Adroddiad afonnydd Gymdeithas S.G. a LL.
S.G. & LL. Angling Society's River report

The start of the new season was welcomed by bright sunshine during the day with a keen east wind, nights saw hard frost and likewise low river levels. A few hardy souls have ventured forth, however from what I hear the brownies are very hard to tempt but kelts are plentiful, a good pointer for the future hopefully.

The main fishing effort will now be focused on the Seiont, and if it rains as forecasted then with the higher river levels will come the beginning of the smolt migration, the first to appear, and they’ll be about until mid April are what are referred to locally are ‘sils y gog’  these are large by comparison to the later run and can reach up to 12” in length. Smolts being both salmon and sewin will be encountered throughout the system until at least mid May. These are the future, so return them with care.

All lakes bar Dywarchen will open on 20th March, Padarn is where you should try first, the boats have all been maintained throughout the winter, many thanks to Gordon for an excellent job. Try to be on the water from round midday, its worth the effort as the Padarn trout will be in first class condition. Black Quill, Black Pennell, Partridge with Claret or Mole body should see you alright.

Bank fishing is also popular during the early season, with ledgering the favourite method, your reward, charr are regularly caught amongst the brownies this time of year. They make for delicious eating.

Dywarchen kicks off on 1st April, this years first four stockings will be rainbow triploids, they are in 1st class condition, and stocking thereafter will be with ordinary rainbows.

From 2005 it’s hoped to gradually change the Dywarchen stocking policy to that of browns only. There are over 6.000 fry already hatched from natural Dywarchen stock in the hatchery, expectations are that these will be stockable during 2005.

Work is well underway on the Melin y Cim renovation, underground bat roosts have had to be constructed to compensate for loss of roosting space lost due to main mill building being made habitable. It’s a pity that all species are not afforded the same attention.

During the past few years illegal netting has been at epidemic proportions in the Menai Straits, nothing has been done to limit the damage caused to the salmon and sewin stock, however for 2004, we have been assured that the Environment Agency has acquired a new patrol boat to combat this menace, lets hope it’s given more sea time than it’s predecessor.

Prospects, if the weather starts warming up, then prospects for a good early brown trout and charr catch are excellent.