Dear Member

Once again it is time for me to give you a brief outline of the Associations activities over the last 12 months. I hope you will find the following items of interest.

Prior to the reading of the minutes a moment of silent tribute was held in memory of the several members who had passed away during the last twelve months, most particularly life long member Mr. Les Corcoran who will be sadly missed by his many angling friends. Most of the officers and committee were re-elected, the exception being Mr. David Matthews our coarse competition secretary, thanks go to him for his excellent contribution to the Association. Your new coarse competition secretary is Mr Ian Cathrew.

The committee proposal of a nominal increase in Adult fees of £1.00 was rejected at the Annual General Meeting and the members present amended this to a £2.00 increase for adult members only. Officers of the Association have recently been involved with the local police and child protection unit of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to clarify our position as to the measures we may need to protect our Junior members against potential threats from paedophiles. Advice received has been that we should make ad-hoc checks by asking members at random to provide a police data check. The Association has received a number of criticisms over the last year regarding its policy of giving free permits to some OAP’s residing in the Borough when at the same time long standing OAP members outside the Borough continue to have to pay a membership fee, albeit at the junior 11 – 16 rate. The committee recommends that it be put to the next Annual General Meeting that all OAP’s be treated equally and shall be required to pay for membership at the junior 11 – 16 rate. OAP’s who currently have free permits would continue to do so.

Myself and other senior officers of the Association are becoming increasingly concerned that there are very few young persons coming forward to join the committee for a long term commitment, as continuity is essential to ensure our future, without young people coming along to train as prospective treasurers, chairmen, secretaries and the like I feel that the Association may only have a very limited future. So if there are any volunteers please come along and join us. During the coming year the Association will attempt to introduce a junior committee section, details will be available in the local press and on the Associations web site.

The Association has purchased fishing rights known as the Black Lion near Merthyr Vale, we have also negotiated a new 21 year lease on the west bank of the Taff for approximately ¾ mile above the old Trevethick Railway Bridge. At the time of writing more fishing rights on the Taff are near completion. A planning application has been submitted to Merthyr Council in respect of the Pontygwaith Park Project, which includes the proposed new Stillwater fishery and wetland area. If the application is successful we will then continue to seek grant aid to finance the works. Meanwhile, work continues on the landscaping works on or land at Edwardsville financed by Cyd Coed Cymru and undertaken on our behalf by the Groundwork Trust. The latest phase of the improvements the to Taf Fechan project has been completed with a further four weirs formed with other works to banks and river bed. All this work has not been in vain as a recent survey by the Environment Agency has revealed a significant improvement in the numbers of natural fish present and insect life. The Association was nominated for work on the project to the Classic Malts Wild Trout Trusts river restoration awards and were successful in gaining joint second place in their category. The Chairman and others attended the presentation held in the Scottish Office in London some weeks ago. Work has been completed on the provision of a new access road, 2 car parks and 3 disabled fishing platforms at New Pond Penywern. The inner car park is available to members only with keys to the barrier available at £5.00 each from our Treasurer Tony Rees. The Association in conjunction with Merthyr Council and the Environment Agency are continuing to progress the re-instatement of Bryn Cae Own Pond in Cyfarthfa Park and at present indications of success seem positive. The 3G’s group who are involved with the regeneration of the Gurnos Estate have also become involved and are proving to be very supportive, potentially they would have access to significant funding for this project.

During 2004 the Association introduced 4,800 Brown Trout into the Taff system and Upper Neaudd Reservoir. Unfortunately the planned stocking of the Usk Fisheries did not take place due to high river levels. The Association has received permission from both the Environment Agency and Welsh Water to remove coarse fish from Pontsticill Reservoir for transfer to Cyfarthfa Lake, this will be organised as soon as possible. If any member is interested in assisting with this please watch for details in the local press and on the Associations web site.

Another fishing season is at an end, they seem to pass too quickly these days. However, reflecting on the 2004 season there were sufficient numbers of salmon on our beats particularly form late August until the end of the season to give anglers good sport. It is being suggested that the increased numbers of salmon has been brought about due to the curtailment of the fishing effort in the past few years, while others believe it was a result of the September storms, which meant a reduction in the netting effort at both the estuary and at sea. Either way, it has been our best season for many years, with a total of 86 salmon and 13 sea trout caught. Some notable catches worth a mention were: Mr Peter Dent who started the season with a superb day at Kemeys on May 8^th with 3 salmon weighing 10lb, 10lb and 15lbs, all caught on an Ally Shrimp, before returning the fish Peter photographed them and they are now on view on the Association web site. Also at Kemeys our Chairman Garry caught 6 fish in 2 days on a spinner the flying C and along with other fish caught finished the season with a total of 11 salmon for which he receives a trophy for his achievement. The heaviest salmon of the season was caught on our Ysbyty beat by Mr Mike Wagstaff who measured his cock fish before returning it, the length was 41½ inches and according to Mona’s scale weight was approx 29lbs, he also wins a trophy for this achievement. From the total of salmon caught 30% were returned, which brings be to another point. I have received reservations from some members regarding the condition of some salmon being taken from our fisheries. If we are to enjoy good salmon fishing in years to come then returning fish in a gravid and coloured state is vital, I hope the following information will show how important this is:

Egg 5000 (10lb Hen + Cock)

Alevin/Fry 4700 94%

Fry@ end of 1^st year(0+) 360# 8% 5 – 14%

Parr (1+) years old 140*} 43% 28 – 53%

Parr (2+) years old 77*} (52 Smolts) 57% 44 – 67%

Parr (3+) years old 39*} 55% 47 – 65%

Note: Mean survival rate from egg to Smolt is only 1%

Adults returning to Coastal

Waters as Grilse and 2 Sea 5 10% 3 – 20%

Winter fish

#88% total mortality occurs between March and July

* A proportion of these migrate to sea as smolts in the spring

These figures have been compiled from the work of David Hay on the Girnock Burn and David Piggins on the Burrishole fishery and Atlantic Salmon Trust.

N.B. It is obvious from the above information that the Atlantic Salmon suffers high natural mortality rates during its 4 year life cycle from egg to maturity. 5000 will produce only 5 adult salmon 4 years later (approx 0.1% natural survival rate) THEN THE ANGLER TAKES HIS SHARE?

More in depth details of salmon catches are included.

The Taff once again fished very well on occasions this season but was plagued by low water conditions for long periods during the summer. The fishing then became more difficult; fishing early and late then became the best options. It was very pleasing to see reasonable hatches of large dark olives early in the season and when they appeared the fish responded well, blue winged olives hatched as usual throughout the summer and good rises of fish occurred even in the very low water conditions. Unlike the last 2 seasons we were blessed with good water levels at the end of the season and the river again produced good fishing with fish feeding well at the surface. It is also encouraging to see large numbers of 6" to 8" fish present, this proves that the wild fish are breeding successfully and the Association would ask all members to return as many wild fish as possible to ensure this happy state of affairs continues. A flay that appears to becoming more common the river is the yellow may dun. A very common fly on the Usk, it is now encountered more frequently on the Taff. A fly dressed on a size 12 hook and a bright yellow shade is well worth trying when duns or spinners are present on the surface. The quality of the trout fishing on the Usk continues to improve every year. Good hatches of flies can generate some very exciting surface activity although the river can still be very dour when conditions are difficult. The average size of Usk trout is now around a pound and several fish at least twice that size were frequently landed last season. However, being a wide and sometimes deep river the Usk fishes better for trout during lower river flows. It can often be too high for trout fishing after periods of heavy rain. The peak period for Usk trouting is usually from early May until the end of July, sport can be unreliable either side of this period. Fish can still be caught however, but the fishing becomes muck more challenging but non-the less rewarding.

This reservoir has fished well all season with many anglers attaining limit bags, most of the fish caught were stock fish although natural fish in the 6 – 8oz were also caught in reasonable numbers. The most successful flies used were the gold head damsel, bibio, Kate Mcclaren, zulu. These were fished mainly on intermediate or floating lines, the best fish reported to me weighed 3lbs 12oz and was caught by Rodrey Jones. Would members please note that for the season 2006 there is a possibility that the Association will be changing the keys for the barrier of the Upper Neaudd. Problems have occurred with past members not returning their keys. Key holders will not incur any extra costs, when applying for permit renewal an exchange of key will be arranged. If this change takes place more details will be available at a later date

Not having fished this reservoir myself last season I have to be reliant on reports from anglers who did, unfortunately not many took the time to do so, those who did reported fish in the 12oz to 1lb range, but not many achieved limit bags. Mr Warrell seems to have the knack of finding the bigger fish; he had several over 2lbs the best being 3lbs 8oz. I would appreciate any information from this reservoir for next season.

Senior winners were: Steven Bridges (2), M Jones (2) and Anthony Curtis (1).

Senior Aggregate bag winner is Steven Bridges

Junior winners were: Adam Toomey (2), M. Williams (2) and Jonathan Stibbs (1)

There was Joint aggregate bag winners they are Adam Toomey and Phillip Jehu

The lake was stocked in January with 4,500 coarse fish mainly roach, bream, tench and a small number of chub. As the season progressed the fishing improved. Andrew Powell, Dean Roberts, Calwyn Jones, Liam Jones, Lauren Jones, Matthew Rolls, Daniel Jones, Christian Charleston, Terry Jones Garry Miles and others have enjoyed really good catches of roach, perch, crucian carp, rudd and bream. Best baits were maggot, caster and sweetcorn. As usual the bigger carp were caught on boilies, Christian Charleston landed one 15lbs 3oz, but the largest carp weighed 18lbs this was caught by Anthony Noonan.

Owen Tasker fished on 21^st Dec 2003 to land a nice 18½lb Common. Junior member Daniel Jones had a good session when he landed 33 fish. In May a 5lb tench came out twice caught by Andrew Bailey the 1^st time then by Dominic Walters. During May June and July the pond fished very well with most anglers catching carp, roach, skimmer bream, perch and gudgeon. During August Steve Jacob landed 2 carp one evening a common of 18lb and a leather of 20lb. Sam Phillips had a good day when he caught 15 carp, which included a 8lb leather and a 9lb mirror.

Jeff Richards has fished Pontsticill and Dolygaer regularly this year and has had terrific nets of roach, perch, skimmer bream, hybrids and bream. January. February and March pike fishing was good the most notable catches being Brendon Hurns 18lb pike and Richard Doyle’s 1^st pike one of 14lbs. From April until the end of September anglers were catching good bags of bream, the notable catches being Andrew Whittock with 100lbs, he is still trying to catch one of 10lbs the best he achieved this year was one of 9lb 15oz. Terry Jones, Simon Challenger, Gary Miles, Carl Jones, David Matthews, junior member Daniel Miles, Terry Jones (Snr), and Mark Jones have all had bags of bream in excess of 100lbs. Once the pike season resumed in June lots of small pike between 3 and 8lbs were making their presence felt. The biggest pike of the winter so far fell to lamprey and gave young Jamie Evans a hard 10 minute fight before being weighed at 22½lbs. Mark Fury had an excellent day in November when he landed 5 pike in a morning weighing 15lbs, 15lbs, 10lbs 5lbs. And 5lbs.

This pond has fished extremely well for both carp and coarse fish all year. George Jones loves to stalk the carp on Top Pond and his tactic of floating bread on the surface has bought him some lovely carp this year his latest in November was a common carp of 11¾lbs and a leather carp of 16½lbs. Junior member Andrew Bailey perfected the art of catching perch this year with lots of 2lb fish but his best was one of 3lbs. The biggest carp caught this year was one of 18lbs caught by Brent Parry. In June David Keen caught 10 carp in one day the biggest of which was 16½lbs

Before commencing the competition report David Matthews your outgoing competition secretary would like to mention with great sadness the death of Les Corcoran who passed away last year. Les was a stalwart of the matches and all his friends of the match fishing fraternity will sorely miss him.

Once again I am very pleased to report another good season with some very good catches made. Golden oldie Brian Prothero showed there’s life in the old dog yet, contrary to rumours he broke the Association record on Staunton Court Lakes in August with 187lb 7oz of carp all caught on pole tactics, not to be outdone the other half of the gruesome twosome Graham Davies caught 129lb 14oz of carp at Pixley Pools the following week, these proved to be the highest weights of the year. Every year the summer league goes down to the last match with a number of anglers in contention, this year was no exception. The last match was fished in Cyfarthfa Lake and after the points were calculated it was found that David Thomas Snr and David Matthews had tied on points and are this years Summer League champions. The Association championship was a run-away affair with Brian Prothero and David Matthews battling it out over the season with the lead changing hands virtually every week. However, a late surge by David Matthews showed why he has dominated the championship in latter years with him winning the championship and beating Brian off the next peg on Middle Pond and becoming this Association champion once again. David would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped and participated in the matches while he has been match secretary and passes his best wished to next years match secretary Ian Cathrew.

Winners were: Brian Prothero (6) Terry Jones (4) David Matthews (3) Graham Davies (2) Garry Miles (2) Jason Gillespie (2) and Colin Rees, Steve Crowley one each.

2004 was another successful year with an average of 27 junior anglers attending each match. The away match that was held at White Springs Fisheries was such a success that we will be returning there next year.

Winners of the over 11-age group are: Scott Davies (2), Andrew Llewellyn (2), and Luke James, David Atherton and Daniel Lewis one match each.

Winners of the under 11-age group are: Rhydian Nicholls (2), Daniel Morgan (2), and Anya Earp, Matthew Rolls, Daniel Jones one each

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The award for the most improved angler of 2004 will be announced on Presentation Night. Next season there will be some evening matches, which will be held on Friday evenings and the remaining matches will be on Saturday mornings as usual. Bernard your competition secretary would like to thank all the participants who entered the matches and hopes to see you all again next year, also thanking those who donated towards the away match BBQ and prizes for the match. A special mention to Tony, David, John, Malcolm and others for their help and expertise during matches.

For many years the Association have actively pursued Welsh Water about the quality of water being discharged from Pontsticill water treatment works into the River Taf Fechan. There have been numerous pollutions that have killed fish, insect and plant life often leaving the bed of the river covered in brown sludge. It now seems that Welsh Water are to spend very large sums of money on their plant infrastructure to enable the waste water to be re-circulated back into the works rather than into the river as part of the compensation water. In future all compensation water will enter the river directly from the reservoir itself.

Penywern and Pontsticill reservoirs continue to have problems with litter. Penywern is of most concern and the committee will consider drastic action to overcome the problem, options open could be stopping night fishing, ending day ticket sales, cancelling memberships or even closing down the pond for a period. At the time of writing two members have been suspended for 12 months each and we will not hesitate to do likewise to any other offenders caught.

Earlier in the year two men stole fishing tackle from one of our junior members while he was fishing the River Taff, the member was able to give the police a good description of the criminals and subsequently the two Member were arrested and following their conviction at crown court the elder of the two for this and other offences was sentenced to 3½ years imprisonment.

Following on from our permit exchange scheme with Glamorgan Anglers we have been approached by two other angling clubs to enter into similar arrangements with them, no decision has yet been made in respect of either approach but future meetings will take place to ascertain the implications involved.

During the year officers and committee have attended many conferences, meetings and seminars both with national bodies and local organisations, we continue to strive to build on our position as the largest and most respected sporting organisation within the Merthyr Borough.

The Association presentation night will take place on Wednesday 9^th February 2005 at the Merthyr Tydfil Ex-Servicemen’s Club starting at 7.30pm, there will be a buffet provided and as usual there will be no cost, all are welcome.

I would like to conclude this newsletter by wishing you all, on behalf of myself and the officers and committee of the Association a very merry Christmas and a happy new year

Tight Lines