|
Post by orangeotter on Mar 15, 2014 12:53:31 GMT
Although Dyfan and I are lucky enough to have access to excellent fishing in our area, we have started a quest to find waters further afield which will be of interest to forum members in general, as well as to ourselves. There has been much poring over maps and plans laid to visit a variety of streams from Snowdonia to mid Wales. Our season started on March 3rd so the first trip was to be in the area of Llyn Celyn, between Bala and Trawsfynedd, on the B4212.
Two streams are of interest there - the Afon Gelyn which is the first to be seen running into Celyn and the upper Tryweryn a couple of miles further on. You'll know that the Tryweryn (lower) runs into the Dee at Bala and hosts an indecent amount of canoe activity. I have it on very good authority that the upper Tryweryn holds a good head of trout, to a substantial size but the Gelyn is an unknown quantity. However, the quest is to find waters of true Tenkara characteristic, ie, tumbling mountainous streams and these two are a good starting point.
( you need to read this in conjunction with the excellent blog that Dyfan created today - see General)
We checked out the Tryweryn at the point of entry into the lake and then a mile or so further up - totally different character with the upper stretches looking more like a lowland stream but very fishy, maybe not classic Tenkara water though. We elected to start fishing at the bottom end and were blown away with what faced us as we crossed the rough land to the river - this appeared to be the classic mountainous stream of our dreams but would it hold fish. This was early March and at a good altitude, cold fog blew around us and we were very cold but we were there to fish and explore.
In a nutshell, we worked our way upstream not believing the terrain - a prehistoric landscape with massive boulders but what an inviting stretch of river - the gradient in places was massive and I can't post sufficient pictures to show it all. We failed to catch but it didn't matter, consoling ourselves that it was still practically winter up here and things will surely get better. We were like excited kids as we flicked our flies into the most gorgeous pockets and after a couple of hours called it a day, tired but elated.
We had business in the Gelyn as we descended but this fairly short stream yielded nothing, great fun though and not dissimilar to the Tryweryn but not as rocky. There will surely be more trips but we think you'll be impressed with the character. We'll report on future visits and those to other far flung streams.
I'm struggling with picture posting within this reply so will add in others - enjoy.
|
|
|
Post by orangeotter on Mar 15, 2014 12:56:25 GMT
|
|
|
Post by adric on Mar 15, 2014 17:04:55 GMT
Cracking pictures Louis
Richard
|
|
|
Post by flatsghost on Mar 15, 2014 18:21:29 GMT
Louis The pictures are good and it all looks very inviting. Well done for boldly going where others fear to tread! I am sure when it warms a little you will have sport. Incidentally, I have never had any success with trout in the fog, either lakes or rivers. Do you have any thoughts on this? A gillie in Orkney pointed this up to me many years ago and since that time I have noticed that foggy conditions are invariably poor fishing. It has happened too many times for me for it to be a coincidence. Tight lines and well done to you and Dyfan. Glyn
|
|
|
Post by orangeotter on Mar 15, 2014 18:43:09 GMT
Hi Glyn, interesting point about fog - I'm sure your right, I've always had bad days but this was just whispy stuff swirling about. It usually comes with cold weather and it was damn cold yesterday ( 44 degrees air and water). In truth I think it's just too early for those rivers.
We'll keep going though until we reach a conclusion.
Cheers,
|
|
|
Post by springerman on Mar 15, 2014 19:06:54 GMT
Louis, you have certainly got the photo job sorted. Again, well done.
|
|
|
Post by pedros on Mar 15, 2014 19:49:37 GMT
Great adventure, great pics The Afon Prysor that runs into Traws. further down A4212 looks very fishy. I pass that often on my way to Abersoch. The 4212 between Celyn and Traws is one of the most beautiful driving routes in Wales, hard to keep your eyes off the Prysor...
|
|
|
Post by orangeotter on Mar 16, 2014 8:28:44 GMT
Prysor was also visited yesterday, but not fished. Spoke to Secretary, lots of trout and £18/day - ouch !
Not too much water to go at but on the list for a visit soon.
Probably lowland character.
We will report !
|
|
|
Post by daves on Mar 17, 2014 9:56:53 GMT
Lovely looking water.
|
|
|
Post by dbl on Mar 18, 2014 12:18:20 GMT
Amazing pics, Louis! And, I guess, Dyfan has to be awarded Tenkara's first bardic chair! I wondered about Welsh sirens and I found this: "The Gwragedd Annwn are water nymphs; they row about on isolated mountain lakes in little skiffs." Apparently they take mortal men as husbands. Is there something you aren't telling us? However, look out for this: "The Llamhigyn y Dwr is a monstrous toad with wings and a tail instead of legs, so big that it devours sheep. When fishermen hook it on the end of their lines it lets out with a blood-curdling scream."
|
|
|
Post by orangeotter on Mar 18, 2014 13:52:47 GMT
Agree about Dyfan's poetic skill - our own Dylan Thomas !
You know, I think we may have seen a Llamhigyn y Dwr but can't be certain.....
I think the Vyrnwy is calling again !
|
|
|
Post by paul1966 on Mar 19, 2014 15:24:33 GMT
Those rivers look fantastic, I will be following further reports closely I've often wondered what it would be like to fish streams like these. I haven't been on the route in this report but I've driven past similar looking places over the years when driving between SW Wales and N Wales .Where do you buy the tickets or is it free?
|
|
|
Post by orangeotter on Mar 19, 2014 16:54:20 GMT
It seems that the land owner is not known and the fishing considered to be free.
Keep you posted as the season develops.
|
|
|
Post by paul1966 on Mar 19, 2014 17:09:52 GMT
I'm looking forward to hear how it unfolds.
|
|
|
Post by Simon on Jul 13, 2014 6:56:45 GMT
Posted for Louis. The Bala show in June gave me the opportunity to revisit the upper Tryweryn to see if it did hold fish. It was considerably lower than in March and some nifty casting was required in a strong wind to get the fly into the shrunken runs and pools. A small deer hair sedge brought some rises and 4 pretty fish, although only small. This was very welcome and I'll visit again as I only fished a short reach. A word of caution though - a slip on the numerous boulders could put you in trouble as there is no phone reception, better to fish with someone else. The walk from the road is also extremely tiring due to the uneven terrain. Still, an excellent experience on a water highly suitable for Tenkara. Louis "Orange Otter"
|
|