Glaslyn Angling Association
The Aberglaslyn Pass
A selection of photos from the Pass downstream
The source of the River Glaslyn is Llyn Glaslyn which lies directly under the western slopes of Snowdon. It flows down to Llyn Llydaw where most of its volume is piped directly down to Cwm Dyli hydro-electric power station. The volume is restored and it flows down the Gwynant Valley through Lakes Gwynant and Dinas being fed by minor tributaries. At Beddgelert it unites with its major tributary the Colwyn which has drained the south western slopes of Snowdon and the eastern slopes of Moel Hebog. The Colwyn and its tributaries, unfortunately, has a fluctuating low pH which stems from a combination of acid rain, the peaty substance of soil and a large coniferous forest. Large sea trout do enter this river in spate but the resulting hatching of ova does not occur.
From Beddgelert the river runs swiftly for a mile through good pools and runs into the Aberglaslyn Pass, one of the seven wonders of Wales, that used to be known as "The Salmon Leap". Not as many salmon are to be seen now as in years gone by but the "Pass" is still a popular spot to fish in flood, and is the place where most fish are caught by anglers.
After the Pass the river runs for a short while through deep pools and over gravely glides until it reaches what was once the sea before William Madocks built the Embankment across the estuary at Porthmadog over a century ago. Now it meanders slowly in a deep trough the remaining five miles and escapes the sluice gates and through the harbour into the sea.
The Glaslyn is a short river, about 14 miles, and the Glaslyn Angling Association hold rights for most of both banks from Porthmadog to Beddgelert (7 miles) and one bank of Dinas Lake (opposite the A498).
The river is not noted for its trout although some fair fish up to 3 lb. are caught occasionally in the lower reaches. These being known as Estuary or Slob Trout and called by some Yellow Bellies or Yellow Fins, some older anglers even referring to them as Porthmadog Trout. They seem to enjoy the brackish water and thrive on a varied diet.
The sea trout enter the river very early, most probably having not gone very far from the estuary since migrating as smolts, or having stayed in the brackish lower reaches. The Association, in a conservation exercise have closed fishing in the lower reaches for the first week of the season mainly to protect larger kelts that have not returned to the sea after spawning. The lower reaches are frequented mainly by bait anglers though there has been an increase in fly fishermen in recent years. Spinning is practiced during flood conditions mostly as the river rises as the water clears very quickly. Some anglers fish dyed red or purple shrimp for salmon (prawn is not allowed) and have their favourite pools such as "Cerrig y Rhwydwr" (SH 592432), "Aberdeunant" (SH 590418), Croesor Bridge (SH 593413) or "Hir Ynys" (SH 596403).
There is no recognised spring run of salmon although the first are usually caught in the lower reaches either on worm or shrimp usually after the first of the higher tides at the beginning of May (during the past two seasons more fish were caught then than during summer/autumn). this is the time that some of the larger Sewin appear especially if there is a spate and they seem to navigate to the higher reaches almost immediately. Those that do not make the run through sulk in the deepest pools and the quieter inaccessible stretches of the river to await more fresh water. The appearance of the foxglove and a rise in water level coincides with a good run of school sea trout or "Gwyniadau" and they are fished for with worm, fly and spinner (the quill minnow is popular) along the whole river.
The Glaslyn could mainly be classed as a sea trout river and holds far more and larger fish than the innocent angler ever imagines. These fish are usually spotted after the season closes! The Association has run a small hatchery for the past twelve years under the care of a very conscientious volunteer manager and has planted out over 50,000 fed sea trout into the river system annually. The facilities to grow them on to smolts, which could be tagged, is unavailable so unfortunately there is no way of knowing if these are returning to the Glaslyn or do they go to the Dwyfor or Dwyryd!
Over the past five years the average catch on the river was:- salmon 46; grilse 18 and sea trout 530. During this time the average weight of sea trout caught has gone down from 1 lb. 8 oz. to 1 lb.
Visitors permits are available by post from:-
Alan Pritchard, Permit Secretary, Meirion Stores, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd. 01766 770366
Also from:
A. Roberts, "Y Pysgotwr", High St., Porthmadog, Gwynedd.
A. Edwards, Gynnau Penrhyn, High Street, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd.
Beddgelert Post Office
K. Owen, Llyndu Isaf, Nantgwynant, Beddgelert, Gwynedd (Farm top end of Dinas Lake)
Cost Full Season Adult £50.00 Junior/O.A.P. £25.00
Weekly Adult £25 Junior/O.A.P. £12.50
Daily Adult £10 Junior/O.A.P. £5 (not Sat. or Sun)
Any further information on this fishery and permits, please e-mail Alan Pritchard