3rd March
After the heavy snow over the last few days, and the very low temperatures last night the prospects of a good day's fishing could not be expected. Arrived at the river at 1230 conditions looked good and very sunny, the temp was about 5°.The river from the Llay bridge looked milky, flowing steadily, I decided to set my rod up for upstream nymphing, not my favourite method but beggars can be choosers. A few other anglers were already on the river. The river temperature was measured at 3°. No fish were seen to be moving anywhere along the length of river that I fished. Above the second weir there was a large hatch of large dark olives around 1300, but still no fish were seen rising. Once this snow starts the melt the river is going to be washed out for a week or so. So if you want to get your fly lines wet, this weekend will be your best bet. If you go remember to please email me with your fishing report, even if you blank like I did today.
Simon
4th March
1 grayling below the weir (31 yards) 1 good take 100y above, but missed. Water coloured but clearing, no fish rising or hatch, very sunny & warm. To add on my report - Fished from the railway bridge below the weir up to Flame corner. Tried various bugs from size 12 to 18's - success came with the drowned daddy (complete with rubber legs) pic's & tying instructions to come when I can get my downloading program working !!! Found that my chest waders have perished beyond repair so finished early ? Reminder to all to do pre season checks on your equipment !!
Eddie
Intrepid/foolhardy new member checked out the river last Sunday (5th March) to be greeted by a high fast-flowing Alyn. I was greeted by friendly and helpful chairman who was amazed to see me there in such bad weather and with the promise of a snow storm imminent. I was shown best place to get some easy casting done and after sheltering under a bridge with a Kingfisher to weather out the storm had some pleasant fishing. Used a gold-head nymph with no luck!! Advice would be welcome on how to fish this river, please!!
Dan
22nd March
After all the bad weather over the last few weeks it was good to get an hour on the river this afternoon. The river looks perfect, good depth of water with a good flow and clear. The only trouble is the temp, very cold! As you know I prefer dry fly fishing, but with nothing rising I had to try and remember how to use wet flies, I covered a lot of water but not even a nibble, that’s not to say the fish are not there it’s more like I have no idea what I’m really doing with wet flies! Anyway the weather was good with plenty of wildlife to watch. Let’s hope the river warms up soon.
Simon.
23rd March
Met Dan at llay road bridge and walked the lower part below Llay road bridge, Wind temp was biting with no sun to be seen. Dan tried drifting a couple of nymphs down the slack water on the far bank but nothing happening. Saw one fish rise out of the corner of my eye under a willow by the white cottage, roll cast a LDO to the rise, nothing the first two drifts, then on the third, fish on! Landed a fish of around 6ins. First of the season. In all I was on the river for 30 mins. Worth stopping on the way home from work.
Simon.
7th April
Spring is here, flocks of Sand Martins are now soaring above the sewage field. I
manage to get 1 hour on the river from 4.30pm. Made my way upriver from the sewage works with a dry fly attached, well there is hope and the weather was sunny. Nothing was seen rising by the time I reached September cottage; there is still a lot of fast water coming down the river. I changed to a cast of three spiders and worked my way back downstream. Not a nibble gave in when I reached the top end of the Sewage works. Fish must start to show soon.
Simon
8th April
Managed to get another hours fishing in today between the showers. Fished from 11.30 am below Llay Road Bridge. The water is clear but still fast flowing; no fish on the top, so yet again two wets were tied on. This time because of the flow I used two gold head black and peacock spiders to get them down a bit. Hooked into a fish on the second cast but lost it after a few short runs just below the bridge. Worked my way downstream to the straight above the weir, hooked into another but again got off! Must be my wet fly technique, then the rain came! So I packed up and headed home. The river is perfect at the moment for you wet fly fishermen! Am I the only one on the river?
Simon
9th April
Fished on Sunday after work party fished small nymphs size 16 Copper Pheasant Tail and Black and Peacock Spider, fished round Llay Road Bridge. Lost one of the hook and missed 3 other takes, weather squally and sunny.
Ian
Fished during the working party tea break. Walked down towards Rossett weir, fishing with the same two flies from yesterday. Met Dan had a chat then made a few cast downstream of him. Caught an over wintered 9in brown, fin perfect. Dan is now convinced that there are trout in the river.
Simon
10th April
Fished on Monday 10th April from 1:00 - 2:30 from the Straight Cut back down to Llay Bridge. Nothing rising so tried nymphs with no success. A small number of light coloured flies were coming off. Water still cold and with a strong flow. Despite the lack of fish it was good to be on the river particularly when the sun was shining. The work done during the winter is very impressive.
David Meadows
Fished for 90 minutes blanked. Water cold and quite fast
Allen
I went down to the river between 3 and 4.pm on Monday. Between the Llay bridge and 1st weir there was no surface activity but I decided to fish the water with a black Klinkhammer anyway. Nothing happened. Up from the Llay Bridge for about 500m also, nothing happened. The water was clear but still quite fast, showing about +6 inches.
Dan
14th April
Fished Friday afternoon, I used GRHE nymph and Matthew PTN. No fish but the River looked wonderful - split our fishing between Worms Wood (2 hours) and Llay Road Bridge (2 hours) area. Thanks to the 'Working Party' who have made considerable improvements to the Riverbank.
Looking forward to our next visit.
Jeff & Matthew Johnson
I finally got onto the river after a terrible start to the season, it was wonderful trying out my new rod and fishing jacket. The fishing was slow but later on in the afternoon a reasonable hatch started and a fish came and took the dry fly. The fish was only on for a few thrilling moments but it was one of the highlights to my afternoon. There were lots of people on the river and it was great seeing Mathew on the river enjoying his fishing and casting well he has made a lot of progress since last season. Some also commented that all the river work was a great improvement making access better and less dangerous. Well done the working party it was easier for me to get in and out of the river without having to slide down the banks, thank you.
Sonia.
15th April
Fished on Saturday 15th April, weather fine warm 14c sunny then overcast.
Started at Sewage Farm and fished to September Cottage got 3 fish best 14ins and two 10ins, on 14 Copper Pheasant Tail, then went to Llay rd bridge and saw fish rising and got two on a size 16 Olive emerger one about 12ins and one 8ins.
Ian R
Even with the river looking so good the fish are still very hard to find. The temp of the water seems to be keeping them hard on the bottom. Sonia and I fished or a few hours this afternoon covering a lot of water with no success. We met Ian who had caught 3 on tungsten nymph, he explained that you had to stay right on the bottom, After he gave us one of his nymphs I caught two in the first pool we tried, fishing it upstream, Sonia wanted to try this technique so off to another pool and again fish on. If you want to catch go deep quickly.
Simon & Sonia
Fished 10am-2.30pm. Water temp. 10C/50F, Light SE/S cool wind, Overcast, occasional sunny spell. Water clear, moderate flow + 2-3ins. No visible sign of fish during visit, no hatches. Worked my way upstream from Llay Bridge fishing fairly deep upstream nymph. Fished to top of straight cut without a touch. Changed to downstream wet (Bloody Butcher) and worked back, Again, no takes until the bend just above Flame Corner when I hooked and landed a nice trout of about 9ins. Worked back to road bridge without any more takes
Allan Swindles
16th April
Fished from 14:00 to 15:00 on Sunday, weather excellent, dry, sunny, but no rises. Caught one at the top of the water treatment works about 1/2 pound. Also had "son" (or daughter) of "Nemo" come & take a look at my fly, when telling Simon of this it decided to pop out of the water to look at us - about 2 pound. As I left the water Simon was waiting for the fish to settle back - I await the actual size to be shown on his return form - or will Sonia beat him to it?
Eddie
Son of Nemo is still uncaught. Had a nibble but did not connect. Caught a small fry about 3in behind the sewage works on an upstream nymph, we have breading fish in the river. A mink was seen again behind the sewage works. Sonia blanked today but the weather made the afternoon out.
Simon & Sonia
17th April
Fished Monday 5-15pm for hour & half in field with 2 horses next to Worms Wood. Had one on about 6ins for 5 seconds till it jumped out of water and threw hook!! Using weighted GRHE nymph with touch of red on thorax.
Water high but clear.
Jeff
18th April
Fished from 17.00 - 18.45, caught two fish one a Salmon par, the other a nice over wintered trout, caught the largest of the two on a chomper. Water running clear but still a little bit up after the previous day’s rain, nothing rising but hatches of Caddis and small Olives hatching on the river.
Allen.
Fished for an hour and a half this afternoon from the straight cut downstream to the Llay Road Bridge. Nothing rising so used a copper nymph to explore the depths. Missed three good pulls just up from the bridge. Fishing deep certainly seems to be the solution; I just need to practice keeping fish on the hook!
Andy Davies
20th April
Fished for the first time this season on Thursday 20th April. Started at the top of our old upstream boundary on John Dutton's land. River looked in fine condition, a couple of inches up and flowing well. Tried Kites Imperial as there were some large/medium dark olives hatching and one fish moved ahead of me - it was not interested in my offering and didn't move again! Walked upstream on the right bank and was surprised to find it is now possible to walk between the fence and the river and presume the farmer has adjusted his fence - we certainly haven't. Went upstream to the first bend on Priestley's land but nothing else seen. The section where the Council placed concrete protection after the 'great flood' needs some attention to improve its fish holding potential and we ought to have a go at this when the opportunity arises. The left bank here looks much better and when the vegetation grows a little this section should be productive for all ages of trout. There is plenty of natural rock as the result of revetment work done years ago so with a little judicial moving of some of these rocks, pools and riffles can be formed.
Howard
River +5in. Water temp 46F (8C). Air temp 13C - 14C. Water Clear. Wind Light/Moderate from South West (downstream).
Started fishing about 11:30, walked to second field and started fishing in Acacia Tree pool (below Howard's Folly). Fished dry (probably a mistake) with size 16 Klinkhammer, tried both black and olive varieties. Raised one fish in this pool which I missed, due to watching a pair of yellow wagtails and a chaffinch. Worked up to just below straight-cut having a few casts in all the likely places and known holding spots. No fish rising, but a decent hatch of Grannom started about 1pm which was totally ignored, hatch lasted about 20 minutes. Unfortunately had to pack up about 1:30pm as I had to get back, this ideally would have been the time to start fishing. No fish, but a pleasant stroll along the river with plenty of wildlife to see.
Tight lines
Bob H
22nd April
Arrived at Llay Bridge shortly after 10am. Weather cloudy with downstream S/SE breeze. Water +5-6ins. Moderate flow and fairly clear. Water temp. 10C/50F.
Started fishing deepish upstream nymph but within a half hour or so wind had picked up making it impossible to cast (for me anyway).
Switched to downstream wet and still working my way upstream, fished across and down. Yes, I know I should have walked upstream and fished back down, but when you haven't fished for a week don't you just want to get the fly in the water. Anyway I was hoping the wind would ease so I could go back to nymph or dry. Had a pull just above Flame Corner but did not connect and nothing further as far as the cut.
Worked back downstream, fishing a Cinnamon & Gold and had a very firm pull in the pool below the cut which caught me by surprise as I was just mending line. Another chance missed. Worked back to bridge without any further contacts. Coffee and a bite and off again. By mid afternoon the wind had eased considerably and guess what - there were two or three fish showing but what they were taking I cannot say as there was nothing obvious hatching, in fact, earlier, when there was the occasional LDO on the wing, there was no activity. Tried nymph and dry but no takers. So a blank but pleasant day.
PS: Had my licence checked today by WA. Must be the first time in 20+ years. Showed me his ID but turned up in an unmarked car.
Allan S
Fished from sewage works up to September Cottage very dour not much doing at all, hooked and lost two no other pulls tried dry for a while but nothing, river seemed to rise as I was fishing a bit of colour came in and when I started I could see the middle of the 0 on the scale but when I finished I could not see the 0 at all, weather ok just a cool breeze. Fished Saturday 10oclock until 3.30pm.
Ian R.
23rd April
Arrived at 18:15 & fished upstream of the Sewage Farm. The river was up, slightly coloured & cold despite the sun. A good hatch was on, but no fish showed. Had one small brown (6") just above the concrete ledge, by the dual carriageway on silver headed hare's ear. No other interest shown, left at 19:30.
Eddie
Hello Simon fished after work party, started at Llay Road Bridge up to straight cut, got a small fish near road bridge on an Olive nymph, looked like a Salmon Smolt about 8ins long. Otherwise I did not get another touch only fished 1 1/2 hrs. Weather ok quite warm not much wind. Checked my diary and found similar conditions last year as now and the fishing was just as hard.
Ian R
26th April
Temp 14C, wind West cool blustery breeze, water +1", water temp 50F(10C).
Started just above road by new steps at about 12:30, size 16 olive Klinkhammer, no action there. Moved up to where new fencing starts below cabbage corner. A small fish was rising in the back-eddy in a pretty near impossible position, however as we do, I became obsessed with trying to present the fly and tempt him. Of course the fly started to drag almost as soon as it landed, meanwhile the fish continued to rise just to annoy me. Eventually after about 15 minutes it landed just about on his nose and was taken straight away. Only a small fish of about 8" (being generous) but good fun. Fished all the usual spots without seeing anything, but eventually raised and hooked a better fish in the pool 100yds above the farm bridge still on the same fly. Carried on fishing up to straight-cut but saw nothing else, packed up about 3pm. Very pleasant couple of hours, and pleased to see three other members out fishing (must be a record for midweek). Tight lines.
Bob H
27th April
Fished from 18:00 – 19:30 caught one little trout on a gold head nymph, seen two rise but never turned them the seemed to be taking no seeums, tried midge patterns with no result, good hatch of caddis again, water is still cold but running nice and clear. The fish are starting to find lies now in the river system, so hopefully the fishing will improve. Fishing is never really gets under way until May.
Allen.
Fished from 4.00 onwards on the 27th. River looks immaculate with plenty of hatches. I started above the 2nd weir but nothing was rising. I speculated with a dry with no result and tried a wet with no luck either. Moved to below the weir and adjacent to the works was greeted with the sight of fish moving on the top. I tried Simon's Olive dry, a Klikhammer but indelicate presentation meant no result. Great time, though, and I think they're starting to show! Weather was a light northerly breeze, 14 centigrade and sunny. Finished at 7.00.
Dan
28th April
10:30am - 14:00hrs Fished from llay road bridge through to the Sewage works plenty of fish visible but all on the bottom nymphing, a few rises from the two farm bridges up to the straight cut a nice fish taken just under the first bridge of 10 inchs on an adams but letting saturate and presenting under the surface. Spooked one by the sewage works outlet to no avail it didn't rise again. LDO hatching on staight cut on way back about 13:00hrs but nothing rising for them. Water still cold but sun rose the temp up to 14 degree's. Two other members on the river which was nice to see.
Karl.
29th April
I had volunteered to be the cook for the BBQ on the river walk today so there was no intention to fish. Sonia came along with her rod to pass the time. The BBQ was set up at the bottom of the straight cut where Sonia had a fish until her waders started to leak, end of the fishing. While waiting for the walkers to reach us a fish was seen to rise so I grabbed the rod and cast to it, second cast hooked it but got off, I tried the run again to see if there were any other fish. Third cast fish caught and landed on a LDO dry, the fish was kept in the landing net to prove that there are fish in the river. Fishing time today 5 mins, 1 caught 1 lost. Thanks to everybody that turned up and for Eddie for organising it.
Simon
1st A big thank you to all those who helped with the river walk today, especialy the catering department. Now for my report - Fished downstream from the road bridge to below Rossett weir, starting at 13:00 . From the footbridge at the start of the river walk there was a group of trout (6+) upto 1 ld + Didn't manage the bigger ones, but had one of 1/2 ld - taking hares ear spider (weighted) right on the bottom. Moved lower down, below the weir & had three more on the same pattern, including my 1st sea trout of the season at 3/4 ld. Fished back up to the footbridge, missing two more takes in the deep area by the road, finished at 14:00.
Eddie
30th April
Fished for a few hours on Sunday afternoon from the Cut down to the Llay Bridge. River appeared to be in good condition. The occasional fish showed, particularly below Llay Bridge, but these were very easily spooked in the already low, clear water. Had a couple of pulls on gold head nymphs in the run above Llay Bridge but the fish did not stay on.
David Meadows
1st May
Managed to get to the river today around 1530 with Sonia. The river was up a few inches after the overnight rain and coloured. We only had an hour to fish so Sonia went upstream of Llay Road Bridge, I wandered down stream. Sonia had no luck at all but saw the first mallard chicks of the year and yet another mink. Nothing was rising below Llay Bridge so I tried upstream nymphing above the bridge. Not a nibble! But I saw a fish rise close into the left bank. I changed fly to a size 20 olive KH. Covered the fish and caught it. About 7in. Wandered upstream to find Sonia. Stopped at the next pool above Flame corner, two fish were rising in the eddy on the far bank. Very difficult to present the fly long enough for the trout to see, the current drags the line very quickly. I could only cover one of the rising fish long enough with the same fly, again another fish of about 8in. We were back home be 1700.
Simon & Sonia
3rd May
Went for a wander down to the river from between 8pm and 9pm from Llay road bridge to just below the cut, took my rod along...just in case. Quite a large hatch but absolutely nothing showing any interest didn't see a single rise. Saw a couple of members who had had no luck what so ever. Had a little dabble just above the two bridges with a size 18 winged olive but nothing. As one of the members who I saw put it, a very pleasant stroll along the riverbank with rod and net.
Simon W
5th May
Sam (Sam Rowlands) popped in to see me (neighbour) this afternoon to say he fished for a couple of hours last night(6pm - 8pm) - upstream from Llay Road bridge - Gold head PTN Caught none - didn’t see any rising. He mentioned that he lost his landing net - any chance we can put out an APB for it!!
Sam
Fished Flame corner for half an hour after work from quarter to, to quarter past 8. 2 caught, one from just under the willow on the corner and one from the pool on the far bank just below where the log has been removed. Both around 8 to 10 inches and taken on a size 14 yellow Klinkhammer.
Simon W
Went fishing from about 17:00 – 19:45 caught a nice brown on Elk hair caddis about 1 ¼ lb, lost another fish and missed one, In the time I fished I witnessed 4 fish rising which is an improvement on the last time I went fishing. The Welsh Dee is not fairing much better either, \caught two trout and seen 1 rise.
Allen
6th May
Only the second time out and arrived at the river at 3pm when it was obvious the weather was turning grey and chilly. Chatted with another angler who was fishing in the 'willow pool' for fish that refuse normally to be caught and he reported that poachers had been reported by him to the EA. Fished below the 'folly' and first cast, to a rising fish, hooked and landed a 10" fish. Moved up and hooked and lost a smaller fish below the foot bridge, both on a GRHE. The breeze was difficult to deal with and maintain an accurate cast and although I walked through to the straight cut, saw no more rising fish. Not much fly about either except for an odd spinner, probably medium or large dark olive, a handsome fly but very sparse.
Howard S
This is not a fishing report. I have been laid up for the last week with the flu so I have been grounded. I was let out today so Sonia and I walked the river after hearing all the reports about no fish showing. The weather was warm but overcast with a slight downriver breeze. The clean bottom of the river has now been replaced by the usual black slime; the water is clear and at summer levels with a slow flow. There were many insects to be seen; Hawthorn; LDO’s and it look like large browns. Along with these there were many small sedge. Now the fish. They are now looking to the surface, we walked as far as the top of the straight cut, we saw many fish rising in the pools that you would expect. They looked hungry as the takes were savage. If this weather stays by next weekend there should be fish everywhere! Please keep sending in you reports and if you see a poacher, call the EA and report them.
Simon
Fished 10.30am-3.30pm. Hazy sun becoming more overcast, downstream breeze which strengthened early afternoon. Water temp. 12.5C, Air temp. 16C, River Height mid 0.
After a slow start a number of fish began to show late morning. Plenty of fly life but not really a feeding frenzy. Only one fish caught around 5" but in vgc on GRHE nymph, had two or three misses and another couple of small fish threw the hook. Saw one or two very powerful takes but most were fairly gentle, almost sips. I spent an hour or more trying for one fish which was taking strongly but would not look at any of my offerings. Whilst trying to tempt this particular fish, a pair of Yellow Wagtails flew onto a sandbank opposite and spent quite some time there. They looked as though they were splitting their sides laughing at my efforts, with their constant bobbing. Saw a couple of poachers and 'phoned EA, took an age to finally get to speak to someone by which time they had moved off upstream incidentally, leave off the first zero when using a mobile. By 2.30pm. The wind had freshened and all the activity seemed to stop, but it was nice to see fish rising at last.
Allan S
7th May
Spent 1.5 hrs on the river from 13.30 with Sonia. The working party had just finished. The river looked good but few fish were rising. A quick call to the EA to report 3 poachers below Llay road bridge them onto the fishing. Sonia had no luck again today but enjoyed the casting practice! I caught 3 fish 1 on a size 20 PTN above Llay Road Bridge, the other two were caught on a LDO.
Simon & Sonia
9th May
Fished the river tonight from 1630 – 1730. Fish started rising around 1700 at and above Flame Corner. Lost 3 at the corner the caught 2 at the Eddie pool on a Bubble wing caddis size 18, they seen to like this new fly that I am using this year.
Simon.
11th May
Fished Thursday 11th from 17.30 until 19:40 caught half dozen fish the smallest being ¾ lb largest 1lb+. Fish rising pretty much through out the river but not in big numbers, river running a little coloured.
Allen
12th May
Arrived at the river at about 1pm after a warm morning and the promise of a fly hatch. As soon as I arrived the clouds were gathering and thunder was clearly not too far distant. The river looked clear, if a little sludgy, due to the decomposing algae. Walked upstream of the Llay road bridge and noticed there were a steady flow of leaves which indicated that the river probably had had some rain upstream. Within ten minutes the water level increased by four to five inches and the river suddenly was cloudy. This carried on for an hour and the thunder was still all around. The river did eventually go down a few inches after a further hour and a half but the colour remained. There were some fly about but no sign of rising fish. As a fishing trip, this was not a success, so I spent some time hacking weeds and cutting around hawthorns that were planted last year and which were in danger of being choked out. Members will note the presence of 'aquamat' under the Llay Bridge which needs to be fixed more securely. This material is to be trialled by the EA in an attempt to provide in stream cover although we will try yet again to plant ranunculus and hope to be able to prevent it either being torn out by the river or eaten by the swans.
Howard S
14th May
Spent 2 hrs on the river from 1530 - 1730, conditions were perfect with only one other angler to be seen. 8 fish were caught on a size 16 bubble wing caddis at various locations starting from Llay road bridge, working up to the sewage works, most were around 9in with a couple of par.
Simon
Fished from 1.00pm - 4.30pm, conditions as reported on home page.
Abundant fly life and numerous fish rising. Caught three, two 8" and one 10" all in excellent condition on a Snipe and Purple fished upstream. After an hour or so I was getting no further interest so switched to my favourite nymph, the GRHE. I cast to a nymphing fish an immediately had a very strong take from a good fish. After playing it for what seemed like ages but was probably about 15-20 seconds, the line went slack and it was gone. Moved further upstream and continued getting takes on the GRHE but could not hold them for more than a few seconds. Suddenly, about 3.30pm everything went quiet. Although there was still some fly activity, there was not a fish to be seen. I continued to fish, without any more takes, until 4.30pm and decided to call it a day. Back at the car I began to disassemble my rod and when I removed the fly noticed the gape of the hook had opened somewhat - how I don't know - could it have been that first big 'un that got away? No wonder I lost so many others after that. That'll teach me to check the fly more often. Driving back down the M53, there had obviously been some heavy rain. Perhaps the fish went down 'cause they didn't want to get wet!
Allan S.
16th May
Fished from 19:00hrs for about one hour tonight 30 metres above Rossett weir to Llay Road Bridge, water slightly up and still coloured but fish rising and taking LDO size 18 off the surface. 3 fish covered and hooked but never got them to the bank before they dropped off all about 6". Two home made rod rests (branches off the hazel bush below the weir) on the bank above the weir by the conker tree but no sign of poachers.
Karl
28th May
Sonia and I fished today from 1545 – 1700, river +6in at Llay bridge, coloured water flowing medium fast. We fished New Zealand style with large deer haired sedge as the indictor and a heavy nymph on a 3ft dropper. Sonia had no luck, I caught 1 in the fast water below Flame corner about 1.5 lbs and another threw the hook in the same place. Caught another in the pool at Flame corner about 6in. Had two make takes but failed to hook them.
Simon & Sonia
29th May
Overnight the river has dropped be 5in and cleared to a milky colour. We fished the river for a couple of hours from 1230. No fish were showing even though there are load of small olives all over the river. Hundreds of sand martins were taking flies off the surface; we have never seen so many by Llay Road Bridge. We fished the same style as yesterday with Sonia covering the lower half while I started above the Eddie pool. The fish were not playing until the pool by the first style. As I was talking to Paul Lang, I connected with a trout of about 1lb. That was the only fish for me today. Sonia caught at last in the Eddie pool but in her excitement forgot that she was only wearing thigh waders, one wet leg.
Simon & Sonia
31st May
Fished from 9:00 - 12:00 on Wednesday from Sewage Works upstream and back. Not a fish rising anywhere! Water clear but still up a few inches. Caught 1 small fish on dry but nothing came to the nymph despite my best efforts. Water and air temperature needs to increase before sport improves. In addition to the fishing I was almost knocked down by a sheep which decided it had right of way on a very narrow path!
David Meadows
1st June
Only fished for 30 minutes Thursday evening, downstream of the sewage works. Lots of fly life, water slightly cloudy, but no fish showing. Dryfly had no takers the length of the field, so fished back "upstream wet. Tried a new shrimp pattern on the last pool before the downstream hedge & had 3 trout to 3/4 lb, very happy so packed up while ahead.
Eddie
3rd June
Sorry about this late report, Sonia and I fished Saturday in Worms’s wood. I started below the road bridge while Sonia started half way up the horse field before you enter Worms’s wood. I fished all the way up to Sonia nothing moving at all; Sonia saw one fish rise in very shallow fast moving water, covered it and caught on a bubble winged caddis. I overtook her and fished into Worms’s wood, nothing moving at all. This is a great section of water that we may not have next season, Try fishing it now while you have the chance! No other fish were caught.
Simon & Sonia
Fished on Saturday from 4:30 - 6:30 pm. As on Wednesday I did not see any fish rising as I fished from the Llay Bridge to the Cut. Tried a goldhead nymph below the Llay Bridge and eventually hooked a good size fish which then came off! I hope the fishing improves soon.
David Meadows
Sunny, northerly upstream breeze, water mid 0, water temp. 13C/56F, shallows clear but pools cloudy. Fished from 10.30am until 3pm. I never saw a fish rise during that time from Llay bridge to the top weir. Some fly activity late morning but no fish moving to them despite them being on the surface for a considerable time. Plenty of flies in the air throughout the day but nothing coming off the water. Started on dry but switched to deep nymph after an hour or so but still had no takes. So, a pleasant walk with several dips in the pools but sadly the river is looking quite dour.
Allan S.
8th June
The river is about summer level and has been mostly cleared of algae. It has been reported that it seems to have been cleared of fish also. I'm not sure of that. Fished from 8pm to 10 ish although, having met Billy Hough, Simon Wise,Ken Jones and the Cow man, there was more talking and the 'crack' than serious and concentrated angling. It was a pleasant evening and fish were caught. Although there was, what appeared to be an abundance of fly, there was very little on the water. I did see a mass of olive spinner, more than I've seen for some time and a single mayfly spinner. The olives were probably 'small dark' but in spite of our best efforts, they eluded capture. Fish were rising only spasmodically although did increase as dusk fell and an odd sedge appeared - haven't seen that many sedge this year although perhaps that's because I haven't been to the river as much as I should have been! So fish caught from the above, eight, and Simon says he caught a couple of grayling (good size) below the weir.
Howard S
9th June
Matthew & I fished Friday 8pm - 10 pm Flame Corner upstream untill the next field. Fishing with a GRHE nymph and Mattew used an olive nymph. River looked perfect, clear and slow and also saw the new weed that has been planted. Hooked into a small fish in the fast section of flame corner but lost it and saw one rising by the willow which we managed to put down! Section by stile to next field - quite a few sedges seen with the odd dark olive - quite a few fish rising here but couldnt connect. Still a very pleasent evening.
Jeff & Matthew
10th June
Fished from 1730 - 1900hrs from September cottage bridge to worms wood. Sonia started in the horse field using dries but had no luck at all, not one fish rose. I resorted to a team of three nymphs all around size 18, no luck at all until under the Griffin Bridge. Hook into two of about 9in and missed a few other bites. After that nothing.
Simon & Sonia
11th June
Fished from 0800 - 0900 from Llay bridge to the bottom of the straight cut. Only one fish was seen rising in hte second run above the two bridges. Covered it with a bubble wing caddis size 16 and hooked a 1.25lb fish.
Simon
Sunny, southerly downstream breeze, air temp. 22-27C. Water temp. 17C. Slow flow, Level, bottom 0. Fished on and off from 11.30am until 7.30pm. from Llay bridge to cut. Not a sign of a fish rising, tried dry and nymph the whole of the beat without a single touch. Had a break mid afternoon and was tempted to call it a day but more out of curiosity than enthusiasm decided to stay and see if the fishing improved in the evening. It didn't, at least not before 7.30pm. Throughout the day there were no hatches and the only flies around seemed to be terrestrial. Did a water test and to keep it simple it is alkaline, fairly hard with nothing nasty so why the lack of activity is beyond me.
Allan S.
12th June
I fished from 8.30 to 10.30 started at sewage works and noticed some surface movement by water outflow point. I moved towards the 2nd weir and saw more movement. I covered the area with a parachute olive and, yes, I finally hooked a 6 incher, my first on the Alyn. Moved back down as the light faded and lots of fish rising by now at the outflow; nothing though, interested in my parachute this time. Conditions were as described in previous day's reports but a little cooler.
Dan
13th June
Fished Tuesday evening from the roadbridge upto the 1st fence. Arrived at 18:30 left at 20:30. River at "0" on the scale, but due to rain, cloudy, with some mud. Following comments on the Forum I thought I would try "the popular" part of the river. Met two fishermen from Northwich who had been on the river when the rain came & had noticed how the river coloured quickly. Odd fish were showing, but most seemed to be holding deep (ish) I had 3 fish to 3/4lb which gave me an average for the evening of 1 fish for every 8 or 9 hits - I must practice more. The fish were holding in small areas of slack water close to the left bank (as you look upsteam) & were taking a shrimp pattern. About 20:00 there was a brief period of activity were the fish were rising freely, but were small, so I did not try for them. Nice to see a good mix of fish (size wise) in the lower area of river. Looks like we a getting a healthy wild stock over the whole of our beat.
Eddie.
14th June
Have been away for the last few days, Sonia said I could have an hour on the river before dinner. Arrived at Llay Bridge around 1740, fish were rising below the bridge. Tackled up with a size 16 yellow K Hammer tied on a grub hook. Started at the foot bridge and worked my way up. 3 fish were caught before I reached the bridge; another was caught half way under the bridge. The largest was about 1lb; one had a deformed front fin. Walked up to Flame corner, fish were again rising in the next pool. I targeted the one producing the largest rises; again the fish took the fly after 3 or 4 covers, about ¾ lb. Then the rain started and the fish vanished. There were plenty of small black sedge and my first Yellow May Dun I’ve seen on our river, picture to follow.
Simon
16th June
Fished Friday Evening 16th - 8pm till 9-45pm.
No wind, beautiful evening. Fished\walked from LLay Bridge upsteam past the two bridges to the end of the field. Only saw two fish rising - fished nymphs, Olive and a GRHE. Not a touch. Around 9-30pm saw quite a few Yellow May Duns ( I know now it was a YMD because of the photo on the home page! Well done Simon) but no fish activity. Anyway it was a perfect way to wind down after a week stuck in an office.
Jef
17th June
Saturday 17th June - 10:00 - 12:00 noon
Fished downsteam from the bridge below the Griffin pub to September cottage - nothing rising & no pulls to nymphs or shrimp ? Moved down to the sewage works & went downstream to the end of the 1st field, to fish back ? Had some good pulls to the shrimp, but did not connect with any. As I was about to leave I saw a couple of rises under the trees upstream of the deep bend - had a try & caught 1 of 4 oz. Did notice just above this that a farm vehicle has crossed the river (tracks going in & out the other side) Sewage farm discharge was smelly, but not really discoloured ? Also saw a mink on the second pool up from the fence (field below sewage farm) It was doing better than me at this point as it had an eel 12" long (it stopped opposite me 6' away to have a chew on it !) & showed no fear. I watched it go into the log pile at the top of the pool.
Eddie
Fished from 1330 – 1500 from the sewage works to September cottage, the river is very low slow and coloured. No fish were seen rising at all along the whole stretch! So OK they must be feeding sub surface, set up New Zealand style with a Olive KHammer size 14 and then 3ft from that a heavy nymph. If the fish are there they are not eating nymphs, the river was dead. Not really enjoyable fishing! I managed to tempt one to take in the pool below the sewage weir, a fish about 6in on the nymph. 2 more fish were caught in a faster run 500mts above the weir, I was shocked one actually rose and took the KH! The other took the nymph again. So there you have it 3 fish but not an enjoyable fish. Please if you see the river looking milky or with foam, ring the EA you all have there number and report it, we are starting to think there is a problem with the water.
Simon
Fished from 10am. until 2pm. Water level bottom 0, slow flow and pools seemed slightly clearer than last week although still showing some colour. There were no fish showing so started on a shrimp patten fished deep, without success. Switched to GRHE nymph fished 12-18" below surface and had one take in the pool above Flame Corner which I managed to loose. Still, that was encouraging. Worked my way upstream without any further touches trying dry and nymph in both pools and fast runs. Again, there was very little ephemeral activity which I presume is why there were no fish rising. I paused for a water watch (and a pipe refill and smoke) in the two bridge field, just downstream from the seat in the quieter water. After about 10 mins. a couple of fish started rising under the trees on the opposite bank, to what I could not see as there did not appear to be any fly on the water, but they were taking off the surface as opposed to nymphing. They only rose a couple of times and by the time I had got into position, had stopped. In desperation I tied on a size 14 Tupps Ind. dry, working on the principal "give 'em something tasty". First cast to where I had seen the last rise and a strong take and a fish of around 1lb. Tried for the other but could not tempt him. I'd like to think it was the same fish. Fished for another hour or so at various spots between cut and Llay bridge to no avail. No fly life - No fish !
Allan S.
18th June
Fished this morning from 0830 – 0930, the river is the same as yesterday, no fish moving so I carried on New Zealand style. Hooked and landed a fish about 7in at Flame corner on the nymph, caught 1 more above the two bridges by the steps again on the nymph. Unless you get to the river late evening upstream nymphing seems to be the only reliable method.
Simon
22nd June
Fished with Sonia from 1700-1800, fish were rising below Llay bridge but a down stream wind made a mess of my casting, spooked 4 fish but caught the 5th on a bubble winged caddis. Sonia was having trouble also with the wind, found one fish rising above the two bridges. After many attempts to cover the fish the perfect cast, the fish took the bubble winged caddis but Sonia missed the take.
Simon.
24th June
Fished on Saturaday around 3pm and I was surprised at how bad the water looked just passed Llay road bridge, it was murky with what looked like suspended matter from the bottom to the surface; the EA were called and they came to have a look.
The fishing was slow and I didn't see anything rise until I got up to the straight cut as I worked my way up A mink came past with a mole in its mouth: finally at the top of the straight cut a fish rose, I changed from wet to dry fly working my way slowly up stream and to my delight I finally caught a rising fish to my Brown Klinkhammer. Simon caught three fish on a red KH only two of the fish were rising.
Sonia
6th July
Went o the river to cool off today for 1 hour starting at 14:30. Weather was v hot with a down stream breeze with a lot of tree leaves on the surface. Fished from the footbridge up using a size 18 olive KH. Small trout par taken level with the groyne. A trout jumped along side some weed in the centre of the river trying to catch a Damsel Fly. Covered it and caught a 1.25lb fish. Lot of trout par fled from around my feet as I made my way upstream. Covered another fish under Llay bridge after 3 or 4 casts hooked another fish around 1lb.
Simon.
8th July
Water level -1in., slow flow, 58/59F, and looking a touch cleaner than last week. Overcast, light downstream S-SW breeze, air temp.18C.
Fished from 10.30am on and off 'till 4pm. Many more fish rising than of late which was good to see, no doubt due to the fair amount of fly life about, although the majority of fish seemed to be nymphing and not interested in any of my offerings. Covered fish taking nymphs in the pool above Flame Corner with GRHE, Greenwell’s Spider, PT nymph and others down to size 18 but no takers. Fish were ignoring small olives floating on the surface. Lots of activity in the next pool upstream, again mostly nymphing with only the occasional surface rise. Fished a CDC Hares Ear right in the surface film and caught a nice fish of about 1lb. Had another take on the same fly from a heavier fish but it managed to throw the hook. The wind freshened around 1pm, the river suddenly went quiet and all the fly life disappeared. Worked my way up to the cut without seeing any more fish movement or hatches. Walking back downstream mid afternoon, I stopped at the pool where I had caught earlier and fish were rising again. It was quite well sheltered from the wind and although I spent about an hour trying various nymphs and dries, had no further success. Saw a mink with a small eel on the bank of the same pool. After my recent visits to the river, it was nice to see so much more activity. I even wondered if it had been stocked.
Allan S.
Fished today (Saturday) from 09:15 to 10:45 downstream from the Llay road bridge to the railway bridge. River was at "O" on the gauge & very dirty. All the pools were coloured, but still able with care to see the bottom. I observed a large eel by the footbridge of about 1 metre long moving downstream. I saw lots of fish rise, but not consistently. Caught 4 fish 2 on dry (size 22 parraloop in black) & 2 on upstream wet (size 16 weighted shrimp). Best fish 1/2lb (x2). Watched two fish of 1lb + cruising under the footbridge, but would take nothing & did not seem to be feeding. One of the fish caught was a parr, but caught in the fast water just under the railway bridge. The river looks like it could do with a good downpour to clean out the suspended solids that appear to be making it dirty. I would not expect these conditions until the end of August.
Eddie
9th July
Fished after the working party starting at 1pm, weather was overcast with a strong downstream wind. Set up to fish New Zealand style with a size 16 olive KH on top and a sawyer nymph 18in below. Started fishing below the footbridge hooked an 8in fish on the nymph, moved up above the footbridge, raised 1 fish to the KH but missed, work my way up to the willows. Hooked 3 fish on the nymph close to the willows. Next fish was hooked just below flame corner again on the nymph. Chatted to Ian as we worked our way upstream. Next fish was caught in the run below the straight cut on the nymph, raised another to the KH but missed. Wind was getting worse so walked back to the car. My legs were getting hot in the rubber wader so I cooled off in the Eddy pool above flame corner. A fish rose in the faster water, it would not touch a KH so I changed to a size 18 red CDC spinner. After 2 -3 casts hooked and landed a fish of about ¾ lb. left the river at 1630. 7 fish caught.
Simon
10th July
Fished from 8 – 9.Walked up to the straight cut and fished the first run below. 4 fish caught using a size 18 KH rusty red all about ¾ lb. Fished other locations on the way back down and missed a few. 1 fish caught on a size 18 red spinner in the Eddy pool above flame corner again about 3/4 lb.
Simon
11th July
Started fishing at 11:30am, had planned to start earlier but got delayed.
Conditions: Level -1", Wind West (downstream) strongish breeze, Air Temp 20C, Water Temp 59F/ 15C. Rather bright.
Fished for 3 hours 11:30am to 2:30pm. Started immediately above Llay Road Bridge (I like to start here in case I've forgotten anything, so it's only a short walk back to car). Had two small fish (about 8") on Para Grey Duster size 18 one of which was hooked on outside of mouth, plus three or four unconvincing rises. I assumed the fish were turning away from the fly at the last minute so decided on a change of tactics. Walked up past the style into Acacia tree pool in second field, tried a size 16 GHRE nymph New Zealand style about 18" below a small claret Klinkhammer (I like KH's for this as they are pretty well unsinkable). Had one small fish 8"+ in this pool plus one that came off. Walked up to run immediately above Farm Bridge and had another fish maybe 9". Crossed over and waded up close to left bank (if you class ankle deep as wading) for about 200yds without success. Waded back across and got back into field, then walked up to the pool about 100yds below gate to straight-cut (the one with the steps into the tail). Had three much better fish here two at 10" and one 11"+, also lost a good fish. Interestingly all these fish, except the largest, took the floating KH, which was not really intended to take fish. Altogether not a bad session, considering that conditions were far from ideal and at the worst time of day.
Bob Haydock
15th July
River -1", very slow and quite murky. Sunny, easterly breeze. Fished from 10.30am until 2.30pm. Very little upwinged fly life, just a few dark sedges. The only fish I saw rising were in the willow pool and quite infrequent. Tried dries and nymphs without success. Worked upstream but no sign of any other fish despite trying many likely holding places. Walked back downstream and noticed a couple of rises in the willow pool, now in full sunlight apart from the head under the far bank, on the far side of the main current. Tried a few casts with dry fly but even casting and leaving plenty of slack line, the fly started dragging after a few moments. The fish kept rising though so I switched to an unweighted GRHE nymph. A couple of casts later hooked and landed an excellent fish which fought hard, some 13" in length, very firm and full bodied. That was my only catch but it made the trip worthwhile. It was disappointing to see the river so quiet again after all the activity last weekend. Still, I seem to recall ' when the wind's from the east the fish bite the least, when the wind's from the west the fishing is best.' Can't remember the rest.
Allan S.
16th July
I fished from Llay Road Bridge up to Deep cut got 2 fish one 12ins and the other 9ins both on Bubble Caddis. I only fished dry and did not raise any other fish, I only saw 4 other fish move, I fished from 10.30am until 3.30pm. It was very hot.
Ian R
17th July
Fished from 8.30pm until 10 from Llay Road Bridge up to Flame corner. Fish rising everywhere to a huge hatch of sedge and olives. 8 fish caught in total ranging from 8 to around 12 inches. 3 taken on a size 20 Tups, 5 to a size 18 parachute Adams. River is lower and looked fairly clear. Problem, what problem? Perhaps it's just a matter of timing.
Simon W
18th July
Arrived at the river last night around 20:15,fished until 21:45. The heat very high until the sun set around 20:30. The river is very low and very slows making wading difficult. You send a pressure wave ahead of you as you walk spooking the fish. Watch this the next time you fish! Plenty of fish were rising but many spooked by my wading. I caught 5 fish in all on a size 20 olive CDC spinner. All were around 12in and in perfect condition and all caught in pools where up until last night I had seen no fish this season. Lost many more fish including 3 while talking to Simon W, all in the same run. PS. There is a shoal of salmon parr at the top of the first run above Llay Road Bridge, if you are missing takes, this is why. I’ve now caught 4 of them.
Simon
20th July
Fished from 1930 – 2130, weather still very hot with little wind. River is very slow and still not very clear. Only one other angler on the river? I had a very good two hours fishing. I missed out the first part of the river and started from the bottom of the straight cut. 1st fish caught on a bubble wing caddis size 18, best fish yet this year it weighed 1lb 9oz! A fat fish in perfect condition. Changed fly to a size 18 red KH for the faster water. The next two fish both weighed 1lb, one of them was the best fish I have ever caught on the river! Most of our fish are not marked well; this one was dark with many brown and reddish spots covering its body. Five more fish were caught ranging from 5in- 9in all on the KH. The river is fishing well between 7 – 9pm, give it a go.
Simon
22nd July
Fished from 8o'clock am until 3o'clock pm, from Llay Rd Bridge up to sewage Works only a few fish showing not a lot of action casted to 6 rises and landed 4 biggest 12ins, others 9ins, lost 2 of the hook. River still a dirty colour and not much fly life
Ian R
Fished from the Llay road bridge upstream to the sewage farm 5 fish caught 3 on dry parraloop black gnats size 22 & 2 on wet shrimp size 14 Equal distance apart on the river. Fish very easy to spook, as per Simons report even wading bow waves cause them to run for cover. 15:30 to
20:30
Eddie
23rd July
Fished from 9o'clock am until 12o'clock, fished from Sewage farm up to the Bridge past September Cottage saw 2 fish rise missed them and then landed a trout about 6ins otherwise river dead and nothing showing. Also there was no fly life at all and the river looked dead.
Ian R
Fished 1 field, down from the sewage farm, before the working party - nothing to dry, but had 2 parr coming back up on shrimp, both 2" long & lip hooked ? On the last straight before the sewage farm had what I thought was another parr just tapping. It turned out to be a good fish of over 1 lb. Reported to the EA high levels of suspended solids coming from the sewage farm over the two days, had some encouraging feedback from them.
Eddie
27th July
Fished from 7.30 to 10pm although I spent considerable time trying to see what the fish were taking. Steady risers in the deep pool by the first style and hooked but lost one fish. Caught the most peculiar fly I've ever seen - 5mm long with green wings folded back like a caddis and a deep blue head. It looked like something made up by a child. If anyone has any idea what it was I would be delighted to know. Mooched up to the straight cut and lots of very small fish rising to something but hardly to my offering. Returned and had a few casts upstream of flame corner but almost nothing showing and even the caddis were not about tonight although they may have appeared later. Caught one fish last night on a sedge and there were far fewer flies about this evening. The water was clear generally both times.
Howard
30th July
I have just returned from a bank side walk along the river Alyn downstream of the King Street Bridge in Mold. The low water has very high clarity compared with recent murky observations of our club water lower down and contains very abundant shoals of fry that may be trout and the smaller maybe even tiny grayling being chased by two bullheads. There are certainly a few trout several inches long, one immediately below the road bridge. However earlier in the year and last season I did observe slightly murky Alyn water in the Alyn Waters public park.
KENNETH J
4th Aug
Hello Simon fished on Friday 4th started at Llay Rd Bridge and fished to sewage works got ONE fish at 12ins and did not touch anything else, saw FOUR other fish rise but they were not interested in what I had on. The fish did not fight at all it just swum in, the river is still in bad condition funny kind of silt on the weeds and on the bottom, as I was wading I left footprints on the bottom and there was not much fly life as last season. I wonder if the river is safe to fish as we do not know what is causing the problems on the river. Fished 8.30 am to 15.30pm.
Ian R
5th Aug
Fished 10.30-4.00pm. Water level -2 and very slow, overcast, humid, hardly any wind. Temp.22/23C.
What should have been a perfect dry fly day did not turn out that way. Hardly any fish showing, just one or two in the willow pool nymphing, although what was hatching I could not tell as there was no visible sign of fly life at all. Tried dries and nymphs down to size 20 without so much as a sniff. Spent an hour or so just walking the river and looking.
The river bed is covered with brown algae but as this only exists in seawater I suspect it is gravel algae covered with something nasty. Gravel algae is usually associated with extra hard water and would you believe, low light levels. I don't think so, not this summer! Whatever, this should be actually good for nymphs and therefore, fly life but sadly this does not seem to be the case this year. So what's happening? I have never seen the river so devoid of ephemera at this time of year. To be discussed further in the forum.
Allan S.
9th Aug
Let’s start with the state of the river; The River is still murky; very low, slow and warm. There is still a very bad algae bloom on the bottom unless you’re in a faster section. My opinion is where there is a bloom on the bottom this is stopping the sub surface insect life hatching; therefore little fly life on the surface. Comments please? I fished yesterday from 1630 – 1800 from Llay bridge to the sewage works. Best fly yesterday was a size 14 foam beetle. This was bringing many fish to the surface even where they were not rising. In all I caught 7 fish at least another 5 got off and I missed a lot of takes. Smallest fish was around 1lb. But 2 fish were crackers, 1 weight 2lb 7oz the other 1lb 9oz! A very good end to the trip. With little fly life try terrestrials the fish seem to like these at the moment, all fish were returned. As the Heron mentioned I also have seen few on the river. The river does look bad but the fish and parr are in tip top condition. Comments please.
Simon
13th Aug
Arrived at the river at 1630, the only other angler on the river was Paul Lang who was just leaving. I started fishing above the two bridges and worked my way up to the sewage field. I missed 4 – 5 fish to a Black beetle. Managed to hook and land a cracking fish in the corn field. I saw him come up an take a size 16 olive KH, the fish was well over 1lb more like 1.5lb; fat and in perfect condition. I understand that the condition of the river is putting anglers off fishing, yes the fishing is very challenging, but the fish are there to be caught and they are big strong fish. River fishing is not like a Stillwater where the fish come to you, they have to be hunted. The fish I caught today I had missed on the last two trips to the river. They are hungry and will readily take a fly.
Simon
15th Aug
Fished in the rain for 1 hour at Llay Bridge, well you need to practice in all conditions. But even with the rain I managed to catch 2 fish on a olive KH, one just above the Bridge and the other by the first gate. Both very nice fish see below.
Simon.
Aug 22nd
Had a day off, and fished from Griffin Bridge up to the top boundary. The river looks much healthier after the rain; small olives hatching, and quite a lot were rising in the meadow above the bridge. I found these almost unapproachable, but in the woods upstream they were easier, and I ended with 8 fish: none very large, the best two about 11" each. It's been a poor season, for me at least, but I'm sure the problem is not lack of fish: although generally rises have been very poor, on a couple of occasions there have been plenty moving. I think the problem goes back to the very wet and cold May - the trout never really got into a surface-feeding habit at the time they should have.
Paul
24th Aug
Fished for a short time on the evening of 24th August and was pleased to see quite a number of fish rising, particularly where previously there seemed to be few. The river looked in good condition and a couple of other anglers agreed and caught decent fish. I got three in short time before the light dimmed and I expected sedge to appear. They didn't and I departed. One of the other anglers caught a stock fish with the adipose removed and also saw one dead fish in the straight cut which presumably was one of the stock fish. The previous day I spoke to one of our new members who said he was enjoying the fishing and catching fish. Can't be too bad then. Also report of 'visitor' with tin of maggots fishing by Chapel Cottages who was moved on. The EA were called but the lines were busy so they were informed the following day that the system is still not working. I will be informing Bangor office of this continued failure of the system.
Howard
Fished Thursday 24th September, river in lovely condition the recent rain has cleaned the gravels, fished from 18:00 – 20:30, caught half a dozen fish the biggest about ¾ of pound all on Caddis imitations, met a poacher and told him to leave, which he did, fishing with maggots and along the bottom bridge. Caught a fish without an adipose fin by the electric fence, returned all fish.
Allen.
26th Aug
Fished for a couple of hours while Sonia was having her casting lessons. Started around 0930, river just about perfect only downside was the very heavy rain showers. No other anglers were to be seen. In all 9 fish were caught, only 2 were stocked fish! All fish in the region of ½ - ¾ lb. and all taken on various dry flies no larger than size 18. Most of the fish were not rising but were tempted to the fly. The river is fishing very good and with the heavy rain is looking much healthier and cleaner.
Simon
27th Aug
Fished on Sunday 27th from Llay Rd Bridge to two bridges didn’t go any further didn't like the look of the bull in the field. Weather bit of wind and sun, river zero on scale. Fished from 9.30am until about 2'oclock got quite a few fish probably about a dozen or so but only 3 stock fish,2 small about 6ins 1 about 9ins, fish from 10ins to 16 ins all on dries. Still not a lot showing but more than a couple of weeks ago.
Ian R
29th Aug
Water temp 57F, Air temp 60F-65F, Wind W to NW gusty, V.Heavy showers.
Raining in morning so waited at home for weather to improve as per forecast. Eventually left at about 11:30 as weather had improved. Some hope! By the time I got 5 miles down the road it p....d down. Eventually got to river (Llay Road Bridge) about 12:30 and managed to get into chest waders and waterproof jacket between showers. Just as I was about to climb gate, spotted a big horrible [b]bull[/b] in field . Not feeling very brave today, I got back into car and drove to sewage works bridge (I don't mind sheep). Walked down to bottom of John Dutton's field and started to fish up from there. Fly dark grey Klinkhammer probably size 16 or 18. Just as I started it poured down again, no problem keeping myself dry, but very hard to see the fly on the water with all the raindrops. Took 3 fish in first 100 yds, two 10" stockies, one 8.5" wild fish, also lost another about 9" as I went to release it, probably also a stocked fish.
I then walked up to bottom of the long pool below sewage works (the one with the concrete slabs on right bank, now thankfully almost overgrown). Several fish were rising, the rain having stopped, these were the first rises I saw other than to my own fly. Took two smallish wild fish and lost another bigger, probably a stockie. Gusty wind made casting difficult. As it was now almost 3pm I decided to pack-up, but noticed several fish rising in the tail of the sewage outflow pool. Tried a few casts, without success, these fish seem very scary as they all very quickly stopped rising.
Overall a pleasant if rather damp couple of hours.
Bob H
3rd Sept
I persevered with a dry fly for several hours and failed to connect with numerous takes. Then I remembered the words of the famous American philosopher, Homer Simpson, 'If at first you don't succeed it's probably not worth doing anyway'. Hence, I put on a size 12 winged Greenwell and caught, and returned, a small trout on my third cast. For information, all of the above fish had an adipose fin.
Paul
5th Sept
Arrived at 18:15, water clear, with just a hint of colour. I watched several large (12” +) fish just below the downstream side of the Llay road bridge. Set up & tried to get close, but the water was shallow & I did not wade carefully enough !! Moved upstream & began too see regular rises, picked off a couple to a dark parraloop dry (size 1 before coming across the fallen tree at Flame corner. I had another 4 above it. Of the 6 fish 3 had the fin clipped (stocked fish) 3 wild, all around ¾ to 1 lb in weight.
Found the fishing far to easy, there seem to be far too many fish in the river ( never thought I would ever say this), so packed up at 19:00. Met another angler who had been fishing downstream of the bridge & he complained that he had only caught small fish (not just today, but all season). Just goes to show that we all see thing differently.
This was my first trip where the fish were too obliging, but I did enjoy the dry fly fishing. Unusual for me, but I did take one fish & when I checked the contents it was interesting – It was eating anything that came past !!! small beetles, large flies (looked like a Hawthorn fly !), small black gnats, even some snails, but no shrimps !!
Eddie.
8th Sept
Fished from Llay road bridge up to the straight cut, caught half a dozen trout on 2 hours, the biggest being a pound, all caught on Rhyacophyla Nymphs. I tied them myself of course, but if you wanted to purchase some http://shop.siman.cz/index.html?pod=/fly1x0.htm They are good on the Welsh Dee as well.
Allen.
Fished 6pm to 8pm - walked & fished from Llay road bridge to end of straight cut - few fish rising - lots of olives out early on. Used a size 16 grey para - couldnt tempt one. Returned to Flame Corner about 7-30 when my luck changed. A BIG THANK YOU to the Member who came over to me for a chat - he had caught 3 fish by the bridge on a Daddy Long Legs. I thought what the hell - and tied on the biggest Daddy in my box!!!
Then proceeded to catch TWO FISH on the first two casts with it!!! Although only 6ins apiece with their fins intact I left the river a happy man !! Fine sunny evening - water level 0 Might try the Daddy again soon!!
Jeff
9th Sept
Arrived at the river 10am left 12:30. Fished from the Llay road bridge to the top of the new cut. Caught 10 fish from 2" long salmon parr to 3/4 lb wild brown (two fish with fin removed). Fished a 2 fly cast - size 16 parraloop on top with a size 14 Dawl Bach below. Most fish were caught on the dry (two best to the wet). Started catching at flame corner & my last one came from the fast water at the start of the new cut. Found out later as I walked back thar the dry fly had looped itself into a knot & although fish came up to it, would not take (must check flies more often !!!).
A good mornings fishing, did not see anyone else, apart from the wind (caused a few problems with casting) almost perfect fishing conditions. The water was clear for most of the river, just a bit cloudy in the deeper pools. Fish could be seen from the bank & were taking fly off the top (same as last week - anything that landed, so were not particular with my imitation). Still feel that we have too many fish in the river to be supported over the winter ?
Eddie
10th Sept
A familiar pattern is starting to emerge here. After failing to connect with a dry fly, I caught and returned 2 small trout on my reliable Greenwell.
Paul
Back from hoilday last night, missed fishing the river for the last week. Fished from 9am untill 11am. weather cool but clear, no other angler on the river untill I bump into Dave at 11 asking where the working party where? No tea today Dave. I caught 11 fish in all using various dry flies. KHammers; Caddis; Beatle ect. Only one was a stocked fish! One perfect specimen about 1.25 lbs with 3 bright red spots on its adipose fin.
Simon
Found a bit of free time Sunday evening to go to the river. Fished from 18:40 to dusk. Started at sewage works where there were frequent rises, started with grey duster then bloodworm but just managed to put fish down. Moved to straight cut and after witnessing the some daddy long legs in my back garden earlier in the day decided to try and tempt the fish rising at the top of the cut. In all the daddy accounted for 4 good, fast rises, resulting in two hooked fish, but only one, about 6-8 inches and fin perfect, brough to hand. Switched to a Greenwells Glory and had more three more rises and one hooked fish which managed to free itself just before landing. Got into a personal duel with the fish that kept shaking the hook, which felt like a decent fish, but ultimately the fish won! The lack of practice on the the river this season showed with missed takes and lost fish but at least I must have been doing something right to tempt them in the first place?! If this is my last trip to the river this season I will be happy. The river looked in good condition in the stretch that I fished.
Derek.
I initially tried to catch a fish on a dry fly and failed to connect with several good takes. The Greenwell went back on and I caught a nice trout of 12". This fish went home with me for supper.
Paul
17th Sept
Fished from 16.00 up until about 19.30. My approach today was with a new fly that resembles a bull head, tied on a size 10 hook with a rabbit zonker strip a deer hair head to resemble the bullhead and a gold cone head. The fly is weighted with lead. This fly is about 2” long with the zonker strip attached. I pulled this fly through all the pools and contacted fish in every pool and deep run, to just past the straight cut. I do not know how many fish I caught but it was in double figures. A lot of fish grabbed the tail of the fly and then let go, one fish which grabbed the fly was around the 2 lb mark The biggest was fish caught was wild about 1.5 lb. This made for very exciting fishing, eventually the fly broke off. If the fly tying day could be arranged for the winter months I would be happy to demonstrate the pattern.
Allen
18th Sept
Fished with Sonia today for a couple of hours up to 1200. Sonia started at the straight cut I started from Llay bridge. After having some casting lessons, Sonia practiced what she had learnt for the first hour then fished for for the next. She caught 4 fish all to a bubble wing caddis above the straight cut. I had a hard time today, only managed to hook two fish, both to a size 20 GRHE with a CDC wing to keep it in the surface film. I'll have to start taking lessons from Sonia soon.
Simon & Sonia
20th Sept
Fished from 16.00 – 19.45. Fished the sculpin pattern again; there are some big fish in the river. Caught a 2lb Brown trout fin perfect and a lovely orangey dark brown colour, full of black spots, shame I did not have my camera. Another two 2lb fish came chasing after the fly one stopped about 3 feet from my leg as he turned back into the pool. On my return to the car I had another go at him and missed the take, the tail on the fly is about 1 1/2” long and they sometimes grab this and miss the hook. In my estimation there are about 6 fish I have seen to 1 ½ lb and definitely three 2 lb fish in the river. After catching about 20 fish ever the last week (6 hours fishing) I took one stock fish home for my mother. All the big fish have been returned to fight another day. I shall take a photograph of the fly with a description on tying and post to Simon; you will not be disappointed with the results whilst fishing it. The smell of detergent I reported some time back is not detergent but snap dragons, them pink flowers all along the river, “they do stink!!” We also have a crop of tomatoes growing on the river bank, picked three for tea, 2 are still green and ripening on my window sill.
Allen.
22nd Sept
15:30 to 18:30 fished the river between the Burton stretch (the house by the footbridge) and for a mile upstream. Two Brownies 12 inches and 5 inches with clipped adipose fin, both in great condition for time of year & both caught on a small (size14) Tups Indispensable, tried various fly’s and had a take or three on a PTN New Zealand style from a Klinkhammer. River was running fairly clear and fish were rising to various surface tit-bits including Daddies but not leaves.Getting to know the runs and pools for next season.
Kevin Wilkinson (new member)
Conditions - Water temp 54F(12C), Air temp 19C, Wind South light breeze.Arrived Llay Road bridge about 12:30, decided to fish short section immediately below bridge. I don't often fish this section, but I wished to stay near to car so that I could go back for a sandwich after about an hour. Got into river immediately below footbridge on RH bank and waded carefully across to other side (you need to wade very carefully on this stretch as in low water the flow is almost non-existent and it's too easy to create ripples and spook the fish). Had three fish in the first 30 yds or so, 8" wild fish a medium size stockie and a beautiful 11.5"+ wild fish as well as 3 or four missed takes, all on a size 16 para Grey Duster.The larger wild fish was probably the nicest I have seen on our river, not for size but for the lovely condition, big orange spots and a fine tail.After sandwich and coffee, walked up to the second field and got into the tail of the acacia tree pool using the steps. Had no offers initially, so changed to a New Zealand style setup, with a GHRE nymph about 18" under a small (16 or 18) claret KH. Over the next hour or so, I had four nice fish (all wild) in 9" to 10" range plus many missed takes / lost fish, all except one to the KH. No idea of course if the missed / lost fish were wild or stockies.Packed up just after 3 pm, altogether a very pleasant couple of hours fishing.
Bob H.
Managed to get a few hours on the river today around 1500hrs, after the strong wind of this week another large tree is down in the first pool above Flame corner. Even in the summer months the river changes. Sonia caught a cracking fish around 1.5 lb and lost another about the same, both were taken on a rusty KM size 18. I managed to tempt 2 on a Bubble winged caddis. I then did somthing I very seldom do, I put on two nymphs and fished them up stream. 8 more fish were caught with this method including the smallest salmon par ever, about 1/2 inch this must have hatched this year, I caught it in the first run in the straight cut.
Simon & Sonia.
25th Sept
As Simon was having to travel to Bristol for work it seemed a good idea to have a couple of hours fishing to start the day in a relaxed way. Simon started at the bridge where he put every fish down; while I started at flame corner. I started with bubble winged caddis as the fish were rising freely, but there were no takers, after changing fly I noticed that whatever they were taking they seemed to be hammering it, they were savage takes; so I decided to try a beetle. The first cast surprised me as it was a solid take and the fish definitely wanted the fly" I hope a beetle is classed as a fly?". It was a beautiful trout of about a pound and was stunning. I caught another two trout it the same place and missed a few by not having my mind fully on the fishing but on bird watching instead. Simon went further upstream where he ended up catching a total of seven fish, again on a beetle. The river was looking wonderful and once again it was a pleasure to be fishing the Alyn.
Sonia
26th Sept
Warm sunny, water very slightly coloured. Fished from 15:00 to 16:30 down stream of Llay footbridge from weir up, caught and returned three brownies 6in & 13in stocked fish plus 8in wild. All caught on a pale stone KH size 16. The end of the season is nearly with us, so packing in as many sessions as possible.
Kevin
Sonia 2 Simon 0! Managed 1 hours fishing from 5 - 6. Again the beetle pattern was the one to use. Simon was using one with no peacock herl underneath and caught zero, mine had a wrap of herl which seemed to make the difference. Again an enjoyable hour on the river.
Sonia.
27th Sept
Again another hour grabbed on the river. Sonia is now getting very competitive! After the first 40min she was 3 fish up, again on her beetle. I let her try in a run where I could not tempt a single trout. First cast trout on. Is it luck or skill? I think she is learning very quickly! I manage to salvage some respect by catching 1 of about 1lb on a size 18 KH tied on a grub hook.
Simon.
29th Sept
Fished the river on Friday night (29th) for 3/4 hour from 6.45pm from just past Flame Corner where the faster water begins up to the next corner along the by the wall where the first gate is. A number of fish were rising to a sedge hatch, one fish taken in the first pool just above the faster water and two more from along the wall. All three were taken on a size 18 F fly and all were in excellent condition and not stocked fish with the best being around 13 inches. Simon Wise Fished from the Llay road bridge upstream as far as the two bridges, from 09:00 to 10:45 (ish). Caught 10 fish - 1 parr & nine browns averaging 1/2lb each. As it was quite cold & windy I fished a wet daddy with a shrimp
below, 9 came to the shrimp ! I tended to fish the fast water stretches on the way up. Only fished one pool on the way back & as I was leaving there was the start of a rise & fish started moving in the pools. A very good season, with plenty of quality fish caught, mostly to the shrimp this season, but a couple of excellent days on the dry. I just hope that next season continues the same & I get more time to fish the river.
Eddy
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