Water perfect but no luck on my first night of this trip!

Last night was looking hopeful especially as Sandy had told me earlier that he had seen 4 fish near the Cattle Drink and a 5lb fish jump in Crewel! I fished till 2.00am and the temperature had dropped to 6 deg. The water was clear and at a good level but I didn't get any offers or see any fish. With heavy showers this morning I'm hoping that the river remains clear for tonight!

Rise in water level?

A smallish rise in water level may get the fishing off to a start? It may be worth checking the water level regularly by using the link on the right side bar of this page!

My first trip of 2017 reinforces my passion for the sport!

It been a long long winter but now it seems summer is coming and my attention is turning to allotments and sea trout fishing! They are both hard work and frequently end in disappointment but I guess it's the challenge that spurs me on.

I've been fishing the Towy at Llangadog for over 30 years I think? I say 'I think' because following a quadruple heart by-pass 10 years ago I was left with a very poor long term memory! I can remember many of the exciting and funny experiences that I had with my pals John and Rod over the years but I can't remember the dates or times. One thing for sure though is that I will never forget the pleasure that I have had fly fishing for sea trout at night on the River Towy at Llangadog!

Having completed the required maintenance and cleaning of my fishing tackle over recent weeks I thought I was ready for my first trip. Little did I know that the felt sole on one of my wader boots was about to come free from the toe to the arch of my foot and start flapping about as I walked! It's not easy to walk through long grass with a flapping sole believe me! Having arrived on the river my attention turned to how I might remove this offending sole. I tried an elastic band first to hold it in place but that only worked for about 2 minutes! There seemed only one solution! It had to be cut off! It took some hacking off with my blunt knife ( I must remember to sharpen it) but eventually I succeeded.

The night was mild and dry and was free from the blustery wind that had plagued us for many days. I met up with Tim Wilkinson who I hadn't seen for a few seasons so it was nice to catch up with him on everything while we were tackling up and waiting for dark. I put on a floating line and a shortish leader of about 6ft. Fly choice was my usual one - Secret Weapon / flying treble style with black and peacock wing and silver body. The water was running clear and despite being quite low the fly still came round at a reasonable pace! During every cast I felt that I would get a pull. The conditions just seemed right. My fishing method is to keep moving so I will fish through a pool and then go off to another one but then keep returning to each pool in rotation. The reason I do this is because the lower beat of the Llangadog water, below Crewel Pool, in my view doesn't hold fish for any great length of time so it's best to keep moving from pool to pool in the hope of picking up a running fish.

I fished for about 3 hours - I would have stayed longer but I had to return home for a family Sunday lunch. I didn't get any pulls or see any fish but I found the trip enjoyable and worthwhile in that it was useful to see the river and the changes that have taken place over the winter. I can't wait till my next trip which will follow a flood hopefully fairly soon!

One thing that I find very annoying is the way that humans abuse their natural environment! The piece of polystyrene is lilo size and about 100mm thick! I would love to know which arshole chucked that in the river! Also and I've mentioned this many times before and so as fellow angler Rodney Byles but no one seems prepared to do anything about it, I am now convinced that we will soon loose some of the best pools on the lower beat of the Llangadog water due to the actions of one farmer! We already have 2 rivers at normal water levels but it's only a matter of time before we have 3 but neither the Club or the EA appear to want to do anything about it. Surely the Club officials could speak to the offending farmer and convince him of the error of his ways? Once we loose this section of the beat I and many other anglers will probably leave the Club leaving it in an even more precarious position! Sad!

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:

Please SHARE to increase support

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!

AGM Llangadog Angling Limited

The AGM is on the 27th January this year and I'm going because I would like to know what the state of the nation is and also I'm going to be using it as an excuse to go down to Pembrokeshire for a couple of days!

I think that the way that LAL communicates with it's Members is rubbish so I will be asking if that can be improved. Also the pathway through the woods needs improving too.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The fishing season is only 3 months away! Have you sent off your NIL returns for last season? Very good!

My baby sitting commitments are likely to be greater this season, having just had a baby grandson delivered today but I still intend to fit in plenty of fishing!

Now my plan for this season is this:-

• First trip - 20th April for 3 days
• Second trip - 11th May for 3 days
• Third trip - 25th May for 3 days
• June, July, Aug and Sept every other Thursday

My 2017 season is going to be intense and I want to achieve a total catch 20 sewin and 1 salmon! What do you think of my chances?

I've tied loads of flies and I've got 2 new fly boxes which John bought me for Christmas so I'm well armed!

See you on the river!

Tight lines!

Water arrives but it's too late!

Guess what? Yes yesterday was the last day of the season and the water level today is 2ft - 6in on the gauge!

A late salmon trip fails to connect!

Rod and I made a late trip last week for 2 days salmon fishing but neither of us managed to tempt one! The weather was perfect although bright and the water initially was perfect but fell away fast while we were there. Whilst fishing the deep end of Crewel Pool I saw a huge salmon which looked more like a dolphin! We both threw everything we had at it but to no avail! Nevertheless we both enjoyed the trip as it was good to have company on the river and in the caravan in the evenings. Can't wait till May next year now to start the process all over again!

My last sewin trip and the biggest fish of my season!

As the weather promised to be fine and the water level 9 inches and falling I decided to go down the river just for the night!

As the water was a little high I had to walk down over Heart Attack Hill. I got to the the bottom beat by about 8.30 pm and tackled up. By just after 9.00 pm I deemed it dark enough to make a start. It was warm with a full moon and so there was little need for a torch. I fished the flats first without a sniff! By 12.00ish I was getting a little bit despondent as I hadn't seen any fish and had no pulls. I thought I would give the bush and below a try as it often produces a fish. Half way down below the bush I had a silver 3lb sewin which fought like hell! Things were looking up!

After a break I walked down to my pool full of optimism! First time down nothing! Second and third time still nothing! Decided to change my fly for a snake fly about 50mm long and black and silver. In the usual spot wallop! A big sewin this time! Before I knew what was happening it ran fast to my bank very nearly ripping my fingers off on the reel handle (they're still sore now). I drove the hook home as soon as it calmed down a bit and walked it up to the bend so as not to disturb the pool. It seemed well hooked! Then it ran over the other side into the fast water and started thumping about and jumping! It must have been a double figure fish! I tried to pressure it to get it out of the fast water and to get it above me but then the hook pulled!!! The story of my life this season!

I carried on fishing till 2.30 am but to no avail. An enjoyable night but an equally disappointing one!

My latest fishing trip is the last one for sewin!

Just spent 2 nights on the river on my own! Wednesday night I was late arriving at the caravan site so by the time I had set up it was dark. I decided to give the Car Park Pool a go but found it very difficult to wade. I then fished the Railway Bridge but to no avail! Thursday night was much better as I went down the bottom however it was windy which made things a bit difficult at times. First I hooked a bright silver sewin on the flats weighing about a lb or so. Then later I went around to my pool to get out of the wind and hooked a 4lb fish equally as silver! The wind increased and then the rain came so I packed up about 1am.

Rod ventures out alone for the first time since his operation and is rewarded with a 3lb sewin and some very good offers!

Well while I was wining and dining on an enjoyable weekend break in Devon, Rod made a last minute decision to spend three nights on the Towy for the first time on his own after his operation he said to help boost his self confidence. He said Friday night was perfect and the night sky was amazing with the Milky Way clearly visible. He parked at the pump house and only just managed to wade across in the deep water to the bottom beat. He fished till after 5 am and had two good pulls and had a heavy fish on for a while before practicing long-range catch and release! He didn’t see or hear any other fish. Saturday was extremely windy with horizontal heavy drizzle so he gave it a miss. Instead he fished Crewil Sunday morning for a couple of hours, but nothing and again didn’t see or hear any fish move. He returned later for the night, as Crewil was slightly sheltered from the strong gusty wind. First run down he had a 3lb sewin, which took a lot of line and felt and fought like a much heavier fish. Didn't see or hear another fish all night and with the wind still strong packed up at about 2am. All fish were attracted to his adapted steelhead pattern flies.

Sewin galore?

Well, the sewin aren't particularly easy to find but once you locate some then sport can be very good! Rod and I spent 3 nights on the river and got 7 fish between us. The largest was one that Rod caught which was about 6 or 7lb! The weather and water were both perfect but strangely I didn't spot any fish running! Andy's pool didn't produce a single fish which is rare as I kept going back to it every hour! We fished hard all night every night from 10.30pm till 4.30am! My biggest was about 4lb and the smallest 2lb! In addition to the fish caught I lost a big fish on the 3rd cast of the first night and then Rod lost at least 2 very good fish later on! A very enjoyable trip!

Lost 2 big fish again! The story of my life?

Spent Thursday and Friday nights on the river. Thursday was PERFECT. Warm and overcast but dry. Between 1.30 and 2.30 I lost 2 huge fish in my favourite pool. Don't know why but ....! Friday I lost a smaller fish around the corner in the bottom pool early on. Friday night turned out to be a washout but there you go! To add insult to injury the guy at the caravan site charged me 14 pound a night for a one man tent and no electric!!! West Sussex prices in Wales?

Last week's exploits!

I went down the river last Thursday full of expectation! Having parked the caravan up and had a chat with Derek, the new owner, I took a walk to see what the river was like. Rain a few days earlier had lifted the river level but it was still a bit cloudy. I decided to give that night a miss and went for a walk instead. The next day wasn't too bad so on the evening I made my way down to my favourite beat. On my way it started raining. The wind increased and the rain got heavier! At dark I cast a few lines and gave up because of the gusty wind and torrential rain! Rained off you could say! The rain lasted for at least 24 hours! No fishing for me then!

My first trip of 2016

Spent 3 nights on the river last week and really enjoyed it. On the Thursday night I fished alone and lost a big fish around midnight. I also saw a good fish move 3 or 4 times. Rod came down on Friday and we fished together both Friday and Saturday nights but had no sport! We were the only anglers on Llangadog water but we did see a guy on the Llandeilo water. Disappointing but still a great feeling to be out on the river again!

First trip of the season?

I'm looking forward to my first fishing trip of the 2016 season! I'm fishing from the 5th May for 3 or 4 nights (or days if its too cold). Can't wait!

The new season will soon be here!

It's been a long wet wait but winter is saying goodbye and spring is almost here together with the 2016 fishing season! With the river in spate (6 ft - 4" on the gauge yesterday) the river should be in pristine condition when the season starts on the 1st April.

Lets hope that we have a productive season and that we are all fit and well enough to enjoy it!

Tight lines!

AGM for the 2016 Season!

The AGM will be on Friday 12th February 2016. We should all attend really but it's such a long way to go for f..k all don't you think?

Happy New Year!

Well, you may notice that I didn't put up any posts on this season? It wasn't for any particular reason it was just that I couldn't be arsed! Also Rod didn't fish because of his operation so there wasn't much to report other than me and John's efforts.

My season was quite enjoyable actually! I got a 10lb sewin and a few other fish ranging from 3lb to 5lb. While I'm sat at home in the middle of winter wondering if it's ever going to stop raining then it makes me more enthusiastic about the new 2016 season than normal!

John had 3 fish I believe and disappointingly lost a salmon at the back end of the season!

I'm hoping to try fishing early this new season, subject to the weather and water levels of course. Before that mind I need to get a new pair of waders! Only 3 months to go!

The New Season is almost here!

Well the new season is almost here! I can't wait to pay a visit to the river this season - I feel that I've missed it more than ever this winter! Lets hope that we see some returning Sewin? I'd like to take this opportunity to wish Rodney Byles well with his forthcoming operation! Hope you recover quickly Rod ready for some night fishing on the Towy! Just remember Rod that while you're recuperating you can always tie me some tubes please?

Nick reveals some interesting news to be discussed at the AGM?

Nick has told me that he's had an email from Eifion prior to the AGM containing some interesting information!

'every one to pay the same fees.and we could losing the crewil pool hill side and down from were we park the cars. local Authority want to double the rent'


I have via Facebook requested that any major news like this affecting the Club should be posted on Facebook prior to the meeting but this request was declined!

The AGM is this Friday 30th January 2015

This is your chance to have your say!

The New Season is coming!

As the new season is just around the corner I thought I would try and get you all in the mood with this video clip (courtesy of My Byles)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ6RfboRHac&feature=em-hot-vrecs

Cold nights make fishing difficult if not pointless!

I have spent 5 days and 4 nights at Llangadog last week and I enjoyed every moment! The weather was lovely and warm during the day so I spent most afternoons in my hide with a camera. Despite every effort on my part I failed to get any decent wildlife shots! There were a couple of kingfishers about but none of them wanted to play ball with my perches! I did however get a good shot of 'the cat' to my great surprise and excitement! I need to process these images so I'll wait until I've got something that's worth posting! Unless we get serious rain I can't see it being worth daytime fishing and the prospects of that happening don't look all that good in the near future!

My last trip of the season beckons!

I'm going down on Monday for a few days as it's the only chance I'll get before the end of the season because of personal commitments! I may fish or I may not but one thing is for certain I'll get some peace! Having had my son and his wife staying with us for 4 days with their daughter Riya I'm ready to escape! With a dustbin full of nappies and a house that's been turned upside down I need space. By the way Riya is no trouble at all poor thing!!

I think she's hooked?

40 fish in 2 evenings! Beat that lads!

Sandy's report!

Managed to get hold of Sandy tonight. As you will know he hasn't been well. Anyway you will be pleased to know that he is feeling much better and his doctor is pleased with his progress too! He's talking about going fishing again soon!

One thing of particular interest that he told me about regarding his recent fishing trip is that on the last couple of nights he discovered the effectiveness of the Jambo! He got more offers and pulls on this than any other method - and some big fish too! So maybe he was fishing too deep even with a floating line? Interesting!

Tim's latest report

Tim Wilkinson has been fishing and sent me this report!

I had 2 nights this week - Wed on Crewil. I saw a few fish early doors, but nothing apart from a parr. One of the lads (Miguel's mate) had a 5 lb-er. Dai had one on, but lost it. Thurs I went down the bottom, but the strength of the wind was a problem. I had a take and fish on, then thrash at surface and fish off. This was in the pool above Andy's pool in the small slack on the opposite bank. I didn't see or hear any fish at all. Well the rain has come and hopefully, with the nets off and fresh water coming in, the sewin will start to run. Typical though, I'm off the Scotland tomorrow morning for a few days (not fishing unfortunately) so it'll have to wait until I come back. Maybe I'll see you down there before the end of the season. Please pass on my best wishes to Sandy, when you see him.

We need some decent rain I think. If we get some then I might venture out the week after next but without rain I think the prospects are poor!