Geraint's Diary 2008

17th July

Well, it has been quite a while since I last wrote. Geraint's diary was only ever meant to be a brief update on river levels and how many fish have been caught.  However, many club members have asked me to expand it as they look forward to reading the articles.  The grapevine tells me salmon and sea trout are being caught throughout the Clwyd and Elwy catchment.  It is looking like another excellent season on the club waters.
With the bathroom now completed and ‘the promise’ fulfilled, at last I am released. I have now managed quite a few outings which have been productive.  One particular night I managed to land 16 Sea Trout ranging from 1lb to 2 1/4 lb. Many anglers I meet on the river bank are concerned about the lack of water especially on the Elwy.  My reply is to assure them that sea trout will push upstream with their backs sticking out of the water.  I have witnessed this myself over the years and this explains why, in drought conditions, freshly run sea trout can be caught in previously empty pools.
 The Clwyd and Elwy catchment is under threat of becoming mandatory catch and release. Good catch figures accompanied with high percentage of voluntary release could help us avoid such enforcement. Having spoken with many anglers, they tell me they enter low catch figures on their licence returns. The reason they give is because they believe the Environment Agency will stock more fish into the system. This, I can assure you, is not the case. Low return equals rivers not performing and more restrictions!!!
 In the future, time permitting, I would like to write about the individuals who form the Rhyl and St Asaph committee and the sterling work they do. Also the characters you may meet on the river bank.
Tight lines. Geraint

 

20th May :

River conditions on both the Rivers Elwy and Clwyd have been unpredictable. However, levels have settled and fishing conditions are well-suited for fly or a small spinner.

I recently promised my wife that I would not go fishing until I had finished renovating the bathroom. Then I hear of the first Sea Trout of the season caught on the River Elwy. Why I made this promise, I don't know. I'm sure we could have managed without a sink and a shower until the end of the fishing season.

For those who wish to go searching for them, there are fresh run fish throughout both systems. Not in any great numbers, but well worth a dabble. I hear on the grapevine the River Clwyd has produced the first salmon of the season, which was returned unharmed.

By the way the club lake is fishing well with plenty of good sized fish showing. A fish of approximately 6lbs has been seen patrolling the margins so why not try your luck!

Tight lines for now. I will be thinking of you all as I continue the bathroom renovations.

 

Sat 26th April:

The River Elwy is in good condition and 12” above normal summer levels. Water clarity is reasonable and will easily take a fly. The trout are still holding in the deeper water. I have not seen any fish rising, so a fly presented closer to the bottom should prove successful. I have recently heard of a Salmon being hooked and lost on the Elwy in the last couple of weeks, could this have been a Springer! or a well mended kelt?

The Sea Trout will be entering the system soon. Hopefully the fishing will be as good as last season which saw many club members enjoying a very productive time, especially the two lucky gentlemen who caught their first Salmon in their first season with our club.

Over on the Clwyd things are much the same. The clarity of the water is not quite as good but will still take a fly. For those who wish to try spinning conditions are excellent on both rivers.