the p ecipice k w as

l u o r a f . r nn r Twl dd , the Bl ck Cle t A u el t ickles

’ n s ft fro n - - Cwn s a dow thi cle m Lly y , the Dog L ke,

f e several hundred eet abov Idwal.

r r in a is The e are t out the l ke, which no t mu ch

b n l s an ers u visited y E g i h gl , tho gh I have seen

f m n a number o Bethesda e ﬁshing there. In windy weather the llyn is lashed into white

But u o n r as ns n n billo ws . p th ee occ io whe I we t

a ﬁshin - ro d a r was s ar to Idwal with g , the w te c cely

nd o u o o was o ss . rippled , a the tl k h pele I would

r s ura s r an fro no t , howeve , di co ge the ﬁ he m m

r n to r ut in t s a t yi g tempt the t o hi gloomy l ke, as I understand that they rise well no wan d then Llyns o f the Glyders 99

a r n in July and August. It w s du i g a rather cold

a in ll ns o f Gl ders M y that I ﬁshed these y the y , and sno w was still lying in drifts o n the northern slopes o f the summits .

n Bo chlw d u un r Gl der awr Lly y , high p, de y F , ﬂ is another lonely po ol . I have never cast a y u n bu was a is a r s n po it, t I told th t it bette ﬁ hi g

- - a an a . n Cwn is a a r l ke th Idw l Lly y sm ll me e,

f f r r said to contai n a species o de o med t out . I

n r s n S n o f a ﬁsh in f r d o r have eve ee a ig it, de o me

u fo r all a r u m a be r . otherwise, tho gh th t t o t y the e

r a un r arn n There is o ne othe l ke de G , to the orth

a . is ffi ul ﬁn i west o f Idw l It di c t to d, as it s

' o bluﬂs surro unded by r cky .

Llyn -y - Cwmffyno n is most easily reached from

Pen ass to o f ass o f an r s . yp , the p the P Ll be i A

a s o f a s p th by the ide the hotel le d to the lake . The views o f Sno wdon from t his llyn are m agniﬁ

en in e a r and ra r s f c t cl ar we the , the g y, ocky ides o the Glyder Fach fo rm a wild background to the undulating and boggy bit o f moorland in which yo u ﬁnd yo urself after climbing up fro m the Pass o f Llanberis .

' ro u eral s arm in Cwmﬂ no n but T t lit ly w y , they

n are seldo m taken o ver 3 o u ces each . Some years ago the water was lo wered by the bursting o r — 7 2 100 Fishing in Wales

f a am and s n t removal o d , i ce hen the ﬁsh have been much overcrowded . Fo r trout that rise

dl s l n can n c ar e ma y thi l y o ly be omp ed to Ho w l,

a s r s er in h which I h ve de c ibed el ewh e t ese pages . I have met a Llanberis ﬁsherman who once put f r s o n his as and had o n a ou ﬂie c t , a trout e ch

fly at o ne throw o f the line . I have caught three ’ a ne fr Cwmfl no n i fish t o cast om y , and it s quite common to take a brace at a cast . The lake is usually cold until the middle o f

a he r u n J une . About th t time t t o t begi to feed

l a f voracious y o n surf ce ood . They will take any

a b sort o f artiﬁci l ﬂy, ut it must be dressed small

- fo r these under sized ﬁsh . The black gnat will th always be accepted . O n e Glyder Side o f the ll n er is a r in r n ar s r y th e p oject g ock, e ome ushes.

a r r is and the r u The w te the e deep, t o t are slightly bigger specimens than tho se in other parts o f the

' In Cwmﬂ no n o n a n da in lake. y , wi dy y J uly

u ma un u n a o r August, yo y co t po c tching from

ix z n o f se un r l r four to s do e the h g y ittle t out . If

o u a r usl au the alf- s arv an y h ve p evio y c ght h t ed, l k

n el o u l n tro ut o f Lly How , y wil otice that the

‘ Cwmﬂyno n ﬁsh are o f a much better colour and

el e e a s a shape. I b i v th t thi l ke could be greatly u n improved by judicio s etting.

CHAPTER XIII

T HE D Y SY NNI

T HE s rm an s an n o n r and o o n ﬁ he t di g the b idge, l ki g up the bro ad water o f the D ysynni to wards Craig

Ader n o r r r a y , the Bi d Rock, will eﬂect th t the stream is appropriately named the still o r the

’ n se ss But D s nni o s o f oi le . the y y , like m t the

r rs n n ar an Ba has a un a n ive ﬂowi g i to C dig y, mo t i source and a steep fall fo r several miles o f its

urs . r s ak n a o f r r co e St ictly pe i g, the he d the ive

is s u in ra s a n - - ae to be o ght the c g bove Lly y C ,

r o un r f the wei d, deep lake s me h d ed eet below the F but o n the summit o f Cader Idris. o r practical

o s s o r m a r ar D s nni as purp e , h weve , we y eg d the y y

o f al ll n a fine o and r a the outflow T y y , po l, pe h ps the most attractive o f all the natural fishing llyns

al s s f a i r o f North W e , de pite the act th t ts epute

' a suﬁered o f a r ars has somewh t l tte ye . Issuing from Talyllyn in a swift and narro w ' anne s r a as ns in a o urs n ar ch l , the t e m h te c e e ly parallel to that o f the Mawddach o n the other

1 0 2 T he Dysy nni 103 s o f r un u a n a n f a r ide the g eat d l ti g elev tio o C de , gradually beco ming less bro ken as it appro aches

n n al ni h . re at the wide i g v ley at Pe art He , the point where the high tide ho lds back the ﬂo wo f

D s nni r r i r e as the y y , the ive s accurately desc ib d s fo r i s er a till, t placid water o n a dro wsy summ d y r s i e embles a w de lagoon .

T o the eye o f the dry- ﬂy adept there m ay be

r a o ss s in o n r f fl a r g e t p ibilitie this l g each o at w te . I am no t aware that anyo ne has ever system ati cally fished the length in the true dry- fly style ; but it is certain that a mo dified kind o f dry - fly

as n e s r r i a s r e c ti g will giv po t he e w th light b e ze, and upon days when whipping the water in the wet- ﬂy metho d custo mary in ro ugh streams would o n r su in s ar n n r ly e lt c i g sewi o tro ut . With a s ff s a n the as is ff r n and ti , te dy wi d c e di e e t, the ﬂies m ay be thrown in the tro ugh o f the wavelets

‘ and r as in a s n i r But wo ked l ke ﬁ hi g n a b eeze . there are several reasons why the angler should no t abandon the still water fo r the runs higher up stream until dead calm o r a glaring light co mpels

to d 5 0 . rs o f all r are n f ﬁsh him o Fi t , the e ple ty o in s s r o n e r u o r n thi t etch , m vi g ithe p dow with the

f n r n ﬂow and ebb o the tide . A o the co sideratio n i a an ar ar and r s n r f s th t the b ks e cle , p e e t ve y ew 104 Fishing in Wales

n rances l n cas n h r hi d to o g ti g, w e eas the river

i er r n r abo ve s ov g ow with t ees. It is therefore well to remember that the situation is never quite hopeless while there is the chance o f a clo ud

rar scr n n the sun and tempo ily ee i g , the upspring ing o f a breeze suﬂi cient to slightly ripple the

’ n surface o f the water o the ﬂats. Having co nducted the stranger to the bridge o f

al o n is a u two les o ut o r o n T yb t, which bo t mi T wy ,

’ w a u r r r u Mr. n I ill le d him p the ive , th o gh Wy ne s se u ed o s and a s at Peniarth r cl d w od me d , towa ds

a r n n an ar r th t p omi e t l dm k the Bi d Rock, which commands the valley an d forms a natural keep to

n r r ra n a the narrower a d ude vi e bo ve . But in

' case the gentle stranger should suﬂer any appre hensio n o n the sco re o f trespassing upon the

f Peniarth mus a n domain o , I t expl i that the

r r n s rm n sh n fo r sa n owne g a t tickets pe itti g ﬁ i g lmo ,

- r u e n and r n r u at f l sea t o t, s wi , b ow t o t, the o lowing

s : Fo r seas n 2 as ; fo r o ne m n charge the o , £ o th,

d fo r o n f 5 . 6 e da as. o r a week, 7 y, A salmon license under the Dovey Conservancy

news al o f ense Bo ard is also required . The c e lic

r u n f r in 1 00 are 1 5 . er da charges b o ght i to o ce 9 p y ,

r 1 05 . er n an 1 fo r eas n . 55 . pe week, p mo th, d £ the s o

u d r fo r and rod l n Eq ippe , the e e, with ticket ice se,

106 Fishing in Wales

D s nni and aft r e r 1 n n s y y , e S ptembe 2 , whe the et are o ﬂ s uar i ra an o f the e t y, there s a mode te ch ce bo o kin a n g salmo .

’ o Mr. nn r to Ab ve Wy e s ight, we come the

Peniarth a a n n Mrs . o Uch est te, belo gi g to Sc tt , who strictly reserves the ﬁshing fro m Pout - y

ar Aber l n G th to gwyno wy .

s ndi n s r a en o n b A ce g till highe , l gth w ed y

o n K r e ns a Abe w no lw n and C lo el i kby b gi t rg y y ,

n a he o u f n i a e ds t t tﬂo w o Talylly . I bel eve th t le ave is occasionally given to ﬁsh this po rtio n o f

r r. is r a n ra fro the ive It , howeve , lo g t mp m

n and al n s o rs ro a o s Towy , T ylly vi it will p b bly cho e

o ﬁ h in in r t s the lake rather than the iver.

urn n o n m a ﬁnd s o r n ar Ret i g t Towy , we y p t e

n o n n f D s nni o n the little tow a po rtio o the y y , w ed

- - M r f n n . is a u b r. e o a s y Co b tt , Y ys y M e gwy It bo t

o ne in n and m a be s at the ra s mile le gth, y ﬁ hed te

o f 1 fo r s as n 5 . 6d . a n 5 . a £ the e o , 7 mo th , 4 week ,

1 r da . s n ft and 5 . pe y Thi water extends o the le bank fro m Bryncrug Bro ok to a tidal po o l kno wn

r a a er an is a s o r s r as the B o d W t , d there h t t etch

which can be ﬁshed fro m the right bank o f the river .

- r Bro wn trout ﬁshing begins in Februa y . The

n f r ro u are e ruar ar and best mo ths o t t F b y, M ch,

ri o f un 1 0 un s Ap l. S me baskets o 7 po ds up to po d T he Dy synni 10 7

are no t infrequently made early in the seaso n .

As fo r r in the t ibutaries, which are free some

ases u r as Fath f a r c , s ch b ooks the ew, A on C de ,

at uai n lla o f Llanﬁhan el D o l o ch the q t vi ge g , the g

- - and r n n a un r u . Rhyd y O e , bo d with small t o t The

ass-ﬁshin is ll n n b g, which exce e t at Towy , would require a description to itself

Towyn is a rising little watering- place o n the ’" a r an as - n r C mb i co t li e, p ovided with a good hotel

nd n b ar - u r r a ma y o ding ho ses . The hills ecede f om

n but is a s r a an r the tow , it helte ed pl ce, cle , b ight , and favoured with ample sunshine and bracing

- r sea b eezes . A branch line to Aber runs by

s ral o un ai n r s n n n eve m t b ook , which co tai ple ty

f r o t o ut o f inferio r size . Machynlleth and the best poo ls o f the Dovey are about twelve miles

fro n b i nd i r ra a m Towy y ra l , a it s a sho t ilw y

rn an a h n jou ey to Dolgelley d the M wddac . Towy

is also a co nvenient centre fo r Talyllyn Lake .

u r f 1 00 n D s nni was In the s mme o 9 , whe the y y

in alf a r an n n to r r h ﬂood, ﬁshe m k ow the w ite

’ caught five do zen sewin during a week s fishing. o The same angler took seventy fish in a week o n

r 1 0 an o f a visit during Septembe , 9 0 . M y the

sewin were over 2 pounds each .

The Corbett Arms. CHAPTER XIV

T HE DOVEY

AMO NGST several anglers o f my acquaintance who have ﬁshed the Dovey at M achynlleth are tho se

‘ ’ r a l o n r an who c y Ich bod, whi e, the othe h d,

o f r a o r is no t s me o them ave th t as times g , the e

- a better sea trout and sewin river in North Wales . Confronted by the risk o f incurring the satire o f the dissatisﬁed ﬁshermen if I describe sea - tro ut

s n in a nd na n ﬁ hi g the Dovey s good, o r the i ig tio o f o n n if r n un s o rt nf r r the c te ted I p o o ce the p i e io , I confess that I approach the question with some

r t . rres o n n in feld in 1 8 teme i y Co p de ce the F , 99 , anent the decline o f the rod ﬁshing fo r salmo n in

n ro r the Dovey, we t to p ve a ather bad case. We are r r s a n , howeve , mo e e pec i lly co cerned with the sea- ro u and s n u n t t ewi , tho gh I may me tion in

' passing that the head bailiﬁ o n the river informed me in the spring o f 1 899 that he had a ﬁne Sho w o f sa n o n r s r lmo the edd the p evious winter, and

1 08

1 10 Fishing in Wales as I shrink fro m the inevitable challenge fo r proof. Notwithstanding the modern opinio n that there

' n diﬁerence b n ﬁsh al an rs is o etwee the two , loc gle declare that both sea- trout and sewin are fo und in

o f r er f n r n to ro the D vey, the o m o te g owi g the p

r ns o f sal n s n no r fr u n po tio mo , the ewi t ve y eq e tly

s an ar being taken above a pound in weight . A t d d general ﬂy fo r sewin in the Dovey is a March

r n bu and r s ea - r u s l B ow , t Scotch I i h s t o t ﬂie wi l

r h . T ﬁsh ls u s sfu often att act ﬁs o the poo s cce lly,

r is o f urs n ssar u runs a b eeze , co e, ece y , tho gh will yield sport with the ﬂy whenever sewin are

ra ll n u . s u r r ho t ve i g p It ho ld be emembe ed, w

r a an o f ra r ﬁ n n eve , th t y the mig to y sh be t upo gaining higher waters during a run occasio nally

is refuse to rise. It the slow travellers that

ur l r o s n leis ely exp o e the po l , a d make frequent

o n r o urn halts thei j ey , that are mo st o ften

- . l s n tempted Poo locked ewi , after a considerable

urn in fres a r are usual soj o h w te , ly wary until

' put o h their guard by co lo ur in the river o r the

n In - shades o f eveni g. Sewin ﬁshing it is always well to watch the twilight hour. Y o u m ay have cast all day o ver playing ﬁsh witho ut tempting a

‘ ’ s n e o ne . But in dim se as i gl the p , t hey say in T he Do vey 1 1 1

n sa se n a ar sar o f r Devo , these me wi ppe di med thei

- a u n and o u m a e r r mid d y s spicio , y y g t mo e spo t in that o ne cro wded ho ur than yo u co nceived

u has o f n en m wn at all pro bable. S ch te be y o experience o n Welsh rivers during J uly and

u us n wat r was l ss nd A g t, whe the e hope e ly low a

r b ight . The best stretch o f the Dovey belo ngs to Sir

a k n a s nn t W t i Willi m Wy , wi h whom the Do vey Fishery Asso ciatio n have entered into an arrange ment which enables visiting anglers to ﬁsh the

n f r Preserve o n payme t o £ 2 55 . fo o ne month

1 o e r 1 1 0 (fro m April t S ptembe £ 5 . fo r a fo rt

fo r a and 5 . fo r a n 1 a . ight , £ week, 5 d ily ticket A ro d license under the Dovey Bo ard o f Co n servato rs is also required by all ﬁshermen after

un 1 . fo r un 1 no o rm s n is al J e Be e J e w ﬁ hi g lowed , and spinning is no t permitted after the 1 sth o f

The o e s r that mo nth . D v y Fi he y Asso ciatio n is

n u nt a in r o ne o f the most i ﬂ e i l Wales . The e are

r rs in u and r s en i fo ty membe the cl b, the p e id t s

er r ane e es . The h n r Lo rd H be t V T mp t o . sec etary

e e s lan s Mr. a a n l . is S ckvill Ph lp , New d , M chy l eth So me o f the members o f the Associatio n reside in

n n and r ar s o f n lan but an Lo do othe p t E g d, m y

r en in ne ur o f a are esid t the ighbo hood M chynlleth . 1 1 2 Fishing in Wales

U ndoubtedly the M achynlleth length o f the D ovey aﬁo rds the best sport with salmo n and

- r u th u r r n sea t o ut, altho gh e ppe wate s at Di as

' Mawddwy and Mallwyd often ﬁsh well after a

a . In r s r o f ulas a r u Sp te the lowe t etch the D , t ib

ar o n n sso ia o n re n t y ﬂ wi g i to the A c ti P serve, sewi

an x at an e ur n e c be e pected y tim d i g th season, provided that the stream ho lds a goo d vo lu me o f

r alle r e a wate . The Dovey V y f om Cemma s Ro d

n he sea is and r r Statio to t wide, the e are ve y few

r s and us s m ﬂ s n . i t ee b he to i pede y ﬁ hi g There s,

r a s no t r r er in a es a pe h p , o he iv W l that ppears

f a ﬂ prettier to the eye o y ﬁsherman . So me o f

runs at n s are a fo r as n n the the be d ide l c ti g, a d the open character o f the valley greatly favo urs the chances o f ruﬁ ed water o n the poo ls.

n r n in Bro wn trout are i c easi g the Dovey . No t

l n a o m n tr u er s ar but th e very o g g com o o t w e c ce, record o f baskets made during recent seaso ns

r is f f ﬁ proves that the rive ull o sh . The heaviest

r u au un s an bro wn t o t c ght weighed 5 po d , d many ﬁsh o f 2} po unds and 2 pounds were

ne- un r u ma no w sa taken . O po d t o t y be id to

n n abound in the Assoc iatio le gth . The season fo r bro wn tro ut opens o n April 1 in the Asso ciatio n

r an d o n ar 1 in m st o f tr u wate , M ch o the ib taries .

1 1 4 Fishing in Wales railway has been cut into this lonely amphitheatre

n and er are two n o f the mo u ntai s, th e co venient

b he r r o ne at all d and h r hotels y t ive , M wy the ot e

er ra n at Dinas Mawddwy, wh e the ilway e ds . The ﬁshing in the Dovey is here owned by Sir

un kl but is o l Edm d Buc ey, v itors t the Buck ey

r s e nas a and Peniarth A m Hot l, Di M wddwy , the

s o e al are r ﬁ h Arm H t l, M lwyd, pe mitted to s the

m a n e er ha n r f length . We y ot h e t t the Ma o o Mawddwy was once in the possession o f that M r an a t o n . eccentric spo tsm , J ck y t

r ar Besides the Dovey, the e e several minor

i n o ur o f nas a streams n the eighb hood Di M wddwy , the o ne most favoured o f anglers being the

In o f a r Cleiﬁo n . time high w te salmon and

n nas and s r r sewin travel beyo d Di , po t with b own

h n ur n r n n trout as bee good d i g ece t seaso s,

n M especially in April a d ay . The ﬁshing fo r trout O pens here o n February 1 and ends o n

r 0 al n and n an Septembe 3 . S mo sewi gling begins

1 and o n o r 0 o n May closes N vembe 3 . In the

nll a r sal n sea- u n Machy eth w te , mo , tro t, a d sewin

n ns o n Ma 1 and is s ﬁshi g ope y , clo ed to the

r 1 6 n general public o n Septembe . Withi a radius o f ten miles o f Machyn lleth there are at least a

re o f s n a r i sco ﬁ hi g w te s. It s a hilly drive to T he Do vey 1 1 5

al n bu the la an r a fr T ylly , t ke c be e ched om

ach nlleth b o rr s rai a ra M y y the C i lw y . Seve l

un a n n n a mo t i pools can be ﬁshed by obtai i g le ve ,

n and every slope is watered by merry little bur s.

r a asan as r s r At Abe dovey, ple t little se ide e o t, ra r in s rs pidly g owing popularity among vi ito ,

r i f n f - h n r a s the e s o te very air bass ﬁs i g f om bo t .

r are r nl and The e th ee hotels in M achy leth , anglers will also ﬁnd acco mmodatio n at Cemmaes

o a and in far u urse R d, mhouses througho t the co o f o the D vey . CHAPTER XV

BALA LAKE

‘ BALA LAKE is the largest natural Sheet o f water in i Wales. It s a little less than fo ur miles in

n and a o u alf a a r it le gth, b t h mile c oss, while s

a f waters cover acres . The Welsh n me o

a is n Te i and so o n ro a a the l ke Lly g d, me e, p b bly

a o n has ris n r Pim blemere. S x , ch te ed the wate

s n s - s un n na is o r sa t Thi E gli h o di g me , h weve , id o

n a a a n o f im llw o r a f be a d pt tio p p y , the L ke o the

Five Parishes. The owner o f Bala Lake is Sir Watkin Williams

nn r s r s a r n o f wa r at Wy , who e e ve po tio the te the

r end r er is a s n a. uppe , whe e th e ﬁ hi g vill This leaves several hundreds o f acres o pen to the public

n fo r trout and coarse ﬁshi g. At the Bala end o f

a r is a s a o f ro n - a s the l ke the e m ll ﬂeet wi g bo t ,

l n ur s s and suitable fo r ang i g p po e , some lighter i b f ’ craft fo r scullers. It s ut a ew minutes walk

Hotels : Wh te L o n Pl i i , ascoch .

1 1 6 r1 8 Fishing

a s and r a e he had r a n t o b y , el t d how t ied v i ly B charm them with artiﬁcial and natural ﬂies. ut

u n ar a a n his a m s and at ill l ck i v i bly tte ded tte pt , length he came to the decision that the big tro ut

n n o f this water were ho pelessly Shy and cun i g.

n n a few ars a o a fa r nu r o f U til withi ye g , i mbe heavy trout were taken annually with the tro lling

ro d . But r o f su ss and so u the true sec et cce , the l tion o f what may be called the mystery o f Bala

a was s o r b a n an who has L ke, di c ve ed y ge tlem

a n u his uar rs b a er af er an t ke p q te y the w t , t ex perience o f loch ﬁshing in Sco tland and in the

r o o e f I ish l ughs . It was no t s much the m tho d o an n gli g as the bait that was at fau lt . Bala Lake s ar i a ar n u o n w ms with perch . It s pp e tly p the immature perch that the bigger trout feed. A s al r rsa ﬁn sn o ff is m l pe ch, with the do l ipped , the lure that captures the greater nu mber o f these

co ro u . so r a er s o er es su y t t Like me g e t di c v i , I p

e a n u pos th t this o ne was the result o f accide t . B t if was u o o f reaso n n s o r r it the o tc me i g, the di c ve e deserves the warmest thanks o f the angling com

un and a r asur f r m ity , ve y high me e o praise fo his

n nu . And n in an ase us i ge ity , i deed , y c , we m t thank him fo r sho wing the way to entice the biggest tro ut to be caught anywhere within the Bala Lake 1 1 9

e r n o f W lsh border. Ce tai ly late years the score o f large trout taken from Bala Lake has mo unted i high . It s no t impossible no wfo r anglers to get

’ fro m three to five fine trout in a day s spinning from a boat . I believe that the heaviest fish caught s a n ar un a c led e ly 8 po ds . A bo atman tells me th t

r are ar r r an r the e l ge t o ut th this in the wate . At an ra re us be a r ar e nu r o f y te, the m t ve y l g mbe a r an ﬁsh in a e u n b su ss lde m ic the l k , j dgi g y the cce attained by three o r four regular anglers during r ecent seasons. To ﬁsh at Bala to advantage yo u should stay in

o n and a a a fa o ura rn n fo r the t w , w it v ble mo i g the

a . r us a o o re u no t l ke The e m t be g d b eze, tho gh fr n a r a n n o m the east . E gage eliable tte da t who

n s a r an a r a . a o ur k ow the w te , d oomy bo t H ve y

a s u fr s if o ss and r a fo r b it q ite e h p ible, e dy the

ar n r spinning ﬂight at st ti g. U se a o d with a

ro n to o ut a o u 60 o r 0 ar s o f n t lli g p ; let b t 7 y d li e, o r n o re and a a o n eve m , h ve weight the ﬂight to

r a n Sink the bait . You bo tma will scull yo u at the r r a at a s o r s an fr the s r p ope p ce h t di t ce om ho e, o r into such parts o f the lake as he co nsiders likely

’ fo r a run . n et s o r s a n Do t g leepy , l cke your a en o n u n r Y u m ﬁ h tt ti po the eel . o ay hook a s at an m n y mo e t . 1 20 Fishing in Wales

s s ro u r are r o r f ur so r s o f Be ide t t, the e th ee o t

oars ﬁsh in a a . are en fu and c e Bal L ke Pike pl ti l, give capital spo rt in the autumn and winter

o n s r a es o f e a m th . So me ve y weighty c tch pik h ve

er r been secured from the lake by tro ll s. Pe ch

r fr r m a be bi bite ve y eely o n some days. The e y g

r in wa r but as a ru t are no t pe ch the te , , le, hey

* r caught over i o r pound apiece . The e are some po ints where the co arse ﬁsherman m ay take

r fr s o r s a rno s r r pe ch om the h e with the p te te , lege , o r ﬂoat tackle . By varying your ﬁshing fro m tro ut to pike an d

r u a S l ar r n pe ch , yo m y have port al the ye ou d at

i o u f r h Bala . When the weather s unpro piti s o t e la he n s r s o f the s r ke, t umerou trout st eam di t ict can f r r i be ﬁshed . Perhaps the best o the ive s s

Tr wer n ns o s Bala the y y , which joi the Dee cl e to

un n n is fr n n J ctio Statio . There a ee le gth ear the

i ﬁne s r f town . Above that there s a t etch o very

- s a r r r d fo r rs. er ﬁ hy w te , p ese ve ticket holde A p mit

fo r da s s s 6d . If a r is in r r the y co t a . the w te o de , yo u will be sure to get sport here . Wading sto ckings are necessary in this river.

In recent seasons ﬁshermen from O ldham and elsewhere

ave h d x l n fr l r - i n w h a e cel e t spo rt by ee y g o und ba ti g ith wo rms. R esults Sho wthat there are many perch o f 1 po und in th e water. Pik u e p to 20 po unds have been taken .

1 2 2 Fishing in Wales

r re ﬁ h o f 1 o un which rise well in May . The e a s p d ,

f he s and v r in a er. The aun s o t o e , the w t h t bigge t

n ﬁsh can be reached by wadi g. There is a tradition that the water o f the D ee does no t mingle with that o f B ala Lake . Such legends are told o f o ther rivers ﬂowing into and

er e b emerging from lakes. It is also ass t d y old writers that the ﬁsh o f th e mere are distinct in their kinds from tho se fo und in the rivers that f e o r ssu fr a r The e o f e d it i e om its w te . d pth

a a a i o a o 1 0 f in o ne ar B l L ke s said t be b ut 4 eet p t ,

n n a d it is undo ubtedly deep i man y places .

B a n an ar ra n fro a a o u m a y t ki g e ly t i m B l , y y

’ a e a fa r o n a s s n in n Gem allt h v i ly l g d y ﬁ hi g Lly ,

s n o a a a a u n an d co n Fe ti i g, l ke with bo t po it ,

a n n ﬁne r er are tw a es b t i i g some t o ut . Th e o l k y

r n * an d s e o rs in the n o ur the A e ig, om the eighb

o o o f ra sf n r a s Pr o r r h d T w y ydd, whe e l o the ys Rive

n Bu r i f n ca be ﬁshed . t the e s plenty o ﬁshi g to be o btained in the immedi ate n eighbo u rho o d o f

n o f ala o ns ra e n u er f the to w B . A c ide bl mb o salmon are caught in the upper T ryweryn in the

n autu m .

Llyn Arenig contains plenty o f perch and so me very

h eavy tro ut. The trout give the best spo rt in September

and O cto ber. Bala Lake 1 2 3

n ala us no t f r o m n Before leavi g B , I m t o get t e

ﬁ a n in tion a peculiar sh which bou ds the lake .

s i w niaid ﬁsh o r fr s - a r Thi s the g y , white , e h w te

rr n so na e b r aso n o f S r s en he i g, m d y e the ilve y he

f i ﬁsh i r in a o ts scales . The s desc ibed the l ter

’ editio ns o f Houghton s British Fresh water

’ s es and au o r r a s the ro u Fi h , the th el te t ble to which he was put in o btaining a specimen o f the

n gwy iai d fo r examination . I believe that this ﬁsh has never been known to rise to the artiﬁcial

fl no r a n so r o f ai . w niaid y, to t ke a y t b t The g y are o er e es au in o ns ra e , h wev , so m tim c ght c ide bl n n are ro n un un a n umbers in ets. They p o ced ple sa t in as b so rso ns o rs fin t te y me pe , while the d them o f r u ve y agreeable flavo ur. O ne a thority has averred that the white fish are so exquisitely delicate as to mo re than rival in flavour the lips

’ o f r f the fai maids o Bala .

No o u r u n w niaid and d bt the pike p ey po the g y , it is pro bable that the large tro ut demo lish a

oo an o f . ft r a s r o n a g d m y them A e to m the l ke, the pebbly beaches are o ften strewn with dead

w niaid r fa b n g y , which have met thei te y bei g

n n s dashed by the waves upo the sto es. The e ﬁsh do no t appear to attain mo re than 6 o r 7

n n a n o unces in weight . The si gle specime obt i ed 1 24 Fishing in Wales b u n was if r r r l un r y Ho ghto , I emembe ight y, de i wu d

ur n s aso n at a a ro u D i g the e B l , the t t

f n r ﬂ a s o te ise to the artiﬁcial y . The b y

n ca be ﬁshed by wading o r from the shore . A high wind is essential.

1 2 6 Fishing in Wales

' a n but n r aﬂ n r there is some po chi g, eithe the g o

- n r a a a am stroke hauli g can do g e t d m ge . But I well advised that bo th in the Conway and Lledr trammel- nets are used as well as the pole and

r - ne s f r r o f urs is d ag t . The o me , co e, the most

o f r e . rdl r has n no deadly the th e Thi y, the e bee a r s a rs o r S u sa ttempt to e tock the w te , , I ho ld y, to f restock every year. Most o the spawning beds

ﬁne ra l so r few o f are g ve , ve y the o va ever come to maturity Night- lining has practically de

’ Lledr as a tr u r stroyed the o t iver. This melancholy repo rt is unfortunately co r

’ ro bo rated b Mr. l s O er an an a y E li N t, ged Welsh

r and an l r o f D o l ddelen autho g e , y , who writes in

n r ess s ra eve a mo e p imi tic st in . Previous to the f r a o n o f a o a an n u n o m ti l c l gli g cl b o the Lledr,

n 1 Mr i 8 . s which died 94, Elli says : O ur waters had n o a b r s bee p ched y eve y cheme and device . Salmo n were grabbed by tying three large hooks

a to a and a a n a n b ck b ck, tt chi g li e to the ho o ks .

o was r r u a u an A h le bo ed th o gh b llet, d the bullet fas n l n n ar te ed to the i e e the hooks, and the lin e was ra ro d a o n d gged with the l g the river. It was with a method like that that all salmon and sewin

er au and are au b w e c ght, c ght, y those who go o ut

’ un r the r n o f s n fair de p ete ce ﬁ hi g ly . h I 2 T e Conway , Lledr, and Llugwy 7

ra n - net and na a als The t wli g , lime, dy mite h ve o

’

n u e . O ur a rs a en ane bee s d w te h ve be cle d,

‘ o ur a r writes my co rrespondent. In w te s we

ba have less salmon and trout than we ever d .

’ n r They are decreasi g eve y year . I am info rmed that the best stretch fo r salmon * n n a i refriw a r is o the Co w y s at T . The w te o wned by the Earl o f Carringto n and the Earl o f

n as r who ssue s ro u e r a n s. A c te , i ticket th gh th i ge t

F n n 1 O n o r salmo n the seaso o pens o May .

’ Lord Ancaster s length the season ticket is

1 Ma 1 o u u 1 . r 0 1 05 . r s £ F om y t A g t 3 , £ 4 F om

Ma I to un 0 o ne o n 1 o ne y J e 3 , m th, £ ; week,

1 05 . o ne da 25 . 6d . ro u 1 to u us 1 y, F m J ly A g t 3 ,

o ne n o ne e o ne da 5 . mo th, £ 2 ; we k, y, 4

ro e r 1 o 0 fo r a fo r n 2 F m S ptembe t 3 , £ 3 ; t ight , £ ;

e 1 . ro o r 1 to o r 1 a w ek, £ F m O ct be 4 N vembe 4,

fo r n a 2 . s n is a o e £ 7 ; t ight, £ 3 ; week, £ Fi hi g ll w d

ﬂ fro sunr se to suns o n un a s with y m i et , except S d y ;

o r s o n nno o r ra n o n and with w m , po , mi w, p w

s are o a n Fridays and Saturdays o nly . Ticket bt i

a es o anr s a r o able ar the E gl H tel, Ll w t ; W te l o

o s- - e and Vue H tel, Bettw y Co d ; Belle Hotel ,

Trefriw.

’ o f rr n to n s a r o n n a The Earl Ca i g w te the Co w y,

ll Vu Hotels Be e e and Ship. 1 28 Fishing in Wales fro m Coed Garreg Gwalch Plantation to Llanrwst

r e can be s e at f l B idg , ﬁ h d the o lowing charges :

n ' Ma 1 un O e e h o m 0 s. o ne w ek, y to J e 3 , 4 ; day,

I S. r ul 1 to u us 1 o ne F om J y A g t 3 , week,

o ne da 1 5 . 6d . r r 1 0 n y , F om Septembe to 3 , o e

e o ne da s. r w ek, y, a F om October 1 to

r 1 o ne o ne d 5 Novembe 4, week , ay, 3 . Fish ing with bait is allowed when the river is dis

l ur l o n r a s and a ur a co o ed, a so F id y S t d ys. Tickets are a n at anr s to be obt i ed the Ll w t hotels.

’ O n the Earl o f Ancaster s length o f the Lledr the charges are fo r salmon and sea-tro ut : Fro m

Ma 1 er 1 2 o ne n y to Novemb 4, £ ; mo th,

o ne s. o ne da 1 5 . Fl n i week, 3 ; y, y o ly s allo wed

- n h r . s at la r o t is st etch Ticket L n wst, Bettws y

l l n . r n Go od, and D o ydde e The wate exte ds o n the no rth bank from the west boundary o f Cwm

n Lled r r an in Galy Farm to B idge, d the river

u fr s ut an n fr n - - ai r Ll gwy ( om o h b k o ly) om Po t y P ,

s- - o n u n o f a r r Bettw y Coed, to the c ﬂ e ce th t ive with the Co nway .

The trout- ﬁshing o n the Gwydyr Estate in the

u ls La ar s o f n - - F l Ll gwy, E i ke, p t Lly y o e , and Capel Curig Lakes and tributary streams is open

1 0 fro m March to September 3 . The tickets are :

Fo r o l r 25 . 6d . fo r o e I the wh e pe iod, ; n week, S .

1 30 Fishing in Wales

i r o f r n acco unt . There s a st etch that rive abou d

n ro u and b n na c ssi is no t i g with t t, ei g i c e ble, it

f h f n o verﬂshed. In April and May this lengt o te

' ﬂ r s r f r lass and a an m a o ds po t o the ﬁ st c , t y ti e when the stream is in ply the angler m ay be sure

f o f r u a ard o success. The best basket t o t I h ve he

- r n f o f fro m this water was Sixty five fish . F ie ds o mine have taken three to fo ur dozen fish in a

a o n s l n t t ﬂ ar in s as n d y thi e g h, wi h the y, e ly the e o . The water can be ﬁshed by visitors to the Voelas

r s n r as o r a a ar o f 6d . a A m , Pe t e Voel , t ch ge 25 .

da . ﬂ r is a so a e a y A good y he e oty h ckl , with

n e are dull ora ge body . Hac kle ﬂi s said to be the

fo r r e e are o r r i best this wate . Th r the st eams n

n ur o f n r as m the eighbo hood Pe t e Voel , which ay

i b r somet mes be ﬁshed y pe mission . CHAPTER XVII

THE DWYFAWR AND D WYFACH

FO R the South Carnarvo nshire rivers the most

n n n n r is r a co ve ie t ce t e C iccieth, pleasant little s as o n n - l s fr e ide t w , twe ty two mi e om Carnarvon b ra and a o u il s fr y il, b t eight m e om Pwllheli . The

D w fawr and its r u ar D fach y t ib t y, the wy , are a ra - n r rs and but l l tt ctive looki g ive , itt e overgro wn

r o n a n a with t ees. They c t i goo d number o f

r u an in u us e n t o t, d A g t , Sept mber, a d O cto ber there is a run o f sewin and salmon to these streams. The source o f the D wyfawr is above Cwm

s l in m un a n s s u - T rwg , the o t i wild to the o th west

n and no t far fro n a r o f Snowdo , m Lly G de , which is mentioned in the sectio n dealing with Beddge

n i s s n fro bills s s r lert . O t de ce t m the , thi t eam

r s Ci rwth - . receives several b ook ; Cwm p , Cwm lie

an G nneu D do l n r r n brith , d e t bei g the th ee p i cipal feeders above the village o f Llanﬁhangel-y - Pen

r D w fawr ns and a nant . He e the y wide , mile o r — 1 3 1 1 9 2 1 3 2 Fishing in Wales

50 n re es o n l f an a r a o dow ceiv , the e t b k, st e m ﬂ w

in fr n e n stradl n un r B . g om Lly y y , de M o el ebog

s r u ar ar d f n H n n Thi t ib t y, m ke A o e wy o the

n Ma i r na s s s a Y r l n . O d ce p, ometime c lled the st ad y It is joined o n the left bank by the drainage o f

Llyn D u . The D wyfawr ﬂows o n to Dolbenmaen village without receiving any tributary until the condu

n o f D w fa h a n an h e ce the y c t Bo t Fech , below t e

la o f lan s u un r - o l s pretty vil ge L y t mdwy , de tw mi e from Criccieth . Thence the river runs in a short

1? s r r a r are course to the bay . thi lowe e ch the e large tro ut .

D w fach r s s in - r- Haf u The y i e Cwm y , abo t i feet above the sea . It s soon crossed by the Car

r n ro a an ra a ra r na vo d d the ilw y . At the il b idge it is joined by a brook o n the right bank rising in

n no ro u f f r r the Cly g g p o mountains. Be o e each in r n r a n r r is an inn g B y ki St tio , whe e the e , the river is twice spanned by the railway . At Pont Felin the D wyfach ﬂo ws in an almost parallel

urs a o f D w fa r r rs co e to th t the y w, the two ive being about a mile apart . There is another bridge below Pont Felin ; thence the stream ﬂo ws past Llanystumdwy and to its j unction with the D w f w y a r.

1 34 Fishing in Wales

dr u la r . ar o ght, the ke gives good spo t Ne the

n o utlet is a capital point in certain winds . O ce a year the owner nets the shallower parts o f the

ll n o r o f th a r ﬁsh . y , and thins ut a numbe e sm lle

a r ers an an o f The w te is ov tocked, d like m y the

arns in u r an Y stra l n ul r t C mbe l d, d y co d be imp oved

b u f y the j udicious se o the net.

r h lls at r n e re s Ove the i , P e t g, about th e mile

fr r ma r i all l o rt om Po t doc, the e s a sm ake well w h

r a visit . It is most easily reached from Po t

a l b fr r . se m doc , ﬁve mi es y rail om C iccieth Choo

ar r u u - o n a d k, o gh day, and se medium Sized ﬂies

n a in ﬁne tackle . The trout average a po u d e ch

s l and are no t fr r s rs . But s thi poo , they ee i e ome

ar and s ﬁsh are times they e to be tempted, the e

n ho has worth catching. I have met o ne a gler w

a r a o n o f e r u all r a c ught ove d ze th se t o t, ove

u n n a n . n ar l po d apiece, ﬁshi g t ight I eed h d y add that I have heard o f ﬁshermen who could

Y u no t rise a single trout in this lake . o may

r o r a make a handsome basket he e, yo u m y do nothing but whip the water and lament your bad luck . I believe that this u nnamed llyn was stocked

t ﬁsh au fro Y r r u wi h c ght m Cwm st adlyn . The t o t are said to have thrived amaz ingly in this fresh T he Dwyfawr and Dwy fach 1 35

r nd n r as in r i as r wate , a the i c e e thei weight s c ibed

a i o f a r- sna ls a un in to d et w te i , which bo d the pool.

n i m rr ar l s r am o win The We s a e y , cle litt e t e ﬂ g into the sea close to Afo nwen J unction o n the

- a can r a in a f coast line . This stre m be e ched ew minutes by rai l from Criccieth . O ne o f the local ﬁshermen gets nice baskets from the Afon Wen

r with the worm in clear wate . I believe that the

Wen ho lds plenty o f small trout .

r o r 1 8 s s r a s r no t a ua P i to 99 , the e t e m we e deq tely

r nd o a n was r f r u u prese ved , a p chi g i e th o gho t the

r . I u n o f a ar u dist ict n the aut m th t ye , the So th Carnarvonshire Board o f Conservators was re

r an and nu r o f m rs r u o g ized, the mbe embe ed ced .

B - a an r u a ns a n ssu an y l ws d eg l tio h ve bee i ed, d

‘ is ro s aﬂo rd r r o n ro u it p po ed to eve y p otecti to t t, sal n n in r rs an mo , and sewi the ive d tributaries o f the district between Portmadoc and the west

coast o f the Lleyn Promontory. CHAPTER XVIII

LAKE VY RNWY

R V ni L i lar s S o f VY NWY, or er ew, ake s the ge t heet

r in s an d ns r as a s n a wate Wale , , co ide ed ﬁ hi g l ke , it may be called the Loch Leven o f the Prin ci

lit F r u -ﬁshin ﬂ r is no pa y. o r t o t g with the y the e better llyn in Wales Bala Lake holds bigger

r u an n and so s ra o f t o t th Vyr wy, do eve l the mountain tarns ; but the ﬁsh in these waters are by no means so free in rising as those o f the famous Montgomeryshire reservoir. The construction o f this huge reservoir by the

r ra n o f r lwas n in 1 8 1 Co po tio Live poo comme ced 8 , and the water was ﬁrst tapped in the city o n

1 1 . n a the a rs o f a July 2 , 892 Be e th w te the l ke,

o f f are r a ns o f at a depth 35 eet, the em i the old

a o f lan n and its s an e ur vill ge L wddy di m tl d ch ch , and all over its great acreage trout swim in legions

o n s er e r f n am g the ubm g d t ees and e ces. The basin in which the lake lies is 825 feet abo ve the 1 36 J

1 38 Fishing in Wales

' excellent sport which Vyrnwy aﬂo rds in favour

ea r able w the .

n ar r and Ma The season ope s o n M ch 1 . Ap il y

r fa ur o n s but r u are pe haps the vo ite m th , the t o t rise more o r less freely throughout the summer. During 1 899 the best basket o f trout caught in

h ﬂ as f rt - r and the the lake with t e y w o y th ee, weight 37} pounds. In the rivers preserved by the hotel the biggest catch in 1 899 was thirty

n ﬁ r r n b seve sh . By efe e ce week y week to the r f in rn i n o urnals eports o takes Vy wy n the a gling j , the intendi ng visitor will be able to form an idea

o n o f the sport that m ay be expected . The seas

f 1 i r o 903 opened well . O ne ro d took s xteen t o ut

fa r in a few hours o f the ﬁrst week. The vou ite

ﬂ in 1 0 was u r r ss d ra r bi . y 9 2 the b tche , d e e the g About 650 ac res o f the lake are strictly reserved

n d r n ar e er fo r ﬂy ﬁshing. Spin ing an t olli g p

r a n n r n o f wa r miffed o n the em i i g po tio the te ,

o f n l r about 550 acres. Flies with a bit ti se p ove

a r. ar r n attractive in this w te A M ch B ow , with

is r o n e and gold twist to the body, ec mme d d , the

" ulu and co chybo nddu will often kill well.

i r rn The Vyrnwy River s a tributa y o f the Seve .

was na he amnis i o sus in fo r r a s It med t p sc me d y ,

en sa n ro u and ra n r n an . wh lmo , t t, g yli g we e abu d t Lake Vyrnwy I 39

i ll a - n s r a and r Vyrnwy s sti sport givi g t e m, the e

an are some pleasant villages near to its b ks . A

r r good centre fo r the lower portions o f this ive , and fo r ana is Llan m nach a few s the T t, y y , mile

' fro r L n m O swest y . lansaintﬂraid is another angli g

res r in al o f r o t the v ley the Vy nwy. CHAPTER XIX

FISHING AT LLAN BERIS

’ IT is r a s so n an " , pe h p , mewhat stra ge that Ll beris should no t be better kno wn by the English ﬁsher men whojourney yearly to N o rth Wales in quest o f

ro u n r un o f a s er t ti g qua ters . The Chamo i W le c tainly attracts a very large number o f tourists and day - trippers bo und fo r the summit o f Sno wdon by

un ai n - r r af But an rs the mo t ailway o oot . the gle

ho s a are fe es e fa w come to t y w, d pit the ct that s ra a e n r o s o f m fr a eve l l k s a d st eams, m t the ee, nd s o f s r - n are n as ome them po t yieldi g, withi e y driving o r walking distance o f the village that has sprung up o n the bank o f Llyn Padarn sin ce the

n n o f n fr m rnar n ope i g the branch li e o Ca vo . It may be that the pro ximity o f two large slate

uarr s o n n f men r an q ie , empl yi g hu dreds o , dete s m y

Ho tels V cto r a Padarn ll A artments : T Gw n i i , Vi a. p y y

- Mrs. Llo d William s Br n T Mrs . M Pr h d ( y ), y eg ( . itc ar ),

Glenaber Mrs. A . Wi ( lliams). . 1 4° 1

1 42 Fishing in Wales

AS I wish to render practical assistance to trout

l n ex a i ﬁshermen, I wil o t p t ate here upon the grandeur o f the wild mo untai ns that encompass

an er s r ra s re ecte in e Ll b i , thei c g ﬂ d the d ep, dark

la es . I is r a s en u s ha k t , pe h p , o gh to ay t t, with the exception o f the disﬁgurement caused by the

r a s - u rr o n S o f Elid r g e t late q a y the ide y , most

a f un ns er is marv ll us sh pely o mo tai , th e e o beauty

’ in the savage scene that meets the angler s gaze as he drifts in his boat o n the upper lake at sunset

- in summer time .

r ll n n n as r s is ns This highe y , k ow Pe i , imme ely

ee in ar s and in rs sha o and s d p p t , othe ll w lightly

- r n ns o f s a ru a en weed g ow . To l te bble h ve be Sho t

n r s f r n r n r s i to the deepe ide, o mi g p omo to ie here

and r . But re a st un r the uarr the e he , lmo de q y, lur s f s r u a la e k ome o the bigge t t o t th t the k holds. O n many a May evening I have watched these

r heavy ﬁsh rising with a swi l to moths. Some o f them probably weigh 3 pounds apiece. I have

r l o ne o f se ns rs . r are neve hand ed the mo te The e ,

r an r n r u in s la ho weve , m y b ight golde t o t thi ke

un u ar s r se r o r s from 1 po d pw d , which i mo e le s

a r n s as n n a s a freely , cco di g to the e o , whe te dy breeze is blo wing. I have seen a do zen present able ﬁsh caught with the ﬂy from a j utting roc k Fishing at Llanberis 1 43 at the Nant Peris end o f the llyn during a Short

f rn n o f a te oo rise . A brace the catch were over

un a and o rs r b n an ﬁ po d e ch, the the we e y o me s

r r r despicable ﬁsh . These Pe is t out ﬁght despe

a o r n n n s r a tely, b i g dow i to the deep with g e t

strength . The right o f ﬁshing in Llyn Peris is reserved

r s he r a o e Llan r fo vi itors to t Victo i H t l, at the be is

end o f l r are so s a u the ake The e me te dy, t bby

a s and a n an s can n a . Padarn bo t , tte d t be e g ged ,

is se ara fr r s b a s r s r a which p ted om Pe i y ho t t e m ,

o n a n r o f u f r r is a free lake . It c t i s t out abo t ou o

o o un and a ro o r o n f r r n ﬁve t the p d, p p ti o la ge a d

h r r f r mo re wary ﬁs . The e are seve al boats o hire

a an r s i s n s un o n a r a t Ll be i . A b g to e l g ope nd

’ dropped over the gunwale midship5 will act as check as the boat mo ves broadside before the

wind.

These lakes abound with char. September and

r are s n s fo r ar- ﬁshin and Octobe the be t mo th ch g, after a night frost heavy catches are made by

a an rs us n the red rm o r a n loc l gle , i g wo m ggot o

a a shotted line . The depth t which the bait must be sunk depends u po n the caprice o f the

o l o ar a r e r aun s sh a s f ch , which le ve thei s c et h t

n in ar and ran la s o ce the ye , ge the ke, sometime 1 44 Fishing in Wales near the surfa o f he wa r an ce t te , d at o ther times a couple o f fathoms down O n a favourable day it is no t unusual fo r ﬁshermen to take 1 0 o r 12

un s o f ar. Bu ar a r f rs po d ch t ch are c p icious eede ,

’ and a good day s sport m ay be fo llo wed by several

o r o r n an a s n ﬁ h b rn p o , eve bl k , d y , whe the s stub o ly r fuse an f ar - ﬁ n e to touch y so rt o bait . In ch shi g

a r the bo t is ancho ed .

n er o l B i o u fr m U d M e il o, ab t two miles o Llan

r i l h h n be is, s L yn D wyt wc . This lake co tains

s r r . l n o he hand ome ed t out It be o gs t Mr. Ass to n

’ m o f Va no l r n s a a n S ith, y , who g a t d y s ﬁshi g to

lan b r i a . L e is visitors. There s a bo t o n the llyn

al o f a u f ur es fro lan r A w k bo t o mil m L be is,

r u ass o f a r n an th o gh the P M es cwm , b i gs the gler

n Cwell n o r uell n i so to Lly y , Q y Lake, as it s me

s all . Cwell n is a l n f er time c ed y o g sheet o wat , s un b un ai r i m urro ded y high mo t ns. The e s a co fo rtable little hotel (the Snowdon Ranger) by the

an ro r r d r o f waterside, d the p p ieto hol s the ight

a n r t ﬁshing in the lake . Bo ts ca be hi ed a the

la i l su i ro u o f hotel. The ke s wel pplied w th t t

un but r are s r abo ut ﬁve to the po d, the e ome bigge

ar ro a s n ﬁsh in the water. Fo r the l ge t ut use pi

n n nno r na al a a n il . i g mi w, eithe tur o r sm ll Devo qu l The crag that shelters Llyn Cwellyn o n the Side

1 46 Fishing in Wales

There are several small llyns under the ridges

- - o f n n. A n t ar nno n as S owdo mo g hem e n y Gw ,

’ c an ur- no w Go h, d D arddu . All these pools are in ri vat han s and a i r fﬁ u p e d , le ve s ve y di c lt to

n obtai .

Two la es a ntran f D s- - n k t the e ce o rw y Coed, o

s u - s S o f n C ell n r the o th we t ide Lly w y , hold ve y

oo d r u re r s r re g t o t They a , howeve , t ictly p

serve . ll ns ar un b a narro ann d The y e ited y wch el , and o ne o f i n D ar hen an them s amed yw c , d the

- - n - - other Bwlch y Moch . Draini gLlyn y D ywarchen is a s r a l Ll ﬁn f r s t e m ca led the y , which o m the

l s an Pen ro es and Nant le lake , d ﬂows to yg the sea . This river and the lakes at Nantlle have been

n ha mercilessly poached by quarryme . I ve heard such poor accounts o f the ﬁshing in this locality

a h a Th Ll ﬁ n i th t I ave voided it scrupulously . e y s

r i n a unde the Se o t Bo rd .

r r o ne o r To return to Llanbe is. The e is m e

r n n n Pen wr d s and lake unde S owdo , o the yg y ide, it can be reached by fo llowing the ro ad thro ugh

ass o f an r s u new e n the P Ll be i p to the hot l, ow ed

Mr n at Pen ass. r urn o n by . Cobde , yp He e t the

nd f n ro a as n Te rn . right , a ollow the mi e d p t Lly y

ro in l b i There are t ut this weedy ittle poo l, ut it s

no t o o a er fo r ﬂ . n Lli f g d w t the y Lly daw, eet Fishing at Llanberis 1 47

r sea so n o s n o f ove the , o c me i t sight a ter passing

T n eyr . There are many quaint stories told about this s r la n ﬁ h omb e ke a d the s that frequent it . It is said that the trout co me to the surface fo r a few m nu s o n in few o r r n i te ce a h u s, du i g which time

o u ma bo o k o ne o r ﬁsh a y y two good . I h ve ﬁshed

s n n n an r b thi lly o ce o ly, d without a single ise ; ut I sawso me heavy ﬁsh Splashing about the middle

o f he a . ro u a n m t l ke The heaviest t t t ke , to y

n l as o ne o f a l er un s. k ow edge, w litt e ov 3 po d

r a n at It was caught at the inﬂow f om Gl sly , the

r en f a b he ana r o f uppe d o the l ke, y t m ge the

o r n as n r s ur n c ppe mi e , who w baiti g with wo m d i g

a s r . n sa a o n ar r u to m The mi ers y th t d k, o gh nights the big trout in Llydawcome near to the

an sho res, and can he sometimes caught with artiﬁcial ﬂy o r a worm o n an unshotted cast.

as n f r s a a rs o f Gl ly , which o m the he d w te the r r f un r f e a ive o that name, is several h d ed e t bove

l . f en as r ai n L ydaw So ar as I have be able to ce t ,

r e e en o f this llyn is devoid o f ﬁsh . The e ar l g ds fabulo us creatures being seen in the depths o f this

ru arn g esome t .

If w s n yo u canno t rise tro ut in Llyda , de ce d

B l an ﬁ h l n r a o n to Cwm y i , d s the Glas y st e m d w

1 0— 2 1 48 Fishing in Wales

fal s a e w n a f r a the l bo v the G y nt Valley . A te heavy rai nfall yo u m ay ﬁnd trout rising well in

s r vu but r ll u all ur o r thi i let, the wo m wi su y capt e m e

fish an fl . n r r i a n n th the y The sce e y he e s m g ifice t,

- and in wild weather it is awe inspiring.

a a n nu b o f s a l r u I h ve t ke a m er m l t o t, with the

ﬂ in s r a a a rs ass o f lan r s . y, the t e m th t w te the P L be i

r are o n o r two s a - s The e e deepi h pe t pool , which

o n r u o f r un an n c tain t o t ove po d each , d whe the water is coloured after rain and a breeze is

’ n o u ma a a few d nt ﬁ as blowi g,y y t ke ace sh , they

n say i Ireland .

r u ar a s n fr D ud d n A t ib t y th t come dow om Cwm o y ,

r an was n r l o f ro u o n the ight b k, e ti ely dep eted t t by poachers in o ne night during my stay at Llan

f r s e reda n au beris. Be o e thi d p tio , I c ght some

u l l r u u unc s a pl cky itt e t o t , p to 5 o e e ch , with the

a na u in . bl ck g t, high p the Cwm These poachers

rt and dam r u s u o ls near dive the iv let , p mp the po ly

r a se and n r e fo r the r d y with ho , the g op t out .

1 50 Fishing in Wales

s i f n a fewsal n in deepish pool , wh ch o te hold mo

u n and s ral O en n s fo r r u the aut m , eve p le gth t o t

hin . ave s s r r s ral s but ﬁs g I h ﬁ hed thi ive eve time , I cannot say that the results have been highly — n ura n . is fu o f s a r u but un e co gi g It ll m ll t o t, i po d

un ﬁsh are no t ab dant . The river has been

o e n r u and stocked with L ch L ve t o t, occasionally

r d ﬁsh are a n u un these impo te t ke p to a po d each .

f r a o fr un n ar s o u ma A te g od ﬂood , om J e o w d , y y

n fe n i h no w and the catch a w sewi n t e Seio nt .

But are r arnarv ns r s r a s , comp d with othe C o hi e t e m ,

s r r is no t s r - in ra r ﬁ thi ive po t giv g with mig to y sh .

n are au in s at n t Sewi c ght the pool ight, wi h the ﬂy o r o r in u and u us o r in w m , J ly A g t, the dayt ime

en r r is n n o n af r a fr wh the ive ﬁ i g d w te eshet . The

Seio nt is a r r r fr n in p etty ive , i ged so me reaches

r o r n o rs in Ma an i with b ight ﬂ we i g g e y, d n other lengths winding thro ugh shady dingles rife with

a n s n wild ﬂowers . W di g tocki gs will be useful in

r some parts o f this st eam . The Seio nt wo uld pro bably produce many more salmon and sewin

f n r o a n o u su r i wi te p chi g c ld be pp essed . Gangs o f m en frequent the spawning places in the close s as n ar t ﬁsh - s ars and o r e o , med wi h pe the weapo ns, and many heavy ﬁsh are destroyed when full o f o va . s re a ns are arr o n a n The e dep d tio c ied t ight, T he Seio nt and Owen I 5 1 and it is almost impossible to watch the river

r u o u i s n Sei n a th o gh t t whole le gth . The o t Bo rd have requested the police to assist their watchers in r n r r bu ns a p otecti g the ive , t the co t bles are no t

r a a r- pe mitted to ct as w te keepers. Tickets fo r ﬁshing the Seio nt can be purchased a arna n t C rvon o r Llanberis . Seaso tickets fo r

salm n s 1 n 1 05 . 6d . o co t £ mo thly, weekly,

5 . and a l s . 6d . r u l ns s ar f 5 d i y , a T o t ice e e 55 . o r

5 . 6d . and 1 . f r the seaso n, 2 the week, 5 o the

i n day . The Se o nt Co servancy also preserve the

Braint in n l G rfai fni A g esey, the wy , the Ce , and l the L yﬁn . The n en rises in a mountain llyn to the n rt - s o f a el ur f r s e a o h we t C p C ig, o m n n L ke, and waters the deep vale o f N ant Francon down " to Bethesda" There is some ﬂat water above

an n n . In i s r Bethesda, d ope ba ks t lowe co urse

en is r r n r and r an in the n ove g ow he e the e, d

r parts it ﬂows through steep na row gorges. The landlo rd o f the Douglas Arms Hotel at Bethesda can grant permission to ﬁsh the river in preserved

r are fr n s a o r portions. The e ee le gth b ve Lo d

’ an r en h Penrhyn s water near B go . The n as a

n as a sal o n and s n r local reputatio m ewi st eam, but

Ho tel : D o uglas Arms. 1 5 2 Fishing in Wales it is much whipped during the runs o f migratory

ﬁsh in the summer and autumn . The author o f Highways and Byways in North Wales relates

ur o f his rs sal n in ri n the capt e ﬁ t mo this ver, whe

a s is n at an r. choolboy, v iti g B go Near Bethesda there are two tributary bro oks

n m n he contai ing s all trout . The ce to the sea t

i i n en s a u s n t . r n bo t ﬁve mile le g h High wate ,

a l ur is n with ittle colo , eeded to insure sport in

n these small a d swift streams. Bethesda is a co n venient o n for r a n ll ns o f Gl ders p i t e chi g the y the y ,

en al nd Bo chl d r n , Idw , a wy , which are desc ibed in r ar f s r i anothe p t o thi book . The e s a Sho rt

n l n fr an r al bra ch i e om B go to Bethesda. Sm l codlings abound in the Menai Straits near ’ an r and ass ma s m s a n B go , b y ometi e be t ke

n ar na r . r e the Me i B idge At Abe , between

r nd n a r is a s r a Bango a Co w y, the e t e m ﬂowing fro m the hills containing a fair quantity o f tro ut o f the ordinary broo k Siz e .

Br t sh Th G o r e The Castle. Hotels The i i , e e g ,

1 54 Fishing in Wales sell ir n an s the ets, d to abandon their o ld method f o taking trout . The head water of the Ceriog is high up o n

er n un a ns un r rna. Fo r the B wy Mo t i , de Moel Fe abo ut a mile the stream winds through a peat bo f r n l le s a n r are g, o mi g itt pool t the be ds. The e

r u u un n n n a re z t o t p to 1 po d eve here, a d o b e y April day I have taken a score o f nimble troutlets i ess n l than an hour. At the entrance to a deep gorge to the south eas the Cerio su n fal s v r r s f r n t g dde ly l o e ock , o mi g a series o f cascades fo r about three - quarters o f a m n f f ll i in n l f in ile. O e o the a s s a deep arrow c e t

h r n h r i ra fre t e ocks, and o t e ight bank s a c g

a rfalls quented by ravens. Below any o f these w te

o ma r ﬂ an if ﬁsh y u y catch t out with the y, d the are rising you will be busy all the way down to

a fr i n Ll n armon . The stream is ee down to w thi

l o f s an s an about half a mi e thi village, d the di t ce i l from the so urce s about fo ur mi es.

a s a When the Cerio g is j ust ﬁning after p te, it is o f a l l a n and in r r fo r ove y pe ty ti t, good o de the

ﬂ f r he r ll ll ll n y . O cou se, t wo m wi ki we whe the

" stream is in this state ; but as the trout rise so delightfully to the ﬂy I have never used bai t in t e Ce i tr r n r an ﬂo h r o g. A ibuta y o the ight b k, w T he Cerio g 1 55 in ra dl Llaweno swar s wi g pi y down Cwm g, m th

n r small tro ut . It is big e ough here and the e to

a a ﬂ u fri n s a Llaweno c st y, b t a e d tell me th t the g

a r nn in a r is a c pital stream fo the mi ow high w te , and by using this bai t he has taken fair-siz ed

r u . n r s r u r as t o t I have eve ﬁ hed this t ib ta y, I have always found trout taking well in the main stream . O n a favourable day yo u ought to catch two to three brace o f trout in each little pool o f the

f n a l f r Cerio g. I have ou d h ck e ﬂies best o this wa r an r is no t r ﬂ an ran te , d the e bet e y th the o ge

un n da in ur r n u d hackle . O e y po ing ai I ca ght

ﬁ h ﬂ alm r a s with this y at ost eve y cast, and e ch

r r r a sa a r u th ow p oduced a ise . I h ve id th t the t o t

re n i t o u m a e few - un rs in a o t b g, bu y y g t a i po de

a r anar n o r the slower w te above Ll mo , while l we

o n r r r are ﬁsh o f r d w the ive the e ove a pound . In the seaso n (1 900) a D o lywern ﬁsherman caught three trout o f a little more than a pound apiece

ne r n in an ur n fro m o Short u ho . A large umber o f heavy trout come up from the Dee in the a u n a n n e s o f h C ri an ut m to sp w i g b d t e e o g, d if yo u are along this river in March o r April there is a chance o f catching some o f them o n their

urn n l r r u a n fr ret jour ey . The a gest t o t t ke om the 1 56 Fishing in Wales

Cerio a ov r un s and its g, b e Chi k, weighed 3 po d , captor was the landlord o f the inn at Po nt

er are nns at lanar n and e a Th e two i L mo , b ds t

o f a i ai n an both them . The vill ge s qu t d delight

nar n r fully secluded . Below Lla mo B idge the

i r fo n water s p eserved r about a mile . The ext

n n s Sir a n ams nn le gth belo g to W tki Willi Wy ,

n arr whose leave must be o btai ned . We the ive at a stretch reserved by the proprietor o f the

n l a n w - r s re and o mfo r a Gly Hote , e ly e to d c t ble

e lla o f Gl n ri ar hous at the vi ge y ce o g. Tickets e

r n d is rs and a g a te to v ito to the hotel, I believe th t day tickets can be purchased by other persons

fo r 25 .

There is another Short free length a mile o r two

r wn but l a s u o f far rs lowe do , e ve ho ld be asked me

f r ro ss n anar n be o e c i g the meadows . Below Ll mo

a rs are us fu and at n and o w de e l , Gly , bel w, they are a s n s nsa an s r lmo t i di pe ble, as the b k are ove gro wn . At Pont Fado g there is a pri vate portion be

n n D r. as nd n n l n lo gi g to Thom , a the begi s the o g s re r s r d b Mr u o f r t tch p e e ve y . Bidd lph , Chi k

as e . s is a ﬁne n fu o f r u and C tl Thi le gth , ll t o t , containing bigger ﬁsh than tho se in the upper

1 58 Fishing in Wales

h the Tst w. This stream jo ins the Ceriog on t e

ef an a an a ut a l fr n l t b k t P dy , bo mi e om the Gly

al l The T r r n ant r o n V ley Hote . a w ises ear N y ,

he r n h' r f t Be wy s, no t far om the sou ce o the

Cerio . i a smal s f s rea r g It s l wi t t m, much ove

ro i f g wn n its lower co urse. There are plenty o s al r i th k ul fi h m l t out n e broo , but it is difi c t to s with the fly. CHAPTER XXII

LLAN RHAIAD R - Y N- MO CHNANT

O N the south- eastern side o f the Berwyn Moun

a ns n fr n o a t i , which exte d om Lla gollen t Bala L ke, there are several minor streams that rise in the ’ a ands . l f anr aia r high he thl The ittle town o Ll h d ,

in val o f i n f o t - o i the ley the Moch , s o e o those u

the- way places far from the railway where anglers

- may ﬁnd cheap quarters and fair trout ﬁshing.

s l Rhaiadr the n f a rfal s Pi ty l , ﬁ est o all Welsh w te l , is the attractio n that draws day excursio nists into

r r e ﬁsher this A cadia during the su mmer. Fo th

an er are an T r h m th e the T at, the wc , the Moch,

n and several other streams within walki g distance . The nearest station to Llanrhaiadr is Llanfyllin

s n m l s and n is t l s fro m ( eve i e ) , the tow welve mi e

s s r na ss is O we t y by a hilly road . This i cce ibility

in fa ur o f an r as a ru ll ﬁnd vo the gle , who, le, wi himself in possession o f long stretches o f merry

it Hotel : Wynnstay Arms. 1 59 l 1 60 Fishing in Wales

l reaml s are n o f r u in litt e st et . There ple ty t o t the

n i fr e. ana and its Moch, and the ﬁshi g s e The T t tributaries also yield very fair sport to the ﬂy

ﬁsherman . Trout can be caught as high up as the pool

o a u fu l is o r bel w the be ti l Pisty l , which well w th

s n . O n r u fal a s o r vi iti g the ight, j st below the l, h t r n ivulet ru s do wn a wild valley fro m Llyncaws.

s r is an - - Fl s n er Thi b ook the N t y Llyn . y ﬁ hi g h e o n a r da in Ma a no r - as wn b ight y y, with th e t i d

n r f a fro blowi g, I took t out o 4 nd 6 ounces m a o s r lm t eve y o ne o f the little pools. I was sur prised to ﬁnd ﬁsh o f that weight in su ch a narrow

r es al a o n r s and in um n b ook, peci ly m g ock t bli g

a r. ro u r l o n o n r w te The t t we e we l c diti ed, b ight

o n and r r r r e r e . g lde , a e ﬁghte s fo th i siz

Fo r Ll ncaws a un ai n o o as n the y , mo t p l, ce d

Nanty - llyn valley o n the right side by a narrow

a and s r fo r ra s o f o e and p th, t ike the c g M l Sych

a r r n s su s o f erw n C de Be wy , the highe t mmit the B y

Range . Permissio n must be requested fo r ﬁshing

in s ll n i le n . thi y , which s t with the Shoo ti g

a s is f r and a C w the Welsh o cheese, the l ke

r i f s de ives ts name ro m its circular shape . It lie in an elevated plateau o ver feet abo ve the

a an is o rs o n o n b r se , d ve had wed o e side y ocky

I 62 Fishing in Wales

n h ana a r and re es Goch, joi s t e T t bove he e, ceiv

is the water draining Llyn Pennant . This lake

u about three miles from the village . Leave m st

ﬁ a r an a u ars wl be obtai ned to sh this w te , d p rtic l i l

n rm n b a n a In n be give to ﬁshe e y pplyi g t the New ,

L an n . ala and an r o o n D ee are l gy og B Ll d ill , the , reached in about nine miles by a steep road over the Berwyns.

Ei r h r n u o n un a ns The a t , isi g high p the mo t i , descends the go rge in which the road to Bala and

Llanderfel is terraced o n the right slo pe . This ra in is al e u Rhiwart h an s rea v e c led , d the t m can be ﬁshed fo r about two miles up when the f water is high . In this region o free streams the angler must no t expect to capture many ﬁsh o f

r un in . He l o er ﬁn ove 5 po d weight wi l , h wev , d plenty o f smaller trout in the waters o f the district . CHAPTER XXIII

T HE ART RO AND DWY RY D

THE Artro must be regarded as o ne o f the minor

s n s r a s o f r al s . s an n ewi t e m No th W e Notwith t di g, it is a favourite river amongst both Welsh and

n rm n and fo r its s n r l n E glish ﬁshe e , ce e y a o e it

' is ll r a s . . . Cliﬂe r s we wo th vi it J H , who w ite with considerable enthusiasm of the lakes o f this d r in his s and o n f ist ict, Note Recollecti s o an

’ n r s no t a ar a s A r A gle , doe ppe to h ve ﬁ hed the rt o , although he stayed at the little ﬁshing inn at

s a o a a r o f r . Llan bedr, j u t b ve the tid l w te the iver

a r a he r f rr He st tes, howeve , th t p e e ed Llanbedr

n n a an r a in o rt a es i ﬁ itely bove y othe pl ce N h W l , tho ugh this preference was due to the fact that the neighbourhood abounds with natural beauty

' and o ﬂers a wide ﬁeld fo r exploration among the peculiarly savage cwms and rugged mountains o f

n in Ardudwy . H avi g cast most o f the llyns o f 153 1 1 — 2 1 64 Fishing in Wales

and l r n al a s am Ardudwy, c imbed the p i cip pe k , I

' ’ able to appreciate Clide s devotion to Llanbedr as

a centre . The chief drawback to the Artro from the ﬂy

’ ﬁsher s point o f view is the overgrown state o f the banks throughout almost the who le o f its picturesque course from the mountains to Llan

a r a is r and bedr. Below the vill ge the st e m wide

r r la ara r and s s r o f a rathe mo e p cid ch cte , thi t etch

' dl aﬂ r s u is undo ubte y o d the best ﬁshing. B t it

n a n r a and f r o t lo g e ch, there o e cannot yield

o an un e nu Th sport t limit d mber o f rods. e higher course o f the Artro is through o ne o f the

most delightful o f glens. Here an d there the

ea is r wn u ers and r e str m st e with bo ld , the e ar a few lo w falls but slow poo ls alternate with

and f en r s n scours, swi t glides betwe ock ca be

ﬁshed with a short rod . A mile o r 5 0 above

lan r r a r f A erartr L bed we e ch the b idge o b o , a

’ n un n a n a su r pleasa t lo gi g pl ce o hot mme s day,

r cl a s ro s an e where the st eam e ve ck , d wood d i heights rise o n either Side . Aber s the Welsh

f r a n u n u term o co ﬂ e ce , tho gh the same wo rd is

a us n u o f a r " lso ed to de ote the mo th iver. At

‘ Also has the meaning o f the fall o f a smaller river into ’ a greater.

1 66 Fishin g in Wales

brown trout conceal themselves in mysterious

n - la s an r fu n ur o ut hidi g p ce , d e se to ve t e , while the sewin take alarm and descend to the bigger

waters o f the Artro .

f r a n an Co l ma Sa a fa n Be o e le vi g N t , I y y th t, ili g

r o n n f s r in r a the ight c ditio s o r po t the st e m, the angler may still catch brown trout if he is keen

n u Rhino Glo wll n a n e o gh to climb the g to y , lo ely

and ro an l fa fo r i ﬁ h n his m tic poo , mous b g s . O

way he will pass the historic manor- ho use o f

’ Maes arnedd no w a far r s and yg , me homestead ; he m ay at this point turn to the right and ﬁnd

n Perfeddau and n e o r s r Lly Lly How l, t ike to

n the left and mount the steep hill fo r Glo wlly . I have ﬁshed Perfeddau with very poor t e

sul u a was f r r o ne f ts, tho gh the l ke o me ly o the

in Ardudw r u n fu o f an best the y g o p , bei g ll h d

ﬁ h n r r M some golden s o f herring size a d la ge . y

ﬁsh o ne f 1 un s and b fewr s s best was o 2 o ce , y the i e o n the po o l I j udged that the tro ut had greatly

In n n diminished in number. the eve i g I learned that this capital little llyn had been raked fro m end to end with the net a Short time before my

n s o f all s un a n visit . Lly Howel, wilde t the e mo t i

ar s s a r u r se lakes, sw m with m ll t o t, which i with

r r r n f ext ao dinary vo acity at any ki d o ﬂy . They T he Artro and Dwy ryd 1 67 are u s r a r s n a a the glie t t out I h ve eve ee , le n, d rk,

' an bi - liﬂ sa r d g headed . C e ys these trout lee

’ u n o u n r s n r s po y with a stra ge exp es io . Thei eye are certainly o f an abnormal Size . As it is my endeavour to direct the angler in his

u s fo r n ra r an fo r r u q e t sewi the th t o t , I will not

r r a s o f s s r but r rn he e desc ibe the l ke thi di t ict, etu to the Artro at the j unction o f the N ant Col s r a r n u ain r r t e m . P oceedi g p the m ive , we come

o n o ra n s in r r s t arr w vi e the ock, whe e the tree

r a r and r n ra r meet ac oss the w te , eme ge i to the

n n r r fo r a l o r two more ope cou t y, whe e mi e the ﬂy can be cas t with comparatively little hindrance

n r are n o f fro m bra ches . The e ple ty small trout in s ar o f Artro and a thi p t the , , with flood , sewin travel up to the higher pools. But it is a difficult s r a fish fl and u n t e m to with the y, I m st i sist upon

a a sa r s e n r s n r r wh t I h ve id e p cti g othe ewi ive s, na ha er n n u mely, t t ev ythi g depe ds pon rain and a goo d push o f water to bring up ﬁsh from the

- n f A sea. The mid po rtio o the rtro and the reach belo w Llanbedr are the best stretches fo r sewin i ﬁsh ng. I believe that the lo west reach is in the

n s o f a u but s u ha d cl b, ticket sed to be issued fo r

s r e n l a and Ab r r the t etch b twee the vi l ge e a tro .

There are a snug inn and several lodging- houses 168 Fishing in Wales

‘ n Th ill is l n as a i Llanbedr. e v age deve opi g

r s r and er is a a n summer holiday e o t, th e b thi g

r l arl is a few beach within a sho t wa k . H ech

a su r s rv o f miles away. There is good mme e ice trains to places o f interest in Wales easily acces

r sible from Llanbed . The Dwyrydt is the river that waters the lovely

Vale o f Festiniog. Having a near mountain

n the s rea in its h er urs i origi , t m igh co e s some

u us but soon wi n o u i what impet o , it de s t n the

l and r s n s a ver a ra r r h va e, p e e t y tt ctive ive to t e f eye o the fisherman . It would be diflicult to imagine a more fishy-loo king stre am than the D wyryd as it winds down under Mo elwyn and

h ur o f the Ardud ran n f t e sp s wy ge, ﬂowi g o r the most part in a clean course an d unchecked by

il i wa rs ar ns n n r rocks, wh e ts te e co ta tly i c eas ed

u l n r ule s fr un a by t mb i g iv t om the mo t ins. Years

o n o ur fa rs r a s D w r d no ag , whe the we e l d , the y y t

a ﬁne sa n and s n r r b only looked lmo ewi ive , ut the eXperience o f veterans proves that it abounded

i n u with ﬁsh . It s ow m ch to be feared whether

' n re r its lost renown ca be vived . Ene getic eﬂo rts in the matter o f preservation may do much fo r

Th V Hotel : e i ctoria. w r t D y yd means the two fords.

1 70 Fishing in Wales

n o f bee largely recruited. The chief delight

un reds o f uarr n o n a S n n in h d q yme hi y ight, the

’ eas n o f ar is n f s o the ye , the e arious capture o f salmon and sewin . Smoked salmon is a winter delicacy fo r which there is a good sale in some

ar s o f the r n al . r as p t P i cip ity Now, the ve y e iest way to get salmon and salmon trout is to snatch o r s ear n S n n is p them o the paw i g beds . It also

ru n us wa in h l n - Bu a the most i o y t e o g run . t th t does no t trouble the gangs o f poachers who range

r b n and ut a fo th y ight, p the w ter watchers at de

an . ese f l s afl and s ar fi h ri fi ce Th e low g pe the s , p

s a n o ut o f e r a a and arr the p w th m, th ow it w y, c y

' ﬂ r at h r sur r o their p ey to smoke t ei lei e . Eve y winter these gan gs make excursions to the spawn

i n sa ing redds in rivers fo r m les arou d. The me destruction is carried o n in the neighbourhood o f

r Seio nt is r ar a Carnarvon, whe e the F he y Bo d h ve lately applied to the police committee fo r co n

r Co n stables to protect the wate watchers .

fr u n e aus rs are victio ns are in eq e t, b c e the keepe powerless against the desperate crews o f ﬁsh snatchers. There is a local club and preservation so ciety

n t se ral rs r n m ers at Festi iog, wi h ve pe eve i g emb , who are endeavouring to improve the streams T he Artro an d Dwyryd 1 7 1

and n ura fa r an n . C f el a to e co ge i gli g The yn a ,

r u ar o f D w r d has n r t ib t y the y y , bee estocked with

' ro u an a n n i a t t, d tte tio s p id to all matters aﬁect

in n r s s o f s r n g the i te e t ﬁ he me . The lower part o f the D wyryd below Maentwrog is owned by the

a fa but l a n f O kley mily, I be ieve th t the age t o the pro perty is directed to issue ﬁshing permits to

a r an r pp oved applic ts. The e is a good hotel at * an - - s r an an r T y bwlch (clo e to the iver) , d othe at Maentwro gd‘ The ﬁshing in the D wyryd is no t

u a ase fo r s a r. n a q ite c de p i Give good ﬂood,

s n and s a few l n run u fr m ewi , ometimes sa mo , p o

the sandy bay known as the Traeth bach . To

en f s n ur n wards the d o the easo , d i g the high

o f r a fe sal n are ﬂoods Novembe , w good mo

au in D r d . all n s D r c ght the wy y At eve t , the wy yd deserves a passing visit from the sewin angler at

r O r un . is a r r the ight ppo t ity It lovely ive , with a

r u r n r An rema kable est a y betwee ocky heights . d

fa n s r in D w r d is but a s r ili g po t the y y , it ho t

urn r a n asl n n jo ey to Po tm doc, whe ce the Gl y ca

u r o r an r fo be ﬁshed p to Beddgele t, to Ll bed r

n the Ari ro and Nant Co l. Sea ﬁshi g in the

estuary is also worth a trial. I have seen some

r in th trae h n u the very la ge bass e t , comi g p with

l t Th Gra . O ak ey Arms. e pes 1 7: Fishing in Wales

r o f o d. In r traeth at r ﬁ st the ﬂo the bigge , Po t

a r are s ral n s o f sea ﬁsh m doc , the e eve ki d to be

u w ro d and l n and fan an ca ght ith i e, I cy that experienced bass ﬁsherman would ﬁnd fai r sport

r r n there du ing the summe mo ths.

1 74 Fishing in Wales

r f rt f small ﬁsh a en a n sho t rod , o y to ﬁ ty h ve be t ke

in a day . The Ruthin Castle length is strictly preserved

n ll end o f s by Colonel Cor wa is West . At the thi

re l n ns O n r n st tch , c o se to the tow , begi the pe po tio ,

o f a e . which can be ﬁshed at a charge as. w ek The river is preserved by the Clwyd and Elwy

n r an and are be a n at Co se v cy, tickets to obt i ed

h u n . r u in s ar t e Castle Hotel, R thi The t o t thi p t

o f the river are no t big; i - po unders are co nsidered

- fai r ﬁsh n un rs o ﬁsh . r u u , a d i po de g od T o t p to

a pound have been taken occasio nally .

r r is o s l all but r are The ive m t y sh ow, the e some

s all e ls . In r s i an m d ep poo pa t the bed s weedy, d

' t e s ﬁsh are au o ﬂ he a h be t to be c ght t weeds, and t

r the b oken tails o f the poo ls .

l s o fr At Rhewl, two mi e d wn om Ruthin , the

s r am n r as in an e t e i c e es width, d ther are so me

n as n la s all the wa anr a a ope c ti g p ce y to Ll h i dr, which is reckoned to be o n o ne o f the best lengths

o f r r a un n o f r the ive bove the j ctio the Wheele .

r n we dfar o n i Lowe dow come to Bo i, the r ght

n and n fro r r. r ba k, o e mile m the ive He e the

Wheeler joins the Clwyd . This tributary used

r a to abound with t out, and I believe th t it still

f r s o gives ai p rt . T he Clwy d I 75

f r n sa l r i s A te passi g St . A ph, the C wyd ece ve the

Elw n ns r u and s win . y, which co tai some good t o t e

r n a t and is u The iver ﬂows i to the se a Rhyl, m ch ﬁshed by summer visitors to that popular watering place . I cannot say from perso nal experience whether the Clwyd stills maintains its reputation as a sea

r u r r. O ne an er who n s r r t o t ive gl , k ow the ive

a h r a n well, tells me th t the sport as g e tly decli ed with sea - trout and salmon ; while ano ther local ﬁsherman expresses his satisfaction with the spo rt

be o n n a a s s n in to btai ed ow d y . Fi hi g the Clwyd, in s r n f n r r s ar n the p i g, I have o u d the ive w mi g with samlets in their silver scales . A go od number o f salmon must still spawn in the river. A water watcher informs me that the Clwyd was o ne o f the best-known trout and sea-trout rivers in the f Principality until within the last ew years. I

ann sa h o f ﬁsh ha n c ot y w y the stock s dimi ished . The Board o f Conservators request that all ﬁsh under 7 inches in length shall be returned to the r iver.

r n a s a ns fo r l are u n The p i cip l t tio the C wyd R thi ,

a r n . n n St . As ph, Llanrhaiad , a d Rhyl Seaso salmo

ns s are I fo r Elw and e . lice e f the Clwyd, y, Al d

n 3 . n n . Trout lice ses are 7 the seaso , a d 25 . weekly i 76 Fishing in Wales

This year (1 903) a very strong association

h in n o f n l has been formed, at t e itiatio Colo e

n a i est and o t r r r an n rs Co r w lls W he ipa i ow e ,

to impro ve the ﬁshing in the Clwyd and Elwy . It is the object o f the association to provide go o d trout ﬁshing fo r visiting anglers in 1 8 miles o f

n r water. A fund has bee raised to es tock the

na ro n and l ar n r rivers with tive b w trou t, to c e u de gro wth and trees from certain portions o f the

n n n r l o n banks. The new asso ciatio begi s co t o

r l I 1 Mr. ar l . is Ap i , 903. H o d G Stoc k the

r r n u n honora y secretary. The e are many i ﬂ e tial

an lan own rs o n e and he anglers d d e th committee, t outlook fo r ﬁshermen in the Vale o f Clwyd is

distinctly encouraging.

1 78 Fishing in Wales

' these places aﬂo rd very good bass-ﬁshing from

May till the end o f September. The has has o f late years been digniﬁed With

' h f a n ﬁ h and eﬂo t e title o sporti g s , rts have been made in some parts to suppress the taking o f

a ur ﬁ h Mr. n Bickerd ke in a er imm t e s . Joh y , lett to Field ur n au u n o f 1 8 a the d i g the t m 99, told melancholy tale o f the wholesale destruction o f small bass by shameless anglers in the West o f

n an . n el na sewa u n E gl d Whe ﬁ d drai ge, ge poll tio ,

s n us ar e fr fa r s and n s poi o o disch g s om cto ie mi e ,

’ and a ers na and n s a the po ch dy mite, lime, et h ve

e ed o ur nl rs o f fi h m a l d plet i and wate s , we y sti l h e n o s r a a re op to e j y po t with poll ck , m cke l, c n rs and as in o ge , b s the sea and the tidal es uar es r v a s r n t i , p o ided th t fi he me exert their combined influence in the protection o f salt

a r ﬁ h al ai w te s . The bass especi ly cl m the respec t

f l ﬁ h s r o ang ers. A s that ometimes g ows to a

o f r 0 un s a r s s as o l weight ove 2 po d , th t i e b dly as

sal n a ﬂ and s s ra e fo r the mo to y, ﬁght de pe t ly

l r i ll r a n n o f s r s n . ibe ty, s we wo th the tte tio po t me

s are no a un an at Aber stwith o u Bas t b d t y , th gh some he caught there 05 the mouth o f the Rheido l

- r with the ﬂy o r spinning bait . The e is better bass

s n at r in s u r n h ﬁ hi g Abe dovey , the e t a y , whe t e Bassf Fishing I 79

i r i an n tide is running n . The e s no shore gli g

r bu en o f a s can r and al he e, t pl ty bo t be hi ed, loc

ﬁshermen will give information to visitors.

r n At Towyn the spo t with bass is excelle t . There is no better estuary along the coast than the tidal waters o f the D ysynni fo r bass- ﬁshing

o f a s with the ﬂy o r spinning bait . Fish the he vie t

no m n r u a weight are t co mo he e, b t large t kes o f bass o f 5 pounds up to 1 0 o r 1 2 pounds are frequently made from May until the end o f

l s i ﬂ s n f September. A specia i t n y ﬁ hi g o r bass at

n is Mr. o s o f a al Towy R bert , the Medic l H l, who s s r n o f s and r u l un r ell the ight ki d ﬂie , tho o gh y de

s s n al an i a stand the game . Thi ge i gentlem s lways willing to share the proﬁt o f his long experience

r rs o f ro d . al n M . o with b othe the C l o r R berts, bu ur a l fr a his a a y yo t ck e om him , t ke dvice, nd

Mr. yo u will get bass from the Dysynni . Roberts

n all a a r ca tell yo u about the tides, m tte which yo u should master if yo u wish to get amongst the i b g ﬁsh . ’ Men and boats can be engaged at Towyn .

r r is na a fo r a few m s u an The ive vig ble ile p, d the estuary forms a wide lagoon in a part called

Ho el rb t T n e H h t : Co e t Arms. empera c otel : T e alfo rn a C i i . 1 2— 2 I 8o Fishing in Wales

’ . r the Bro adwater, below Mr Co bett s estate . At certain times has come close under the rocks in

ar o f fo o and ll n a ﬂ if se ch d, they wi the t ke the y

r n the water is rippled . Ve y exciti g sport can be

n had at night by ﬂy ﬁshi g from the ro cks . The

s r n awa the s un o f a s las ﬁ he me it o d p h, which ann unces arr al o f a s al f ass and at o the iv ho o b ,

s s na n ﬂ thi ig l they begi to cast the y . Fine

ra lobsters and p wns can be caught at Towyn . Between Towyn and the Mawddach estuary at Barmouth there are o ne o r two places where bass ma e a a er Bu r i y be xpected t high w t . t the e s

r s n at ar and an bette ﬁ hi g B mouth, m y boats fo r

r M hi e . Bass often ascend the awddach as far as

n aen l a a Pe m poo , nd they h ve even been taken further up than that during high tides . 06 the

n s the ua at ar u i isla d, oppo ite q y B mo th, s a capital

fo r ﬂ and th re e position the y , e ar likely deeps all

wa u n D du o n . the y p to Bo t , the Dolgelly Road

The favourite method o f bass- ﬁshing at Barmouth is spinning the sand- eel from a boat rowed by an attendant .

rs o f o n s an Await the ﬁ t the ﬂood the i l d, which

an r a b n f rr e a r ss a yo u c e ch y bei g e i d c o the w ter, and use a bi au ﬂ o n ws t o r o ne g g dy y t i ted gu , s ro n s n sal n - ut t g i gle mo g cast . Have a rod that

1 82 Fishing in Wales

that anglers would ﬁnd sport there in July and

August. Plenty o f ﬂat ﬁsh are speared o n the

san r b cal s r n who wa e in u o d he e y lo ﬁ he me , d p t

B n their chests. ut i this part o f Wales the natives take no pains to learn the newer metho ds o f sea

o f ﬁshing with rod and line . Some them will tell

ou ha r e n as in s s uar no r in y t t the e ar o b s thi e t y ,

al wa rs f as n at r a o but the tid te o the Gl ly Po tm d c ,

n 3 r o r I have see bass 0 the ocks at Borth, P t

u o u n 20 un s madoc , which wo ld weigh cl se po po d

a a d a few n s o rs a au piece, n E glish vi it h ve c ght

r v ﬁ ve y hea y sh there . Bas s are said to be destructive amo ngst young

sal o n and sea- r u an fo r a r aso n e are m t o t, d th t e th y

often netted from the higher tidal reaches o f rivers .

i r as n They have been taken in nets n the lowe Gl ly , and there is no do ubt that they would give spo rt in s uar o f a r r if an rs o the e t y , th t ive gle to k the h trouble to ﬁs fo r them . There is good bass ﬁshing occasio nally at

Mr. r n w n . o a a a r ll Carnarvo Th m , t ckle de le , i direct the visitor to the haunts o f the ﬁsh in the

a ar s bay and the Menai Straits . At the Be um i

end o f the Straits there is fair bass - angling late in

u er and o a are au o ﬂ ufﬁn the s mm , p ll ck c ght P

Island . 8 BaSSvFishing I 3

In Anglesey there are several excellent sea

ﬁshin s a o ns r ass can au ﬂ g t ti , whe e b be c ght with y

o r a . Aberﬁraw rr s o a and b it , the Ske ie , H lyhe d,

Ty- croes are resorts in the island fo r bass and

a er n - n o n a poll ck ﬁsh me . At the last me ti ed pl ce there is angling fro m rocks as well as fro m bo ats.

Sea- trout ascend mo st o f the estuaries in the summer. CHAPTER XXVI

THE U SE

I SPE T a r a au n o n sk and N summe nd tum the U , ﬁshed the river fo r salmon and trout from three miles below Brecon to its source in the Black

un n n r r r Mo tai s. A portio o f this wate is p ese ved b an A o n n n s y ssociati , and other le gths ca be ﬁ hed b ar y permission o f landowners and farmers . M ch and April are the best months fo r trout- ﬁshing ; September and October give the best sport with

salm n . a n n at nn r o The Associ tio le gth Se yb idge, a r co n n n f r r u n in f bove B e , co tai s ewe t o t tha o rmer

ars but a r is a and ye ; the w te well w tched, good baskets can be made in the early part o f the

aso n and ur n u r s a es se , d i g the s mme p t , with the l artiﬁcia minnow . After May the trout do no t

ﬂ r r s n i u rise well to the y . C eepe ﬁ hi g s s ccessful

n r r in Ma and un and s bi ﬁ h i this ive y J e, ome g s that will no t take the ﬂy can be caught with this

is n fu a o n an f bait, which ple ti l l g the b ks o the

1 84

1 86 Fishing in Wales

the ri er is close al o n f an . v to the can , the le t b k

wa er can be s b s s as n The t ﬁ hed y ticket e o ,

eek o r dail f r u nd w ly, y . A seaso n ticket o tro t a

sa n and a n e o u 3 . ull lmo , lice s , cost ab t f 4 4 F part iculars are to be obtained from the Assistan t

ns ec r who l es a nn r o r fro I p to , iv t Se yb idge , m the

a sh r n t ckle ops in B eco . The U sk near Brecon used to afford excellent s ort w sal n ri n o f he p ith mo , but since the lowe g t wa er b al fr r er t y the can , which is drawn om the iv , ﬁ h ﬂ s can only ascend when there is a high oo d .

en n w in a f l u n he an r can Ev o , air y wet aut m , t gle reckon upo n getting a salmon o r two in a few

’ a s s n ma a a fish d y fi hi g, and with luck he y t ke a da i no s s in su rla y . This s t ucce s the pe tive s n u s n us be e se, b t the low cost o f the fi hi g m t

a n al sal o n t ke into c onsideration . The loc m

an lers u e ﬂ an ra n . nn n g s y, wo rm, d p w Spi i g baits do no t appear to kill in this water. As yo u des cend the U sk the salmon ﬁshing

r s n o f s is r. imp ove , a d the cost ticket highe Some l n s e s in nu r e gth ar preserved by club limited mbe , and there are private portions which are some

sal n s fo r times let fo r the seaso n . The mo ﬂie

s r r are e bi l n o f a . thi ive dress d g, with p e ty h ckle

a s er n s r s nd o r N tive ﬁ h me ink thei ﬂie , a w k them T he U sk I 87 in l few a lively fashion we l under the water. A sea - ro u as n al o s o r f sk t t ce d m t t the sou ce o the U ,

‘ bu e fr t th y do no t rise eely to the ﬂy . Abo ve Sennybridge are two lengths in private

n n fo r r u ha ds . Permissio can be obtained t o t

s n o n re as r is a c fo r a ﬁ hi g ly . At T c tle the e om t ble i f nn . The river here co ntains a fair number o

ro u and l i r n b f rs . t t, eave s g a ted y the arme

ur r u a n rs r are o r F the p, mo g the moo , the e m e

r u u all r an a can t o t, tho gh sm e , d good catch be

a m de with ﬂies and a ﬁne cast o n a dull day .

The s n r re is w s o f ce e y he ild, with the height

r d hirr h i s an Ca marthen Van an Ge ac n the di t ce, and ro lling moorland stretching fo r many miles o n

r eve y side . The so urce o f the U sk is near the lake under

‘ h i a t e Carmarthen Van . It s a good plan to w lk o r drive from Sennybridge Station to Llanddau ‘ sai n re r i a nu inn . at t, whe the e s s g little Sleep

inn n ar fo r a u o the , a d start e ly climb p to the po l

n n e s ar s r the ext mor ing. The lak w m with b ight

and l r a ﬂ fr in a ively t out , which t ke the y eely

o f un r l ff is breeze . O ne side the pool, de the c i ,

and r s ﬁsh . a s deep, he e the bigge t lie I h ve ﬁ hed

ll n but u I had three times in the y , tho gh good

The Cro ss. 1 88 Fishing in Wales

s in f f e n port respect o quantity, I ail d to hook o e

n o ne s au o f the reputed monsters. Upo vi it I c ght

r n r a u un w th ee doze t out , bo t ﬁve to the po d, ith

f n o the ﬂy . I ou d it an advantage t take wading

s n i m a r i r s al o tocki gs wth e, as the w te s ve y h l w

and l ar o s r e o n ne s . c e cl e to the sho e, xcept o ide It is a very beautiful mountain walk from the

ll n u n vi age, with sple did views o f the surro ndi g

ranges.

n the f ll n da ﬁsh U sk n Upo o owi g y, the dow

f r fro m near its source to Trecastle . I the t o ut

are r sin o u l not et fur r t an r i g, y wil g the h th ee

les n s r a . r a n ne an mi dow the t e m Th ow lo g li , d

keep well away fro m the bankside . The trout are

s al r n and t are r s r . m l , but ve y imble, hey bold i e s

r m lan ausa n o u ma ﬁsh Sawdde F o L dd i t y y the , a

r u ar f a n n a fa r t ib t y o the Towy, cont i i g i stock o f

- trout . There is an occasional run o f sea tro ut up

Sawdde and n a rs are us . the , the the po che b y

nn r er r is an inn nd a ar Se yb idge, wh e the e a p t

n i a n r fo r n ments ca be had , s good ce t e the a gler who wishes to visit the Upper U sk and its tributaries There is an experienced ﬁshing attendant in the village . Brecon is a goo d centre fo r the autumn salmon ﬁ h shing o n t e higher lengths o f the U sk. The

1 90 Fishing in Wales

in o ne da n -six ﬁsh river captured, y, twe ty , weigh

’ 0 un s ures are a n fr ing 28 po ds . The e ﬁg t ke om

’ al n s b Mr. rc al un in S mo Fisherie , y A hib d Yo g,

’ n the series o f British I dustries. Such was

m n -ﬁ n in k r sal o shi g the U s thi ty years ago . Private lengths o f the lower U sk are o ften let

n at so mewhat high prices. Fishi gs are occa sio nally advertised in the Field. The Angel Hotel at Abergavenny has three miles o f water fo r visitors to the ho use. There are trout and salmon

n h s r i t i prese ve. CHAPTER XXVII

T HE TEIFI

A GOO D angling resort o n this ﬁne river is the

a o an ss r r is a fo r a vill ge f Ll dy il, whe e the e com t ble

. s o f ls r rs Teiﬁ hotel Like mo t the We h ive , the yields the best results in trout - ﬁshing early in the

s as n . Its a rs ar s n in a rs are e o w te , i i g pe ty moo , s n s a n af r ra n and is s m f r oo t i ed te i , it o e time be o e i the colo ur disappears. This s an advantage that

anno a n f rs f c t be cl imed by ma y o the rive o Wales.

an ss in au u n r is al s At Ll dy il, the t m , the e way the

an o f a o run o f sal n and r ar ch ce go d mo , the e e

l n f ro u in n p e ty o t t the le gth .

Teiﬁ a s are s r o f The l ke , which the ou ce the r v r are n o w r s r b a al u i e , p e e ved y loc society ; b t as

a no in n nl I h ve t ﬁshed them, I ca o y speak o f the

r fr n nf wate s om hearsay . A i ormant tells me that ﬁ the pools hold a goo d stock o f sh . Acco rding to

r . ansar r r o f ro u and Geo ge A H d, the w ite T t

’ n s n in al s u sh in 1 8 Salmo Fi hi g W e , p bli ed 34, [ 1 9 1 ] 1 9 2 Fishing in Wales

r n f ar s n the e are seve o these lakes, the l ge t bei g

a il in r u f r nc . s al s u n m e ci c m e e e The m le t, occ pyi g

h es r un is r ular an in a aran the igh t g o d, ci c , d ppe ce

is u r resembles a volcanic crater. It abo t th ee

’ f il i r u in s o f quarters o a m e n size . The t o t ome

- these lakes are pink ﬂeshed when cooked . At Lampeter there is a length o f the Teiﬁ in the hands o f the proprietor o f the Black Lio n

h o r Hotel. T e water often gives capital sp t with salm n in e m r an r and i ro u o S pte be d Octobe , w th t t

r ar f in the spring. It is said that in the ea ly p t o the trout season really excellent baskets can be ma in h s n d at re ar n r u de t i le gt h , an T g o , highe p the river.

1 94 Fishing in Wales

and in su r Bwle lends beauty to the pool, mme

r n f a r rus s time this islet is luxu ia t with e the y he ,

- - f l r an d a s . In loosestri e , wil ow he b, me dow weet August it is pleasant to scull leisurely along the reedy shore to o ne o f the stakes which benevo lent

' fi f r o o r n o f skifis and anglers have xed o the m i g , to idly fish fo r the perch that teem amo ng the

B is n s s r n a weeds. ut it whe the day ho te th t the

The su m r real Sport at Llangorse begins . m e

ﬁ f r n r eas s r n . at hing o pike is u ce tai Moreove , l t o ne- half o f the lake is at this season densely c r w w e h h n s an o r o e ove ed ith e d, w ic i hibit y the m d

f n - r o a gling than dead go ge baiting. In the deep

O n wa r ro l n is at all s ra a b ut pe te t li g time p ctic ble, n either spinning no r live- baiting pro ves very suc

o r cessful until late in September. Fro m O ct be to r u s f Ch istmas Llyn Safadda ﬁ hes well o r pike .

’ As the boatman remarked to m e : You re very apt to get a few go o d pike soo n as the winter

’ e s in in u ro e a s t . O ne hot day J ly I t ll d the l ke

a n a o an o n and use s a r u p tie tly with c mp i , d m ll t o t

r n in ne n s 05 o n a Bedfo rd spinne . O ly o ope pot

he a n er f e n and in s a t isl d w e the pike e di g, thi pl ce

ran six ﬁsh and au hr . The s we , c ght t ee bigge t,

' sc a aﬁ at las o n was a which e ped the g the t m me t, ﬁsh o f abo ut 6 po unds ; the others were mere Llango rse Lake I Q S

bantlings . Upo n a subsequent visit we had a

an da and fo un r u o ff bl k y with pike, d the pe ch q ite the f e e d . But this experience is recorded to co rrobo rate the O pinio n o f lo cal ﬁshermen that ﬁshing fo r pike in Llango rse Lake is o f little acco unt during the su er In a e u u n an n r er mm mo nths . l t a t m d wi te th e

ro e is a different tale to tell. The weeds have tt d a a ere is o r a ai a s a r and w y , th m e v l ble ﬁ hing w te ,

un r r r f ur o six ra e o f the pike are h g ie . F om o t b c pike m ay lie in the stern o f the boat after a few

’ o urs ro l n o n a s ar r da . And if the h t l i g h p, b eezy y

’ e are no t o n r are r a re s e o f pik , the e pe ch g lo , om

e o v r o un s in o u he a era e th m e 2 p d weight, th gh t v g

f o o o un ru n abo ut o ur to the po und . R ach als ab d in an ar s o f a e an d in ar ea r m y p t the l k , w m w the

r a a they ise to n rtiﬁcial ﬂy. Trimmers are frequently used upo n Llango rse ‘ Lake— it is a custo m o f that part ; but it is a sho ck

’ to o ne s spo rting principles to see a d o zen o f these

i o implements bo bb ng abo ut ff a bed o f weed .

o e er is r r a a o H w v , it the t imme th t t kes the m st

ur n su er- and a he sh are pike d i g the mm time, s t ﬁ very abundant there is no t great danger o f a

n n serious dimi utio thro ugh trim m ering. It is stated that pike up to 30 pounds and even — 1 3 2 1 945 Fishing in Wales

40 po unds apiece were formerly caught in Llan

. ann t u fo r ru o f s go rse Lake I c o vo ch the t th thi , but it is a fact that a pike o f 2 1 pounds was taken o n a spo o n- bait close to the public landing- stage

- r 1 00 . s n a b the during Decembe , 9 The poo b it, y wa a ears be o ne o f the es ur s fo r y, pp to b t l e

us u su ess u o n m spinning. I ed it witho t cc p y

a r as u n rs second visit to the l ke, whe e po the ﬁ t trial I contrived at least to run a few ﬁsh with

a a . l o a n s e r n tural b it Sti l, the b tme w a by the

n n m n r are n a in spo o , a d I a o t p ep d to de y th t the lo ng-run the Spinning spoon will catch the greatest

nu er o f ﬁsh . am r n n mb I , howeve , i cli ed to the view that a live bait o f a species foreign to the

a r su as dac o r u o n u s w te , ch e g dge , wo ld kill ome

in a r i fi ul heavy pike the cold we the . The d f c ty lies in conveying dace o r gudgeon alive to the wa r as n n o f r rs in h r n te , o e the ive t e dist ict co tain "E these ﬁsh . Preserved dace would be highly attractive spinning baits in this green stained

r And m a r wate . I y say he e that the water is n r u as in as o f o a u eve pell cid, the c e s me l kes, b t s l ur and r s n light y t bid, e embli g the water o f the

Norfo lk Bro ads in colour.

T here are dace ho wever in the Br co n h h , , e Canal, w ic c an be taken with th e ﬂ y.

1 98 Fishing in Wales

this way the superio rity o f o ne kind o f ﬁshing over

the o r ns ra d the might be demo t te . The fact that the majority o f the perch taken are very small shows that the water must be

r l Fo r s re is no r e g eat y o verstocked . thi the em dy

but th u o f net but n n era e j dicious use the , etti g op

ns are l ra a in s a r u tio scarce y p ctic ble thi w te , tho gh Hansard says that nets were formerly used in the

la i a bi r s in ke. It s pro bable th t the g pe ch wim

an es if o n u u n ir comp i , and e co ld pitch po the

haunts lively sport would result in the winter. A go o d gro und-baiting would very likely prove an assistance in ascertaining the resort o f the more s zea l r and r a and nn s o n a a r i b e pe ch o ch, mi ow p te noster might be tried instead o f the eternal wo rm fo r er - ﬁ in p ch sh g.

There are a fewtrout in Llangorse Lake . They reso rt r a n n as n and to the b ooks at the sp w i g se o , as o s o f ur s r in su r m t these b n d y up the mme , the

a n n in l B trout re the to be fou d the ake . ut the

ur o f a r u i an un n urr n capt e t o t s commo occ e ce , though o ne weighing 1 0 pounds has been taken .

n a r o ne m a When ﬂies are abundant o the w te , y

r o n r s but es r s n ﬁsh are see ises eve y ide, th e i i g

r and r rar ro u . o ach , ve y ely t t

Fo r ures u ar O f s ar n a r l u pict q e ch m p kli g w te , c o d Llango rse Lake 1 99

a a and s a n an o r is c pped pe k, h dy gle , Ll g se

n n i viting to the to wnsma .

- There is wild fo wl shooting in the winter.

n n o n d in a and a Lodgi g ca be btai e the vill ge, t

’ the ﬁsherm an s cottage clo se to the mere . The

ar fo r s i . 6 . er da an a n n ch ge boat s 25 d p y, d tte da ts

an n a c be e g ged . CHAPTER X XIX

T HE WY E AND SO ME T RI BU TARIE S

VISITORS to the spas o f So uth Wales at Llan

d Llan a ar and andr n m a wrty , g mm ch, Ll i dod y co mbine so me pleasant trout- ﬁshing with their

n lan r i a treatme t . L w tyd s sequestered village o e o f e o n l fr n th banks the , twelve mi es om

is n Builth by rail. It beco mi g a popular health r r d s h r an rs eso t, an the ulp u d chalybeate wate are much esteemed . Bystaying at the D o leco ed

the h er an c an o n r s o n to Hotel, ﬁs m btai pe mis i

r e n ﬁsh in prese v d water o f the pretty little e o . Salmon sometimes ascend this stream from the

Wye.

s rs r use Inn at er ss n Vi ito to the G o Ab gwe i , ﬁve

l s fr an r lls ll ﬁnd a n mi e om Ll w tyd We , wi charmi g

t o f e o n o n n n r r leng h the , c tai i g t out that ise

l r T we l to the a tiﬁcial ﬂy . wo branches o f the

m un strea ite at the village.

lan a ar e s r At L g mm ch W ll , lowe do wn the 2 00 l

20 2 Fishing in Wales

Wye Fisheries Asso ciatio n issues winter tickets fo r - ﬁshin r ar fo r pike g. The e e so me good pools Spinning o r live- baiting both above and belo w

er fo r . o a u and n are a un H e d R ch, ch b, gudgeo b

an in r ai n o f th r r and ere d t ce t parts e iver he e, th are a f ewgrayling. Pike seem to have distributed themselves in all

arts o f e a fa a is u la en p the Wy , ct th t m ch m ted

b sal n and r er n . n ru r 1 y mo t out ﬁsh me O Feb a y 7 ,

1 0 Mr. e r en am a 9 3 , Tom P mb idge, Chipp h G te

treet n o u u fr e a S , Mo m th, ca ght o m the Wy pike wei h n n ﬁ h asur fee g i g 34 pou ds . The s me ed 4 t

in len . is e r r W e gth This , I b lieve, the eco d y

e u ﬁ n an r a pik , tho gh sh o f 20 pou ds d ove th t

i ave had we ght are by no means uncommon . I h fair winter sport with coarse ﬁsh in a length a

fe m . w iles above Herefo rd The pike, which I

au h a s r r fr c g t with spinning b it , we e, howeve , om

r 4 to 7 pounds in weight . I to ok several pe ch

r f n a and o ne r a and oach o 1 pou d piece, o ch

f 1 n o ; pou ds .

The salmon-ﬁshing in the Wye h as greatly declined from various causes ; perhaps the prin cipal source o f diminutio n is the excessive netting

h r ea s o f r r a in in t e lo we r che the ive . A ste dy

rease o f e u an d r n c pik , ch b, pe ch has also te ded T he Wye and So me Tributaries 203

to lessen the number o f salmo n . Much attentio n has been directed to the causes o f the decrease o f

o n in er en s f W e an salm the high l gth o the y , d

s a n r a n has r e peci lly to the wi te po chi g, which p oved disastro us in the Welsh reaches o f the river.

During the winter o f 1 902 - 1 903 there were co n ﬂicts between desperate bands o f poachers and

- n the water watchers. A somewhat exceptio al quantity o f salmon were o n the spawning redds

ur n n er and er ffo r was a d i g this wi t , ev y e t m de to

ro ut a ffs r una p tect them . B the b ili we e ble to

fr r entirely restrain the po achers om dep edation . It is to be ho ped that a mo re healthy So cial spirit m a u a e and a o n y ltim t ly develop, th t the people the banks o f the Wye will unite to preserve the sal n and r r r r it f r r mo , to esto e the ive to s o me high ran n an k as a gling water.

in a n n o f u r r r an Except cert i le gths the ppe ive , d in r a r ns e ann sa ro p iv te po tio , the Wy c ot be id to p

u f r n r. r ar vide m ch sport o the trout a gle The e e, o f urs r u in r r a o f s r a bu co e, t o t eve y e ch the t e m , t

r n they a e o t abundant. The trout ﬁsherman m ay no w and n an u n a s ur in a e the ch ce po co , the l t s r n a s s f r fu o f ro u u a o un p i g, th t eem ai ly ll t t p to p d in but as a ru e ro u - ﬁshin in weight ; , l , t t g the

In Wye can only be described as indifferent . 204 Fishing in Wales

a n r utar s er r u are n ful cert i t ib ie , howev , t o t ple ti , and goo d baskets o f ﬁsh are often made. The

o nno w fo r n stan o ns W e at M , i ce, which j i the y

o nm u is fa ur r u r M o th, a very vo ite t o t st eam well

reser and i l n ex n s r . e p ved, y e di g celle t po t De p wading is necessary in most o f the lengths o f the

Mo nno w.

rr em Lu and Pinsle als co n The A ow, T e, g y o

e tain an abundance o f trout and grayling. Som

n t s o f hese r rs an s b but le g h t ive c be ﬁ hed y ticket, o ther portions are let privately o r reserved by

r r landowners . These are good streams fo winte

- grayling ﬁshing.

THE

I D B LLING A N SONS, LTD " GU ILD FO RD

" (universities of Ortoro ano Cambribge

TWO SERIES OF POPULAR HISTORIES OFTHECOLLEGES

To be co m pleted In Twent y and Eigh teen

Vo lu m es res pectively .

ACH vo lume is written by so meo ne o ﬁ cially co nnected with ll e o f which it treats o r at least b the Co eg . y so me member at Co ll who is s eciall ualiﬁed fo r the ta of th y sk. It ( 1) Histo ry 0pthe Coqlege fro m its Fo undatio n ; (2) An Account and History o f its Buildings ; (3) No tices o f the ' Co nnectio n o f the Co llege with any Impo rtant So cial o r Rel 113 Events (a) A List o f the Chief Benefactio ns made to the Co l ege ; Some Particulars o f the Co ntents o f the Co llege Library ; (6) A n f the Co lle e Plate indo ws and o ther m at o g , W , Accesso ries ; (7) A Chapter upo n the best -kno wn and o ther no table but les s well o ll lrnown Members o f the C ege.

h vo lume is ro duced in cro wn octavo in a o o d c t Eac p , g lear ype, d contains a out 2 o a es exce t two o r three vo lum an b p g ( p es, r g illustra o which are thicke . T e ti ns consist o f full a e a ) p g pl t es, 1d views o f the Co lleges and modem

’ ari l The two Series are ne ng co mp etion. The writers names are v o osit gi en pp e.

Pri net r l m ce E" E vo u e.

atalo ue wit"i ress no ti ces o n a licati n C g p pp o .

T hese vo lum es can be o rdered through any bookseller, or they will be sent by the Publishers o n receipt of the published price and postage

I F. R E. O B NSO N 81 CO . ,

2 0 Gm r R SSELL m ear B Y D S L S R N . U , O O M BU , LON O O t ters S eries.

COLLEGES.

. arr M C . A. W ,

H . . Carless av M .A. W D is,

B. . H en derso n M A. W , .

. K . Stride M . A . W ,

. . Rennie M . A . D W ,

R ev . . R. M a r ath D . D J g , .

. H R ev astin itt . D . gs R ash d all, L ,

R. . Rait M S , . A.

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— ' A charmin oo Mom rn Port. g b k. g

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10a . n o t .

The drawings are exquisite reading that never fails to be

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6 0 . n o t .

’ The artist s to uch is excellent The letterpress is very

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