Feedback & Reports

It's a beautiful river, but I could tell something wasn't quite right from the outset. All the fish I caught and saw were in the same age class (8-10 inches) and there didn't seem to be nearly as many fish as the habitat and abundant flylife merited. Only towards the end of the session did I learn from a local man that there had been a major pollution incident in 2016 , that wiped out most of the fish in the river.

To judge by the number and variety of river flies, the Llyfni is recovering well. But I would leave it another couple of years before fishing here again. I feel the Foundation should warn anglers if a river is in recovery, so that we can make a better-informed decision about where to fish.

All the trout I caught came to a small duck's dun. Because they were few and far between, each one required quite a bit of walking, waiting and watching.

10 Trout

Two fish in the morning and the rest once it warmed a bit in the afternoon. Switched methods a lot between dry to high sticking a team on the deeper runs. Most fish caught to Iron Blue Dun or a Para Adams. Trout were between 8”-12” and one Grayling was 14”. The water was coloured up a bit and that definitely helped. Cracking day.

13 Trout, 2 Grayling

First time on this beat, and a real challenge. A real mix of water with slow glides and some fast riffles, and some very deep holes ! Trees overhang most of the beat, so a small rod is needed to make the most of the water; and a good place to practice your roll-casting and casting sideways under foliage.
Fished upstream from the bottom of the beat. Had nothing at all trying nymphs and wets - no nips no tugs - nothing. Nothing rising so persevered with nymphs until the afternoon, and suspected a blank. Then spotted rises in a most unlikely looking slow and shallow run towards the top of the beat. Lost lots ! - but managed to secure 2 lean but healthy trout with an olive CDC emerger (sz.16) - both returned safely.
There are some really nice spots on this stretch, and I'll certainly try again.

2 Trout

Perfect day on the llynfi. Lovely seeing a resident otter run along the far bank. First fish around 1lb, although still a little thin after the winter. A few fish around 6” followed along with a cracking oos grayling close to 2lb ending the afternoon. Unfortunately came across two guys spinning as I was leaving. They didn’t want to leave when I mentioned it was fly only..

5 Trout, 1 Grayling

First trip this year, I knew the Llynfi would be running high from the Natural Resources Wales website but it was a lovely day after the sun had warmed the initial mist away. River was high and a light amber colour, looking in good shape. There were even some olives hatching about the middle of the day, but I saw only 1 small fish jumping after a fly. I tried hard for a few hours , using deep bugs, nymphs, shrimp and even a dry fly but neither saw or touched anything. Also had to work hard in the current, wading staff essential!! Still very enjoyable to be out and about again...

Fished hard, and threw everything at today - k&d, frnech nymph, indicator, dry, but nothing drew a fish. No takes, didn't see any rises, didn't see any fish. Have eked a few fish from this beat previously, but for such a good looking stretch of river, really surprised that more fish haven't been caught. Disappointing return every time visiting the beat, where other WUF beats have been much more productive.

Failed to catch today although river looked much better than yesterday. Tried a variety of Nymphs and various techniques,
felt I fished better than yesterday.

River slightly coloured, a little high and only made contact with one out of season brown trout. Lovely condition.

1 Trout

River high and murky so fished the quieter margins where possible. One Grayling played and lost in 1st pool above road bridge - a nice end to a wet and windy day! Hooked on bead head nymph swung into quieter ebb from main flow.

Top of beat was very heavy going with brambles and branches blocking access - but lower part near road bridge is excellent. Will definitely have another go here when waters lower and clearer.

2 Grayling 6 and 10 inches on a pink shrimp.
A small hatch of olives around 13.00 brought a few fish to the surface.
A few Salmon Redds seen.

2 Grayling