MTAA February 27th, 2009
All members are reminded that the 2008/9 Environment Agency rod licenses will expire on 31st March 2009. It is, therefore, mandatory that rod licenses are renewed in order to continue fishing past this date. Individuals coarse fishing with three or four rods will require two licenses.
2009/10 Rod licenses will be available from 9:00am Monday 2nd March via Post Office outlets, online by clicking here, or by ringing 0844 800 5386. Again, please note, 2009/10 rod licenses will not be available for purchase until 9:00am 2nd March.
Please see the below Environment Agency documents (Adobe Reader required) or contact the Association for further information.
MTAA February 24th, 2009
Last night’s MTAA Junior & Senior Fly Tying Competition went extremely well with a good turn out and saw some truly great fly tiers (the juniors even giving the seniors a run for their money!).
All participants were required to tie a Cat’s Whisker and a Bibio, with the Juniors then required to tie a Black Buzzer and the Seniors allowed to tie a pattern of their choice.
| |
|
Cat’s Whisker Lure
Hook: #12 – #8
Thread: White or Red
Tail: White Marabou with Flash
Body: Lime Green Chenille or Fritz
Wing: White Marabou with Flash
Eyes: Bead Chain
Varnish: Clear
|
|
Bibio
Hook: #10 – #16
Thread: Black
Rib: Medium Silver Tinsel
Body: Black/Red/Black Seal’s Fur substitute (in three equal parts)
Hackle: Over-sized Black Cock
2nd Hackle (optional): Large soft black hen
|
|
Buzzer
Hook: #20 – #8
Thread: Black
Body: Black Thread
Cheeks: Holo Tinsel
|
| |
Judging was tough as the quality of tying in both the Junior and Senior categories was outstanding. In the end however, there could only be one winner from each group, and these were Declan Parker (Juniors) and David ‘Pastie’ Matthews (Seniors – winner of three consecutive years).
A huge thank you from the Association to all participants who took part in the competition and to all those who turned up to watch.
Special thanks must go to Gavin Jehu for his hard work in both the weekly Fly Tying Club and in organising and running the Fly Tying Competitions, and also to Nigel Morgan for judging the event.
A few images from the night:
MTAA February 24th, 2009
- by Julian Burns
Cyfarthfa Lake
This lake has been fishing slowly for the last few weeks due to the cold weather, but with the warm spell at the moment the catches are increasing. Luke Davies landed three carp last Friday fishing the grass bank side; he was using a method feeder with a boillie hook bait fished quite close to the bank.
Top Pond Penywern
David Lee spent a night at the bank last Thursday and landed two fish. A nice mirror carp of 12lb 3oz and a very nice common carp weighing 18lb 6oz, both of the fish were landed on a method feeder and a boillie as hook bait.
Restocking
The first restocking will take place shortly, members who are interested in helping please contact Tony Rees (Treasurer) on 01685 723 520.
Rod Licences
The new 2009 rod licences will be available from Post Offices from early March. We understand that the system has changed and that the Post Office will issue a paper receipt that you will have to keep until a new Credit style card is sent to you through the post.
Competitions
The first trout competition on the River Taff will be held on Sunday 8th March.
The first of the coarse fishing competitions took place on Sunday at middle pond Penywern. With a good turnout of fourteen people, Dai Thomas claimed first place with the only fish caught in the match, a nice Bream of 3lb 11oz landed on hair rigged sweetcorn.
Other Information
The committee and members wish Mr. Frank Thompson a speedy recovery from his recent illness.
Frank has been admitted to hospital and will not be able to take bookings for the Association until he comes out. Would members note therefore that they must now book through Nigel Morgan on 01685 377 848 or Tony Rees on 01685 723 520 for the time being for our Usk Fisheries.
MTAA February 22nd, 2009
Frank Thompson has been admitted to hospital and his number is not available at present to take any bookings.
Frank will be taking bookings when he comes home but until then would members please call Nigel Morgan on 01685 377 848 or Tony Rees on 01685 723 520 for any Usk bookings.
MTAA February 17th, 2009
- by Julian Burns
Pontsticill and Dolygaer Reservoirs
Jonathan Thomas and David Lee fished Dolygaer on Sunday; Jonathan was using sprats as hook bait and landed three pike up to 8lbs in weight. David used herring fished at long range and landed a specimen pike of 18lb 7oz.
Annual Presentation Night
The Annual Presentation Night was held on Wednesday 11th February and was well attended. Presentations to winners were made by Councillor Paul Brown and Les Elliot. A Special Presentation was made by Chairman Gary Davies to John Coombs for the work carried out on the Association’s first web site.
Notable winners were on the coarse side: David Thomas as club Double champion winning both the overall club championship as well as the Summer League. Junior Coarse Winners were Miss Emilie Thomas (Under Eleven Club Champion) and Matthew Maybank (Over Eleven Club Champion). The overall Senior Winner of the trout competitions was Mark Thomas, and the Junior Winner was Thomas Jehu.
Fish Pass
The fish pass, although it has not yet been officially opened, has been operational throughout the winter breeding season. Salmon have successfully used the pass as several salmon redds (the name for the area where salmon and trout spawn) that tend to be very large have been seen above Merthyr. We know that trout are using the pass; they tend to lie on the car park side of the river just above the pass for a rest after using it. We are reliably informed by the local representative from Keep Wales Tidy that the otter pass (the long metal strip attached to the wall alongside the fish pass) is also being used.
Licences
Members are reminded that they should be renewing their licences as the old ones ran out on the 25th January. Please post your renewal applications to Tony Rees (Treasurer) or telephone 01685 723 520 as soon as possible.
For more information regarding new memberships or membership renewals, please email the Association via the Contact Us page, or alternatively, please visit the Association Membership/Permits page.
Fly Tying
There will be a fly tying competition taking place at 7pm on Monday 23rd of February at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Merthyr Tydfil. Anyone who would like to take part or who would like to come along for advice is more than welcome. Please see the Events Calendar for more details.
MTAA February 10th, 2009
- by Julian Burns
Pontsticill and Dolygaer Reservoirs
These reservoirs have been fishing extremely well this winter for pike, and despite the snow ice, two hardy anglers (Matthew Rees and Lee Scrivens) ventured out on Sunday morning to try their luck. After a very cold start and several cups of tea Matthew had run and landed an 18lb pike on a ledgered herring. Not 10 minutes after the fish was returned Lee’s alarm went off and he landed a pike weighing 12lb 3oz, also on ledgered herring bait.
All anglers fishing for pike and carp must always be in possession of a landing net, unhooking mat and a pair of forceps.
Fly Tying Classes
The fly tying classes are still running on the top floor in the Ex-Servicemen’s Club between 7pm and 9pm every Monday night until the end of February. There will be a fly tying competition on the 23rd of this month at the Ex-Club. Any novices or professionals who would like to enter just turn up at 7pm and give it a go (the man to beat is Dai double fly tying champion of 2008).
Other Information
MTAA have an exchange ticket with the Glamorgan Anglers that enables our members to fish the lower Taff. We have six tickets that can be borrowed from Tony Rees. If you wish to make use of one contact Tony on 01685 723 520.
Anyone wishing to fish Nant Moel reservoir belonging to Aberdare and District Angling Association, the prices for a season ticket are from March and April £80 and after the 31st of April prices increase to £95. Licenses are available from Cwmdare post office, Aberdare.
MTAA February 6th, 2009
Please note that the above competition has been cancelled due to bad weather conditions.
For any queries relating to this cancellation, please contact Ian Cathrew on 01685 382 459.
MTAA February 6th, 2009
The Association will be holding it’s Annual Presentation Night on Wednesday 11th February at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Lower High Street, Merthyr Tydfil.
The evening is 7:00pm for 7:30pm and includes a free buffet. All members are invited to attend.
MTAA February 5th, 2009
- by Julian Burns
Pontsticill and Dolygaer Reservoirs
Neil Iveret fished Pontsticill on Saturday (31st Jan) and landed three jack pike and one good fish of 14lb on mackerel dead baits. Ceri Thomas and Mark Jones also fished the reservoir on Saturday and managed to land a pike each, both weighing approximately 8lbs.
Cyfarthfa Lake
John Taylor visited the lake on Sunday (1st Feb) and after an early start landed two carp weighing 7lbs and 9lb 4oz on ledgered boillie baits.
Penywern Ponds
David Rees fished the Middle Pond on Saturday (31st Feb) and landed roach and bream on a feeder fished maggot and sweetcorn.
Competitions
The next match is at Cyfarthfa Lake on February 8th and 9th, draw at 9am. See Events for more details.
There is a competition to raise funds for the spring fly fishing team at Eglwys Nunydd on February 21st. The entrance fee is £10 with day ticket anglers paying £20 and a number of prizes are on offer.
Fly Tying
The fly tying classes are still taking place at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club every Monday at 19:00, everyone is welcome.
Any catch reports please phone Julian Burns on 07850 901 356.
