FISHERY NOTES

Warning
Beware of the overhead cables especially towards the tail of the Lower Garden pool
Peter Jones from Cothi Lodge has a lifetime non-transferable rod on the river, until his recent stroke he usually only fished two or three days a season and then only when the chances were particularly good!
The owners reserve the right to fish 2 rods at all times however this right is seldom excercised when there is a full book of rods
These notes are only intended to point fisherman in the right direction and should not be taken as definitive. If you find new pools, lies or runs please make a note on the catch return noting the method of capture plus the height and clarity of the water.
The left hand bank is the left hand bank looking downstream!

BEAT 1
The top of the beat is reached by taking the track opposite the main Edwinsford hamlet front drive. All cars except those with very low clearance should cope with the track without problems. Please take care to close all gates as there are usually sheep and cattle in these fields. Go through the second gate and continue for about 600 yards until you reach the next gate where you can pull off the track and park. Continue along the track passing a barn on the left, through another gate and across the next field - there is a style about 30 yards up the hedge from the corner by the river. Follow the river upstream (or cut accross the field toward the electricity post) until you reach the weir which is the top the fishery .
Do not be frightened by the cattle which are not dangerous although they may be attracted by dogs which are not under control!
The Weir Pool (1). This pool fishes well in all heights of water, fish lie in the fast water below the weir continuing for about 25 yards downstream from the weir before it becomes very shallow. Having said that, fish may lie anywhere just below the weir itsef. Try to wade accross to the far bank 60 yards below the weir as the pool fishes better from that side.
Disregard the next run (except in very high water) until about 25 yards before the Junction Pool (2). Fish the stream against the far bank which fishes the fly particularly well, in high water fish tend to lie on the ridge down the middle of the run into the pool. When you reach the pool itself make sure that you cover the far corner where a small tributary joins the main river.
The Junction Pool then gives way to a lovely glide known as Betsy (3), salmon lie between the boulders in the first third while the bottom section until 40 yards above the ford is a good spot for sewin. This is good fly water but an upstream Mepps works very well in higher water. Make sure that the fly is swimming well in the far third of the river, you will need to keep your rod tip high to avoid having the fly snatched across the current.
Below the ford is a glide which usually only holds small brownies, by following the near gravel bank downstream you can wade to the left hand bank, then fish Alecs (4) the run against the right bank below a post in the river followed by a short run below the stree stump 30 yards below. In high water cover the backwater caused by a stream on the left bank. Then cross the river to fish under the trees on the left bank - The Briars (5), often a good spot just before dark. After the trees end on the far bank cross over again to the left hand bank and 150 below you will be able to cover Abernant (6). Sewin will lie almost anywhere under the willow during daylight but come out into the stream in the half light and in high water. In higher water fish the stream just downstream from the gate, salmon sometimes rest by some larger boulders in this run, look for the tuft of grass 25 yards below the gate.
New Pool (7) has appeared after the 2000 floods. A number of fish have been hooked in tail of the V but none have been landed yet! After this pool wade back onto the right bank.
Abercrymlin (8) is the next named pool just after the bend of the river, although difficult to fish because of overhanging branches it almost always holds a sewin and often a salmon too. Although most productive from the bend down to the big stone do not disregard the tail, especially in high water, continue fishing for 30/40 yards below the second overhanging tree. This gives way to shallow run leading down to Dolbont which should be fished as 2 separate pools.
Upper Dolbont (9) - Get into the water about 25 yards above the neck and wade down as far as you can - once the water starts to deepen you must retrace your steps as there is a deep hole in front of you. Make sure that you fish the ledge about 5 yards out from the far bank and right into the near bank where there is a deep backwater which often holds a good sewin by the large boulders. A sinking line has been known to tempt fish in the neck of lower part - but fished from well above, let the fly hang right in to the rocky ledge on the left.
Lower Dolbont (10) - To fish the main pool, fish down and across in decent water or even try loch style fishing upstream if the water is low. This is a very deep pool at the head which always holds some of the biggest sewin and salmon although the salmon are difficult to tempt. One of the main lies is 4/5 yards off the ash tree on the far bank 15 yards or so below the neck. If fished in daytime make sure that you keep below the horizon (the sun is right in the morning) or the fish will see you before you start fishing, this is one of the most productive pools for night fishing. Be careful wading amongst the "islands" at the head but they do give valuable cover.

THE HOME BEAT
Start at Nikos (11) (just upstream from the second fence on the other side of the road) a new pool in 1999. In high water fish lie on the far side of the river in last 25 yards of the run above the rocks or just on the lip of the weir. Curries (12) has developed quite a hole below the weir and a channel for about 40 yards, try to fish the quieter water against the far bank, fish are caught off and up to 10 yards below the dead tree on the left bank and also in the main stream mainly just where the main current drops off below the weir. This has become the most productive salmon pool on our beats as well as producing a good number of sewin, salmon tend to take right against the near bank about 35 yards below the rocks.
Disregard the next section until about 80 yards above the bridge, this is only worth fishing in good water although there is a deep hole below a groin on the near bank - known as Iron Bridge (13).
Drop down over the stone blocks above the bridge and have a flicks in the run on the far bank just above the bridge in high water, then wade under the bridge.

Below the road bridge is The Sheep Dip (14) which can also be reached by following the north bank from the old grassed bridge by the hamlet - please follow the tunnel through the rhodendrons rather than crossing the lawn. The stream against the far bank is surprisingly deep and should be fished as slowly as possible. The salmon lie is just below the foundations of the old road bridge with sewin lying anywhere down to the tail, in high water fish right into the "V" at the tail where the stream from Talley Lakes enters the river. This pool has been very productive since branches have been cleared and rewards accurate casting under the trees on the far bank.
You are now at The Black Pool (15), the stream into the pool is fished conventionally but sewin can lie anywhere in this pool, sometimes pointing downstream in the back eddies, particularly at night. During the day fish will tend to lie in the stream on the near side of the gravel or against the rock face on the far bank right down into the tail, make sure that you cast right into the inlets which are often productive. This stream and the main pool can also be fished upstream or loch style. There is a shallow area towards the far side of the pool (will show out of the water when river is low) which should always be covered at night or in high water before wading is attempted. This is one of the main holding pools which should be left undisturbed in late afternoon if you intend to fish at night. Take care if wading deep as the gravel has a habit of giving way if the water is near the top of your waders! Fish right down to the tail.
Wade diagonally across to the far bank below the tail, in high water it may be worth a few quick flicks under the trees on the north bank on your way down to The Upper Garden (16). Fish the main stream first but make sure that you cover the slack water on the far side of the stream keeping the rod tip high, lead your line right into the near bank - again be careful wading as the gravel suddenly slopes into 8 feet of water. Salmon will tend to lie in the streamy water just out from the willows while sewin may be anywhere - against "the wall" below the grassy tump and under the rhododendrons are hot spots at night, the quieter water can be fished upstream lochstyle. Sewin also take under the trees above the main pool and right in the far corner of the main pool at night. Surface lures work well in this pool at night.
At the tail wade diagonally across towards the Yew tree fishing the stream under the bushes on the left bank and along the foundation of the bridge. This is then fished right down into and through The Lower Garden (17). Can be a disappointment but salmon can lie by the boulders and rocky ledge just below the bridge where they can be seen in low water. There is also a salmon lie alongside a large rock only 2 yards below the bridge and 5 yards out from the right bank. Sewin will lurk under the bank on the mansion side until the water shallows. Fish right down into the "V" in good water - in high water cast across to the rocks along the edge of the lawn, fish make their way up that side and stop by the bush at the fenceline.
You can either wade across the river or go across the bridge to make your way downstream on the left bank, in high water the run between Lower Garden and Williams often produces a fish but seldom in low water.

BEAT 3
Williams (18) (a new pool in 1999) has been productive already and is the pool above the weir. Fish hang about along the bank on the hamlet side in high water. The stream below has been named Matthews (19) after Matthew Halnan who caught the first fish in the tail of the stream in medium water. Sequently a number of fish of over four pounds have been caught there and it has now become one of the the most productive pools - start fishing above the weir, then get in below the rocks on the left hand bank wading back up to the rocks, once the main stream has been covered wade into mid stream to cover the current past the large boulder in the bank - make sure that you also cover the slack water in the main pool as sewin often lie there. In high water the 2 croys below are worth fishing. This is Rhydedwin Run (20) which will hold salmon anywhere in good water. The last croy has been a source of amazement and has recently been named "Merediths" (21) with a number of good sized sewin being caught at night in low water around the large stone.
You then reach The Corner Pool (22). Fish are rarely caught in the corner itself except in very low water but usually in the two runs below, Upper (23) and Lower Moelfre (24). The runs have a series of large rocks down the far stream right down towards the shallow tail under the trees. Note the boil in the lower section (Vicars Rock) which is a regular salmon lie. Try to almost hit the far bank with the longest diagonal cast possible, mend almost before your line hits the water and try to hang the fly in the current for as long as possible. Sea trout tend to be caught in the faster water in the V at the head of the lower section. As with most pools on the Cothi an upstream Mepps will work very well in all but the fastest water.very high water) - Upper Croy (25) and Lower Croy (26), While the gorse offers some cover you must keep off the skyline here.
Then follow the bank down to the next obvious neck in the river which is the beginning of Upper Brynabon (27), one of the better pools, particularly since being improved in 2003. Fish the bit from the neck to where it shallows very carefully as it is a extremely productive stretch - fish often lie by the huge rock at the neck and in the stream but move out into the pool at night. You can then fish Lower Brynabon (28) (fish it like the Moelfres) right down to the end of the trees on the far bank. About 50 yards lower down you can wade across the river if you are also fishing Beat 4.

BEAT 4
Walk down the bank to The Oak Pool (29) in the corner, this is a very attractive piece of water which needs to be fished from the neck to the tail, salmon tend to be in the top third, with sewin in the quieter water below, the water is deceptively deep in the fast current - in high water fish lie back towards the tail and especially in the V just out from the groin. You can wade along the gravel on the near bank crossing over at the tail (if the water is too high, walk down to bridge which is only 2 minutes walk). Several fish have been heard in the open part of the pool at night where it is quite easy to fish.
The Willows (30) , which you have now reached, is a good high water pool, probably because fish cannot stand the current in the Oak Pool itself when the current is strong - even in lower water there are usually a number of fish under the trees which are now much easier to cover, there is a good spot towards the tail where the current kicks off the far bank. You will need to wade back onto the right hand bank to fish Gordons effectively.
Gordons (31) ,(just above bridge) has been named after Peter Gordon who caught 5 sewin on a goldhead (best just over 4lbs) from this run between the Willows and the bridge in June 1999 - and has subsequently proved its worth! The current runs into a narrow channel against the far bank, try to hang your fly in the current as long as possible by casting a longish diagonal line and keep down as low as possible.
The river is now mainly wooded on both banks and it is necessary to get into the river to have a chance of covering the water properly in most places. There are too many streamy runs to mention, usually with a rock ledge along one of the banks against or under which fish will lie. Chest waders are handy in this section as they will allow you to wade down most of the river except in the highest water when this stretch can only be fished from the bank. It is usually quite easy to cross the river immediately above each of the new structures below the Oak.
The Cut (32) is obviously deeper, followed by The Canal (33) and then Upper Brocen (new) (34) which runs into Doris Pool (35) opposite a small stream entering from the left bank, If you find it too deep to wade there is a blue rope to help you up the right hand bank. From the new Lower Brocken (36) pool (you can wade round the side of the rocks but be careful as there is fair drop below the rocky ledge) the river leads into a long pool which needs a name too. The tail above the The Cliff (37) weir is very inviting and there is an 18 inch undercut in the rock face on the far bank for at least 20 yards above the weir. The run below the weir holds fish against the far bank which can be fished nicely from just above the weir. The next section is not much fished until the run into Upper Hippies which needs to be fished from the left hand bank, a number of fish have been seen in the glide above the rocks against the right bank. The gateway where the river comes right back to the track marks the bottom of this beat.

BEAT 5
Below the gateway above Chubbs bridge you have about three quarters of a mile of fishing until the gate where the river again comes back to the track at the bottom of the meadow. apart from some shallow patches it is mostly fishable, again you need to get into the river to fish most of it effectively.
Cross the bridge and walk upstream on the far bank from which you can enter the river below Upper Hippies (the fitter can also get down the bank from the right bank). Lower Hippies has deepened significantly in the last 3 years and gives way to a run above Chubbs where fish often stop in higher water, but it is always worth a few flicks under the right bank. Upper Cwm and Lower Cwm are both new and look promising, spend time in the runs under the wood on the far side below the bridge - Cilyllyn has a gravel beach on the north bank. The 3 Meadow pools are new and have added extra depth to this section - one tenant had his rod broken by a large sewin or salmon above one of the weirs in 2000, there is a particularly good spot just below a stream which comes in from the far bank with a tree in the river which has scoured out a deeper run.
The new Tommy's pool below the gate has added an extra 18" to the run into Gate Pool which often holds fish - cast from the gravel on the far bank and try to hang your fly in the current against the right bank for as long as possible, a hot spot is just above the tiny stream which enters the river from under the track on the right bank.

BEAT 6
Lower Gate, fished from the far bank if possible, often holds a salmon later in the season and nearly always a sewin or two, you are now back in the trees so you should stay in the river where possible. Tommys has developed very well and needs to be fished from the left (far) bank, fish tend to lie against the right bank and towards the middle of the stream. At the tail wade across to the right side as this becomes Cwmgwlaw Run, a long rocky ledge running down the left bank which often holds sewin and also salmon if they are in (deceptively deep) Keep in the water and wade down to down to Upper Cwm Seiri (modified in 2000) - this is the owner's most productive pool and produced a near 20lb salmon on an 11' single handed rod on October 17th 2005 and several in 2006, also a 17/18lb salmon which took me for a swim in Aug 2007! Fish the stream from above the rocks making sure you cover the the water well against the far bank, climb over the rocks and fish from the ledge on the right hand side but don't step off the ledge as it is very deep in the middle! In higher water let your fly come right into the near bank as fish sometimes (the 20 pounder) take on the dangle. Its probably best to wade on down the middle (shallowest) to Lower Cwm Seiri (moved in 2004) which has been combined with the Bath Tub, a deeper pool immediately below a stream entering by a small fall from the far bank - this has much improved and is now producing fish in all heights, although the left hand side looks to be the obvious stream it is best fished from that side as the deeper water is against the right hand bank. Don't leave out the run against the far bank just above the rocks at Cwm Cwta (improved) which are both fished from the right bank. The river then deepens a little into a gutter against the far bank called Jones' which goes all the way under the bridge to the Stump. If spinning try fishing Jones' upstream. The new pool, The Stump has created much deeper water all the way down from the tail of Jones' and fishes well from the far side now that the river can be crossed by the new lower bridge only worth spending time there in high water .- one of the local farmers tells me that it used to be a deep pool and was a favourite haunt of poachers - its Welsh name was Llyn Graig Felen (Yellow Rock Pool). I look forward to seeing gold bearing rock before too long! In high water also cover the "corner" above the rocks on the left bank, fish sometimes stop here after running the weir. I now tend to fish Beat 6 more than any other except in very high water, the pools are intimate and with so many very dark ledges the fish can easily hide. Our water used to finish at the gate 60 yards below The Stump weir but you now have over a mile of fishing in front of you!

BEATS 7 & 8 - purchased in March 2006.(notes on these pools will be improved as I get to know the water better)
These beats start below The Stump and we have made 3 pools in the top section in the last 2 days of August 2006. (brown rocks as opposed to grey rocks in the section above) The first Lower Stump has backed up nicely and we suspect that the deeper water above the rocks will hold fish at night and in higher water, later when it has scoured out more gravel fish will hold in the faster water below. Below the fast water Rees's, is quite a deep run against the near bank.Two further new pools, Upper (61) and Lower Ty Mawr (62) add interest to the next section. Upper Ty Mawr should be fished from the right hand bank but wade across above Lower Ty Mawr which is fished from the other side (produced a salmon within 4 days of construction!) and another since, fish the stream against the right hand bank until the current runs out - then you come to the Cathedral (63), a gentle curving pool with deeper water against the far bank - this is a high water pool when you can wade down the shallow water on the near side.
Listen out for a large stream that enters from the far side - fish sometimes hang aroung above and below this stream, technically the next 250 yards can be fished by the owner of the far bank although in practice this very rarely happens. 30 yards or so below the stream is the begining of The Duckwood Runs where sewin lie against a ledge running down the far side and amongst the large boulders - keep fishing right into the tail where the faster water runs into The Duckwood (64) pool itself. This is one of the most productive pools on the beat, cast into the small bay under the trees on the far bank.
After the next really fast water you reach The Upper Withy (65) which leads into the very narrow Withy Run (66) (the wooden walkway is your marker for this pool) eventually opening out into the main Withy (67) pool - fish often lie alongside the 2 flat rock on the far side of the stream or anywhere down the pool in the deeper water which is another hotspot. Make sure that you fish right into the fat water, it was on the lip that I had a 14/15lb sewin on 29th June 2008.
Then after the next white water follow Upper Steps, Middle Steps and Lower Steps (all 68) (in fact more than 3 so I don't know which is which!) which can all hold sewin, one of which broke Andrew Coetzee's rod in July 06! These runs eventually lead into The Round Pool (69) which holds sewin and salmon when they are in - let your fly or lure come right into the near side but try to hang it in the current against the far rock face.
The Rock Pool (70) is an obvious feature with the only significant rocky mounds on the near bank - unfortunately there is a snag in the pool that we have been unable to remove. The tail runs into a narrow stream which then opens out into the Lower Rock Pool, unless the river is in full spate you can carefully wade along a narrow ledge on the near bank - you can stay in the river until you reach "the Favourite", see below.
Your next marker will be a stream entering from the far bank which is known as The Falls (71), the main taking area being around 30 yards below the stream against the far bank.
From where the wood ends on the far bank we only have the fishing rights on the near bank until the gate into a field - do not fish below this point. You will see 2 ladders on the far bank leading down to a pool called The Favourite (72). Salmon tend to lie in the faster water towards the neck and sewin about half way down the pool against the far bank. If wading from above you won't be able to wade right along the right hand side at the top end - get out and walk down the track until you see a path to the tail pool, if low water keep low on the horizon or you will be seen.

As I get to know this stretch better these notes will be improved and I will value any comments or information which may assist other fishermen. One thing is certain, with so many narrow streams you must be accurate with your casting and try to keep the fly or lure in the current for as long as possible - a long diagonal cast will usually be far more appropriate than a square cast when the fly will whip across the current too quickly.We have already realised that these beats are very useful in low water due to their streamy nature, by nature sewin tend to prefer slower water than salmon but they also feel safer in faster (preferably broken) water where flashy flies (including goldheads) can persuade them to snatch at the fly.

During daylight hours always be aware of your position against the skyline and be ready to follow a fish as they are often known to make for a larger pool if hooked in the narrows.

This is a very beautiful and significant addition to The Edwinsford Fishery especially for fishing in low water - also The Black Lion in Abergorlech is not far from The Favourite!

 

Beats 4, 5 and 6 were fished very little in the past because they were less accessible and had fewer holding pools. Particularly on brighter days there is no doubt that these and 7 & 8 will offer the best chance of a fish during daylight and are worthy of more exploration. Take a small rod and plenty of flies! Several places will suit the worm on this section but please check that no-one is following you with the fly if you intend to use this method. Any hints on fishing the new pools will be very useful. In running water my experience on other rivers tells me that fish are usually to be caught directly above a weir - even right on the lip - as they often hang about after having run the weir - when the river drops fish will favour the faster water below the structure - sewin often take at the point where the obvious current disappears.

Waders. The top 3 beats can easily be fished with thigh waders unless the water is very high although chest waders are useful for the Upper Garden. Chest waders are ideal for the rest of the beats, in low water waist waders will almost suffice but you will have to leave the river at some points where the water is deeper.

Rods. An 10 or 11' single handed rod is ideal for the open stretches while a 9' or smaller is easier to handle on the wooded beats. In low water a 6 weight line is ideal but you can get away with 8 or more if the river is high with some colour.

Flies. Cascade & Shrimp flies in different sizes and formats work well for salmon, For sea trout black flies with silver (stoats tail) work well as do blue and silver colours in double, Waddington and Tube format, try Silver Badger, Blue Charm in tandem format. Small Bloody Butchers, Black Pennel, Silver Stoat Tail and Alexandras have caught a lot of fish in all conditions, often on a dropper. Using a dropper is not recommended in the wooded sections but can be effective in the deeper holding pools, try a traditional sea-trout fly, or even a muddler) or surface lure (mouse type lures work very well at night) on the dropper and a small salmon double on the point, upstream GREH Goldheads have worked very well in broken water. If fishing at night use larger Surface Lures, Waddingtons or tubes as the night wears on - although 1 1/4" usually seems to be ideal, it is very important to try all manner of sizes, depths and rate of retrieve if the first offering is not successful. My general rule is to err on the small side during the day and the large side in the dark although I am frequently proved wrong!

Lines. Remember how important it is to get down to the fish - we have found that the sink tip or intermediate line has often been more productive that the floater, particularly in the faster streams - in many places the main current is not very wide or right against a rock face on the far bank so it is important to get the fly working straight away. Even sinking lines work when the river is in flood or in the deeper pools and in the faster gutters or at night. In slower water work the fly at different speeds until you find what turns them on that particular day or night! If you use a sink tip or intermediate you should reduce the length of your leader to no more than 6 feet (less if the water is coloured) otherwise the effect of the sinking line will be lost. In very low water use the longest leader that you can handle but no less than 10ft off a floater and no more than 6lb breaking strain in daylight if the water is clear or 10lb at night.

Spinning. Although I am quite a fly fishing purist I have enjoyed the challenge of spinning since we purchased Edwinsford. On a small river accuracy is paramount along with ability to judge the pace of the river - too slow a retrieve will lack life or catch a snag, too fast and the spinner will not appeal. When spinning all sizes of Gold Mepps with red spots and Quill Minnows work well, in high water a Toby, Flying C (red and gold or natural and gold) and Rappalas are successful as are green Irish Minnows. Most lures fish more effectively if cast upstream- then wind in like a dervish! Small Mepps are effective in lower water, but having said that you should probably be fishing the fly if it is that low!.

Tackle shops. Some fishermen speak well of Tight Lines in Ammanford (01269 595858) although I swear by Sportfish (01544 327111) who will deliver from a huge range the next day. There is also a tackle shop in Carmarthen.

I do not give advice on fishing the worm as I release evrything that I catch unless badly hooked and worm hooked fish tend to take the hook well down the throat - however this method can be most effective in high coloured water and in some of the gutters in low water!

Tight lines!
Jonathan Heron (updated 25/07/08)