Brian Evans of Clegir, is one angler who usually catches a few salmon annually has surpassed himself this year with a wild brown of over 9lbs from Llyn Harri Parri on the Seiont, over the weekend of 30^th. Sept – 1^st October. This I believe to be a record for the river. Take note those who continually complain that they can only catch small trout, perhaps you need a few lessons on how to fish for wild fish.

The Llyfni continues to fish well, with some nice salmon turning up in catches, these are in the 9lb range. The Boats on Nantlle are proving popular, although there is a good head of migratory fish in the lake the reports I’m receiving are they seem reluctant to take, although plenty are to be seen. This takes me back to Jonathan Jones article in the Jan 2000 issue, those who intend to fish the lake adopt his recommendations, one member who did so is Bryn Griffiths, Caeathro who not only dapped, but did so with the natural daddy, he describes his sport as wonderful.

So dig out your old T&S.

On the European Objective 1 front our Fisheries Development project is progressing well, there is tremendous scope here to further our work with both salmon and sewin and the wonderful wild brownies, which thankfully are in abundance here, although some must realise that wild waters cannot produce fish to the size caught in heavily stocked put and take fisheries, sadly this sort of expectation is rearing it’s ugly head, perhaps someone somewhere can suggest the reason why?

It’s disappointing to read that eutrophication is becoming a problem on Irish waters, goodness knows we’ve had our problems here on Padarn, which then affected the Seiont,  this manifested itself in 1992, the fight has been long and hard, but as with this years salmon run, improved sewin catches and the resurgence of browns and parr in the river shows what can be done, but it takes time with many difficult hurdles on the way, thankfully we seem to be starting to clear the final one, that is an agreement with the E.A. for a continuing yearly supply of salmon ova to the hatchery in order that inaccessible parts of our system cam be stocked and for our smolt release scheme to continue. When this is cleared the run for home will be easy for those who come after.

With the rivers fishing well, there is little to report from the lakes, other than the charr fishing has still not picked up, and with the way the weather is here at the moment, I for one will not be venturing out on the lakes.

Prospects. By the time this is read all rivers will be closed, however if your in the area have a look from mid November at the fish pass at the Nant Peris end of the Peris diversion tunnel, you can see what I mean by the stock of fish there is now in the system. Those of you who wish to see the size of browns that’s about coincide your visit to levels of high water. It’s well worth seeing.  Time to visit from the 2^nd. week in November to Xmas week. Also have a look in at Penllyn the sight of salmon spawning here is truly wonderful. You can practically watch them from the comfort of your car.

Dywarchen remains open until 30^th. Nov. but it can get cold here and snow can is not unusual from late October, so please wrap up as the fishing can be very good.

                                                                                                H. P. Hughes.