FISHERY NOTES
Warning
Beware of the overhead cables especially towards the tail of the Lower Garden pool and across the meadows on the left hand bank.
The Mann family from Shropshire (previous owners) have the right to fish 1 rod on beats 7 & 8 during the life of 3 existing family members; to our knowledge this right has not been exercised since they sold their fishery in 1999.
Peter Jones of Cothi Lodge Edwinsfrd also has similar right although he has been wheelchair-bound for some years, his right is not transferable.
Messrs Philipps (the current owner of the Edwinsford Estate) and Heron (the immediate past owner) also have a transferable right to fish at any time but in practice they do not exercise this right when there is a full book of tenants
Another local from Abergorlech has a season rod but restricts his fishing to beats 7 and 8 in high water (not suitable for flyfishing).
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. Although the track is not surfaced, 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 stile about 30 yards up the hedge from the corner by the river.
Follow the river upstream (or cut across 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 high water. Fish lie in the
fast water below the weir, continuing for about 25 yards downstream, especially against the right hand bank before it becomes very shallow. Having said that, fish may lie anywhere
just below the weir itsef. Try to wade across 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 and the next 20 yards or so.
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 ban. In high water cover the backwater
caused by a stream on the left bank. Return to the right bank to fish under the
trees on the left bank opposite and below the boulders - 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 150yds
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 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
the tail of the Vhard against the right hand bank 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 sharp bend in the river altough the faster run into the pool can also be productive, especially for salmon. This pool almost always holds a sewin
and often a salmon too. While it is most productive from the bend down to the big stone do not
disregard the tail, especially in high water, and continue fishing for 25 yards or so below the rock. This gives way to a 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 allowing the fly to come right into the left bank. 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 hard up agaist the grassy tufts. 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 right.
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 where the pool widens, 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 "grassy islands" at the
head but they do give valuable cover.
THE HOME BEAT (BEAT 2)
Start at Nikos (11) (just upstream from the second fence on the other side of the
road). In high water fish lie on the far side of the river
under the trees for the 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 wide 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 just where the current drops off below the weir. This has become one of tthe 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 30 yards below the rocks, let your fly swing right into the bank.
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 flick in the run
on the far bank just above the bridge in high water, then wade/walk under the bridge.
Below the road bridge is The Sheep Dip (14) which can also be reached by following
the north (right) bank from the old grassed bridge by the hamlet - please follow the tunnel through the rhododendrons 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 (15); the stream into the pool is fished conventionally
but sewin can lie anywhere in this pool, sometimes pointing downstream in the
back eddies, and 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, especiallt the second. 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 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 the 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 (left) bank below the tail; in high water it may
be worth a few quick flicks under the trees on the right 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. Before you reach the bend be sure to get out of the water as the bottome comes very silty and you will turn the bottom section (the most productive) chocolatey! Start fishing again from the inside of the bend by casting against "the wall" just below the grassy tump, this bit
under the rhododendrons is the real hot spot, while 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. At night Surface Lures (mice) work well very well when cast right into the furthest corner of the widest part of the pool, then stripped back quite fast..
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) where salmon can lie by the boulders
and rocky ledge just below the old arched 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, wade over onto the mansion side- in high water cast diagonlly 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 (you will need to open the combination lock which is 2808 while depressing the catch) to make your way
downstream on the left bank; in high water the run between Lower Garden and Williams often produces
a fish although seldom in low water.
BEAT 3
Williams (18) is the pool immediately above
the weir. Fish hang about along the bank on the hamlet side after battling the fast water when in spate,.The
stream below has been named Matthews (19) after Matthew Halnan, a young teenager, who caught the first
fish in the tail of the stream in medium water. Subsequently a number of fish of over four pounds have been caught here 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 left-hand 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 "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 more usually in the two runs below, Upper (23) and Lower
Moelfre (24). The runs have a series of rocks down the far stream right down
towards the shallow tail under the trees. Note the boil towards the tail of the lower section (Vicar's 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. In very high water Upper Croy (25) and Lower Croy (26) are well worth a cast or two where they throw the current away from the rocks. 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 best pools particularly since being improved in 2003. Fish the bit from the neck all the way down to where it shallows very carefully as it is an extremely
productive stretch - fish often lie by the huge rocks at the neck and in the stream but move out into the quieter 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 (at the end of the trees) you can wade across the river
if you are also fishing Beat 4. be very careful wading on the gravel in the main pool as it makes too much noise when it starts to slip!
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 on the near side of the fast current - in high water fish lie back towards the
tail and especially in the V just out from the "pinkish" groin. You can wade along the gravel on the near bank crossing over to the gravel at the tail (if the water is too high, walk down to bridge which is only 2 minutes' walk and then upstream).
Fish can be 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 then need to wade back onto the
right hand bank again to fish Gordons effectively.
Gordons (31), (the fast current down the left bank 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 broken water here offer the best cover for sewin in half a mile especially during lower water.
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 Brocen (36) pool (you can wade round the side of the
rocks but be careful as there is a fair drop below the rocky ledge) the river
leads into a long pool which needs a name! 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 (38)where the grey rocks are submerged.This needs
to be fished from the left-hand bank, as a number of fish have been seen in the
glide above the rocks against the right bank. The remains of a gateway where the river comes right back to the track marks
the bottom of this beat.
BEAT 5
From the weir 200 yards 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, and 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 fittest can also get down the bank from the right bank). Lower Hippies(39) has deepened significantly in the last few years and gives way to a run above Chubbs (40), just above the bridge, where fish often stop in higher water, but it is always worth a few flicks under
the right bank. Upper Cwm and Lower Cwm (41 & 42) are both new and have been fished too little; spend
time in the runs under the wood on the far side below the bridge - Cilyllyn(43) which has a gravel beach on the north bank. The 3 Meadow (44, 45 & 46) 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!, and 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'sPool below the gate has added an extra 18" to its upside, notably the run into
Gate Pool (47) 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 (48), 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. Tommy's(49) has developed very well and needs to be fished from either bank as fish tend to lie against the left or right bank as wells as towards the middle of the stream! At the tail wade across to the right side where it becomes Cwmglaw Run,
a long rocky ledge running down the left bank which often holds sewin and also salmon if they are in
(deceptively deep), let your fly come right into the right bank. Keep in the water and wade down to Upper Cwm Seiri (50) (modified in 2004). This is the immediate past owner's most productive pool and produced a near 20lb salmon on an 11' single-handed rod on October 17th 2005, several in 2006, also a 17/18lb salmon which took him for a swim in Aug 2007 and quite a few other fish subsequently! 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 right in towards the near bank. It's probably best to wade on down the middle (shallowest) to Lower Cwm Seiri (51) (moved in 2004) which has been combined with the Bath Tub (52),
a deeper pool immediately below a stream entering by a small waterfall 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 left bank just above the rocks at Upper Cwm Cwta (53) (improved) which are both fished from the right bank. The river then deepens a little into a gutter against the far bank called Jones' (54) which goes all the way under the bridge to the Stump.This can be a very productive section and is deceptively deep. If spinning try fishing
Jones' upstream. The new pool, The U & L Stump(55 &56), 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. It is only worth spending time there in high water although 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 being
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 where fish sometimes stop after running the weir.
I now tend to fish Beat 6, 7 and 8 more than any others except in very high water - the pools are intimate and with so many very dark ledges where the fish can easily hide. Our water used to finish at the gate 60 yards below The Stump weir but you now still have over a mile of fishing in front of you!
BEATS 7 & 8 - only purchased in March 2006 (notes on these pools are continually improved as we get to know the water better). The track is now fully stoned and passable for ordinary cars until the Round Pool. There are almost too many pools to mention, just get in the river and fish all the way down to just above Abergorlech! A wading stick is essential on this section, if only as a "third leg". Do not fish any of this section at night if you are on your own, you might not be found for several days if you break a leg! Anyway these are the obvious ones:
BEAT 7
These beats start below The Stump and we 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 (56), has backed up nicely and we suspect that the deeper water above the rocks will hold fish at night and in higher water, and later, when it has scoured out more gravel, fish will hold in the faster water below. Below the faster water, Rees's (57), is quite a deep run against the near bank.Two further new pools, Upper (58) and Lower Ty Mawr (59), add interest to the next section. Upper Ty Mawr (very productive for salmon) should be fished from the left-hand bank as should Lower Ty Mawr (produced a salmon within 2 days of construction and several since!), fish the stream against the right-hand bank until the current runs out. The only pool 75 yds below is Lower Cwm Cwta (60) which also fishes from the right-hand bank and has produced several salmon. Then you come to the Cathedral (61), 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/watch out for a large stream that enters from the far side - fish sometimes hang around above and below this stream. Technically the next 250 yards can be fished by the owner of the far bank although in practice this never happens. 30 yards or so below the stream is the begining of The Duckwood Runs (62) 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 (63) Pool itself. This is one of the most productive pools on the beat if you cast into the small bay under the trees on the far bank. After the next really fast water you reach The Upper Withy (64) which is a quiter stretch and should be fished more in higher water.
BEAT 8 leads into the very narrow Withy Run (65) (the wooden gate and stile are your markers for this pool) Do not disregard this run in your rush to get to the Withy itelf! It eventually opens out into the main Withy (66) Pool where fish often lie alongside the 2 flat rocks 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 broken water at the tail- it was on the lip that I had a 14/15lb sewin on 29th June 2008 as well as quite a few salmon since. This is the best holding pool on the lower beats and will surely become a top night pool now that it is more accesible because of the track extension. The Withy can hold large numbers of fish and should be fished several times from top to bottom. Always make sure that you cover the very fr side as carefully as possible.
Then after the next white water follow Upper Steps, Middle Steps and Lower Steps (all 67 - 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 (68) 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 right against the far rock face.
The Rock Pool (69) is an obvious feature with the only significant rocky mounds on the near bank - a major snag was finally removed in 2011 which had been there for over 30 years so we know little about this promising pool in which many fish have been seen. The tail runs into a narrow stream which then opens out into the Lower Rock Pool (70) and 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 below the stream for around 30 yards against the far bank. From where the wood ends on the far bank we only have the fishing rights on the near (right) 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 of the pool and if low water keep low when on the horizon or you will be seen.
As we get to know this stretch better these notes will be updated and we 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 character: by nature sewin tend to prefer slower water than salmon but they also feel safer in faster (preferably broken) water which offer them cover in low water, here 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 narrow parts. JH will verify that his 2 big sewin were both landed over 250m downstream from where they were hooked!
This is a very beautiful and significant addition to The Edwinsford Fishery, especially for lower-water fishing, although catches have been impressive in high water too. To repeat a wading stick is essential as a "third leg" on these bottom beats - and The Black Lion in Abergorlech is not far from The Favourite - only 10 minutes walk if you park at the end of the track!
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 tells me that fish are often 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 streamy water below the structure and sewin often take at the point where the obvious current disappears.
TOP POOLS (from the top)
Dolbont Curries
The Sheep Dip
The Black
Upper Garden
Matthews
Brynabon
The Oak/Willows
Upper Cwm Seiri
Cathedral
Duckwood
Withy
Steps
Favourite
EQUIPMENT
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. A 10' or 11' singl- 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 or Silver Badger, Blue Charm in tandem format. Small Bloody Butchers, Black Pennel, Silver Stoats 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 or try a traditional sea-trout fly, 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 GRHE 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 than the floater - and remember to use a leader of no more than 4ft max with these, 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 - it's better to be broken than not to hook a fish at all
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 the 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, and 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 can deliver from a huge range the next day. You can pre-order for delivery here before your visit if short of "essentials"There is also a tackle shop in Carmarthen.
I do not give advice on fishing the worm as I release everything 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 25/08/11)