The New Season is almost here!

I'm getting my gear ready this weekend for my first trip to the Towy! Sorting out all those flies and cleaning my lines. Also giving my reels a good clean and lubrication. New torch batteries. New wader studs. That's about it I think! If the water is down and it's mild then I'm hoping to go next week! Can't wait!

CFF News

All the latest new from the reformed Carmarthen Fishermans Federation CFF:

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March 2017 – CFF Update of activities.

Since our last update the Carmarthenshire Fishermen’s Federation has been busy engaging with the main stakeholders in pursuit of our main objectives. These are better water quality, improved habitat and reduced predation. We feel not only do these factors play a significant part in maintaining fish stocks but they are matters that are not beyond our reach and that we can actually do something about.

1. River Pollution

The CFF has asked to meet with NRW officials to see what can be done to protect the water quality of our rivers in the light of recent pollution incidents. A meeting has been arranged with NRW, to take place on the 14th March, 2017.
If you have any particular observations that you would like us to consider as part of our representations to NRW, please convey them to the Chairman on the following e-mail: lluestybryn@tiscali.co.uk"

2. Himalayan balsam

CFF is developing a county-wide strategy for dealing with Himalayan balsam in Carmarthenshire and aims to work closely with NRW, farmers, angling clubs, riparian owners and individual anglers.

It is our intention, through a programme of pulling, cutting, strimming and spraying to eventually eradicate the plant from our river valleys. We will carefully map the incidence of the plant in the county and then organise a coordinated eradication programme from the top of the river catchments down to the lower limits of infestation.

To achieve this we will be encouraging each angling club to “Adopt-a-river bank project” and help us with the project – an alliance that will not only benefit wildlife and water quality, but also free-up the available land for agricultural purposes.

We are appealing to anglers to get involved and help identify the extent of the problem along our rivers and particularly in the upper reaches. Please record the presence of the balsam when out fishing by utilizing a free mobile phone application called “Plant Tracker” specifically designed to record invasive plant species. Recorded sightings are automatically sent to the overarching National Biodiversity Network.
www.planttracker.org.uk/

Our earlier post on this topic received almost 200 “hits” on the CFF section of this Forum. Can you please confirm whether you are going to assist with the mapping through the free mobile download map - confirm by e-mailing mike@myddfai.com.

We are also appealing to all anglers to “pick 50” plants every time you fish.

3. Fish-Eating birds

CFF have been granted a license by NRW to shoot a limited number of fish eating birds (cormorants and goosanders). The terms of the license to shoot and proposed subsequent measures include shooting as an aid to scaring. The license requires scaring to
continue after shooting.

CFF is also fully supporting and involved in a coordinated smolt shepherding programme along the lower river during April and May when the smolts are preparing for their journey out to sea. This is an exercise in scaring away birds that would otherwise attack the smolts. Volunteers for this would be appreciated.

4. Management Plan 2017.

To ensure that we keep on top of all our goals and all activities related to their attainment, the CFF management team has drawn up a management plan which focuses on water quality, bird predation, illegal netting and access issues.

This will be presented at the next CFF meeting at Carmarthen Football club on the 9th May, 2017. Do please come along and help us with our efforts.

http://seatrout.proboards.com/thread/…/cff-march-2017-update

The new season is fast approaching!

I'm starting to think fishing again! I can't wait till April to have a go at those big spring sewin that everyone says are around? One thing that I do need though is a new reel spool and a sinking line! Better start looking on Ebay?

Tight lines everyone for the 2017 Season! I feel it's going to be great!