Adroddiad
afonnydd Gymdeithas S.G. a LL.S.G. & LL. Angling Society's River report
With
the new season now upon us those who fish the popular Crawia area of the
Seiont are in for a treat due to the tremendous effort that has been put in by
a very few members in creating easy access to Llyn Doctor and Rhaeadr Mawr,
this part of the river has to date been notoriously difficult to reach, so a
treat awaits you all, many thanks to those who took part in this work.
After
the tremendous floods in January, repair work has to be undertaken to fences
and a few weirs, we will have to wait until some dry weather comes along
before even contemplating undertaking these tasks.
2004
was an excellent salmon season, to date I’ve reports of 150 salmon, quite an
increase from the 11 that were landed in 2003, I would venture the opinion
that this was due to the policy of stocking fry above the fish pass in Nant
Peris and a fast improving water quality, at least in the higher reaches this
together with a combination of improved survival at sea, and as some are
suggesting less netting off the west coast of Ireland, but from what I’ve
seen on my visits to Ireland I would place a big ?
Over that one. So lets hope things continue to improve.
Sewin
however do not show such a marked improvement, numbers are still low, and the
shoals which were evident in the bottom pools in 2003 failed to materialise
during 2004, although there were some nice bags recorded from the Pontrug and
Glanrafon area. The situation during 2005 will be closely monitored, with a
request to the Environment Agency to show consistency in their broodstock
gathering operations.
The
whole of the Gwyrfai system has been declared a SSI, this shows that it’s
unique nature has to be protected, let’s hope that some attention is given
to improving It’s salmon and sewin stock, which have now fallen to
dangerously low levels, this is a beautiful river, and there are very few
about which retain its wild and undeveloped nature, at least from Betws Garmon
to Pandy, Bontnewydd. Above and below this area the problems are related to
un-natural water levels due to Llyn Cwellyn being utilised as a main water
supply, agricultural practices and sewage discharges. Address these issues And
then we might get a cracking fishing river once again.
Thankfully
the Llyfni, which has benefited from excellent habitat restoration carried out
by the Environment Agency through the Gwynedd Sustainable Fishery Project at
Drws y Coed is now relatively free from the problems which affect other nearby
rivers, hence the sewin here continues to run the river in numbers which
really makes it one of the top small sewin rivers in the UK.
Unlike
its larger neighbours the Llyfni does boast a spring run, with the work
carried out at Drws y Coed it is envisaged that we shall see a marked
improvement in these runs.
Prospects
during March – certainly the Seiont especially Stablau and Llyn Engan are
from opening day on 3rd. March, but be aware that there will be o
lot o kelts about, so act accordingly. Lakes except Dywarchen all open on 20th
March, Llyn Padarn, is early water and produces excellent fishing from opening
day. Also Llyn Nantlle is a popular and productive venue, Nantlle is by boat
only, so get your boat permits in good time.
Huw P. Hughes