Low water worm fishing for Salmon and Sea Trout
by Alan Bailey
This is not the most productive method of catching fish yet when I look back over my thirty four years of fishing this wonderful river I realise that because of my style of fishing I have a more complete appreciation of the River Dwyfor. Until recently fly fishing at night was not available for a father and son partnership and a flood was dangerous, therefore by low water fishing my son and I could fish, learn and enjoy the river together. This love of the environment and all it stands for has resulted in the fact that although my son has represented his country at rugby, fishing is still his number one sport.
Every year on our journeys up and down the river we experiment trying different methods, approaches and places, thus gaining in fishing experience and enjoying hours of pleasure.
The methods of fishing are dependent on many factors including depth of water, flow of water, position on the river and climatic conditions. The correct method is very much a matter of trial and error and experience. The areas I have fished over the years split conveniently into three.
Area 1. Tyddyn Cethin - Ty Cerrig
This stretch is one of pools and runs as illustrated by the photographs of and Llyn Neil. They are at their best at the break of dawn and at the onset of dusk. One never knows what will take the bait, salmon or sea trout or, most disappointingly - eel. As a consequence I tend to use line up to 10 - 12 lb. with hooks up to size 8. Invariably one shot (swan) is sufficient, though this depends on the depth of the water and the lies of the fish. As the sun rises there are several stones which are worth fishing though this is a case of trial and error. Perhaps it is the experimentation that really brings out the true enjoyment of this method of fishing.
Allt Goch - early season
One can never be certain of what is to happen with angling. This was illustrated several years ago when I left my caravan at Tyddyn Cethin heading for Llyn Neil at 3.30 a.m. late in August I fished the dawn with my usual ledger tackle and caught a sewin at 3/4 lb. The sun rose in a clear blue sky and although I had caught a fish there was a hint of disappointment as I had hoped for a large specimen. I decided to collect mushrooms on my way back and then returned to fishing. I caught a 5lb salmon at the boundary pool. What a sensation two fish and mushrooms to go with my breakfast!
Boundary Pool - Llyn Terfyn
My last port of call for the morning was the Lion Pool. The first cast resulted in my catching another 5 lb. salmon - two in one morning, an angler's dream! Whilst getting myself together after the second catch and trying to calm down I cast into the pool again and the result was a salmon at 6 lb. I must stress that this does not happen every year but fishermen are born optimists and we always hope it will!
What a morning! Salmon at 6 lb., 5 lb., 5 lb., sea trout at 3/4 lb.
Area 2. Llanystumdwy to Tyddyn Cethin
Though this has been the least productive of the three areas we fish for my son and I , it is the stretch we enjoy the most. One is perhaps most aware of nature on this part of the river, and might see squirrels, hares, rabbits, various ducks and countless birds on a typical morning. My favourite sighting is the blue flash of a kingfisher on dawn patrol. Pools here have many stones and boulders unlike the glides in area 1.
The technique for fishing with ledger here is similar to the higher reaches though the tackle is often lighter as the depth of water falls and the position of the weight relative to the hook is critical and it is important to stay out of sight of the quarry even though for the main part they are hidden under boulders or in fast runs. The nature of the river bed and the position of the rocks makes it is difficult to earmark a position that will or will not hold fish and again the learning process and trial and error come into play.
Jan Morris with fallen tree
Whilst fishing with a friend John Ireland, a non angler, in a stretch of water strewn with rocks, he asked me "how do you know which stone". I then picked out a stone to fish, pointed out the flow of water round the stone, adjusted the position of the weight on my line and cast in. I felt the tell tale take of a sewin and caught a fish of 1 lb. I now refer to the rock as "Ireland's stone" and I catch a sewin there on average every other year.
Some of the pools on this stretch hold really big fish. Particularly good ones are Jan Morris and Pwll Berw. I have caught several good fish here though Jan Morris pool has caused me to have many anxious moments.
Whilst fishing there on a perfectly calm August evening with a friend, Emlyn Williams, the tree in the picture fell with no warning straight across the river. The uppermost branches of the tree landed on the rock on which I was fishing. If it had fallen at a slightly different angle it could have easily killed Emlyn who was fly fishing at the time. He came round on to the rocks where I was sitting, though my knees were by now knocking with fear and in his usual matter of fact way stated "another couple of feet and you could have broken your flask!" Although this incident happened at least twelve years ago parts of the tree still remain. Several strange events have occurred at this pool though the relating of these tales must wait for another day.
Whilst fishing at Pwll Berw. accompanied by his girl friend my son cast into the head of the pool with 8 lb. line on his ledgering tackle. Night approached the bait was taken by a 6 lb. salmon which proceeded to head for the sea. Under careful instructions, Toni, David's girl friend, was sent to the tail of the pool with the landing net. This meant her swimming to the correct position. After a terrific struggle she landed the salmon. It was Toni's turn to get wet through. The excitement made it all worthwhile, and to show how enthusiastic she has become, one of her 21st birthday presents from David was a fishing rod.
Area 3. Aberkin
This is the most popular stretch of the river for both fly and bait fisherman. It was from Llyn Trap many years ago, 30 to be precise, that I caught my first sea trout, a sewin of 3/4 lb.
Generally when fishing here the tackle is much lighter and the hooks smaller as the main aim in low water is to catch sewin. The river in this area is made up of pools rather than rocks and short runs. The main difference is that the fish are often visible to the angler though if possible it is better not to look. Fish shoal in these stretches and though the numbers may not be as large as they used to be substantial groups can still occur. Silence and stealth are particularly important if success is to be achieved.
A mornings haul from Hen Bont
An early start helps. I often go at 4.00 am, though fish can be caught in most conditions. The nature of the river and the fact that fish can be seen means that there are more fishermen. Numbers of anglers are however down in recent years. This tends to mean that when things go quiet there is a chance to exchange points of view and swap yarns. Many happy hours have been spent doing this showing that camaraderie is still prevalent on the river.
One can be aware of nature even on the lower stretches. Numerous birds are to be seen and, in recent years the kingfisher is a frequent visitor. One of the highlights of my bird sighting was the view of two kingfishers flying together above Hen Bont and then on up the river.
Though the tackle used is generally light this does not mean that bigger fish cannot be taken. After a morning spent on the higher reaches and returning fishless, I took my son to Llyn Cam in the late afternoon to try and catch some sewin. After quite some time without any response our lines went taut at the same moment. We lifted our rods in unison and his came away fishless and I felt the surge of a salmon. After about 40 minutes a fish of 10lb 2 ozs was landed with a huge sigh of relief. I had pushed my luck to the limits.
A salmon of 10 lb. 2 ozs - caught on 5 lb. line and a 14 hook - barbed of course! VERY FORTUNATE!
On another occasion I went early to Aberkin with my son. I left him for a while going to Hen Bont. When I arrived I realised I had heavy tackle with hooks that were far too big. The first cast brought a fish of 4 lb. and a 5 lb. fish followed very soon after. These were two fish in a very short time on tackle I would have considered far too heavy. David and I then fished Llyn Cam and another fish of 4 lb. was caught. What a morning even on the wrong tackle!
A lucky morning in Hen Bont and Llyn Cam
The three stretches of the river are different in physical characteristics and nature though each can be enjoyed to the full in its own particular way. After over thirty years of fishing this river I still feel a thrill, even though the session may be fishless. However most anglers are optimistic and tomorrow is always going to be the day. The real pleasure and enjoyment of fishing the Dwyfor is in being there.