RIVER TAFF

The River Taff is actually three rivers, the Taff Fechan that rises in the Beacons and is controlled by Pontsticill Reservoir. The Taff Fawr, which also rises in the Beacons and is controlled by Llwyn Onn Reservoir. Both these rivers meet at Cefn Coed just north of Merthyr Tydfil to form the River Taff.

Before the Industrial Revolution, the River Taff sustained abundant trout and salmon. Once the Iron and Coal industries were established and the population of Merthyr Tydfil increased so the River Taff became one of the most polluted habitats in the area, with very little life surviving in its waters. When the large iron works were situated near the river they took the water from the river to use in the furnaces before returning this extremely polluted hot water back to the river. In 1872 a report on the river stated that it was uninhabitable to fish, the main cause being the tipping of hot cinders into the river and scouring the river bed by the washing down of cinder dumps.

The iron industry declined during the late 19th century, but the coal in

dustry expanded bringing with it its own pollution problems. The worst pollution occurred below the collieries, such as Merthyr Vale, Trelewis Drift, Taf Bargoed and Trelewis. In 1970 there were 97ppm of suspended solids recorded in the Taff near Mount Pleasant and 99ppm near Quakers Yard. Since the decline and the closure of the pits so the water quality of the river has improved.

Once raw sewage was discharged directly into the river, along wi

th toxic chemicals that used to be discharged via Morlias brook into the river. The closing of the chemical factories and the extensive cleaning of the Morlias Brook have remedied this. The sewage treatment works at Cilfynydd have alleviated the problem of the majority of sewage discharges into the River Taff.

The upper reaches of the Taff has been living up to its reputation recently as one of the premier trout rivers in the principality. It provides fly fishing of a very high quality right through the season, starting in early March and ending at the end of September. Fly populations are holding up well despite the serious declines experienced in other parts of the UK. The large dark olive still hatches in good numbers in the early season up until the middle of April and the angler lucky enough to be on the water between 11am and 3pm on a suitable day can expect some exciting sport to wet and dry flies, although as usual at this time, the hatches can be brief perhaps only lasting a half hour or so. There is a slight lull in olive a

ctivity from late April until the middle of May when the first of the pale wateries start to hatch but terrestrial insects such as black gnats can continue to provide good fishing and always be prepared to fish very small flies on fine leaders as midges will be present now as they are all through the season. The two most common summer flies on the river are the pale watery, hatching from mid May, and the blue winged olive usually putting in an appearance about a month later. The B.W.O. dun hatches and evening spinner falls can be spectacular with large numbers of fish appearing to feast on the huge numbers of flies available. In hot weather and low river conditions the rises of fish can be very late indeed so don't leave the river too early. Sedges also increase in number from mid summer and again, activity can occur very late in the evening and into darkness. Otters are becoming an increasingly common sight for those anglers who are prepared to stay on into the dusk and although it may temporarily put a halt to the fishing, it is without doubt one of the highlights of the season to see one of these wonderful creatures at such close quarters. One angler last season had a very close encounter indeed when an otter almost snatched a fish when he was bringing it to hand. It was debatable who had the biggest shock, the fish, the otter or the angler! As the season draws to a close and the evenings become cooler daytime fishing can again become very productive, the summer flies are still present but now Autumn duns and spinners can be seen in large numbers alongside increasing numbers of stoneflies and the ever present midges. Fish often feed well right up to the season end on 30th September.

The Taff is a spate river and can depend on rain, particularly in the summer months, to generate the best of its fishing but even in very low water a stealthy approach and fine presentation can produce some very rewar

ding if difficult sport. The average size of the Taff's trout is ½ to ¾lb but much bigger fish are present, trout of 3lb and 4lb were caught in 2004. These larger fish usually fall to bait but a trout of 3½lb was caught on a dry fly in 2003. The Association encourages catch and release and is very pleased to see increasing numbers of anglers returning their fish. This can only benefit the long term prospects for the river.

Flies for the river: March Brown, Pheasant Tail, Blue Upright, Blue Dun, Silver March Brown, Black Gnat, GRHE, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Greenwells Glory, Grey Duster, Griffiths Gnat, and any fly you feel confident fishing. Sizes should range from 12's to 20's or if you can see them 22's or 24's.

Competitions for both the Juniors and Adult members for brown trout

are run at the beginning of the season. These competitions are run together and the methods used are worm, spin or fly and the heaviest bag of 4 fish wins. Anglers can fish any part of the river they choose but they must weigh in at the one of the 2 recognised meeting points at the time appointed by the Match Secretary.

The river is recognized by both the Environmental Agency and the Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association as being one of the finest natural Brown Trout fisheries in Britain and because of this W.S.T.A.A. have held their international trials on the River.

Mr. Gavin Jehu: Welsh International Fly Fisherman. He has fished the

River Taff since he was a small child and knows the river extremely well. He is an extremely good fly tyer and knows which patterns will catch fish with regard to the weather and time of year. Contact him on 01685 722261, Gavin was last years Trout Competition Champion and has taken on the responsibility of Trout Competition Secretary the picture was taken on Presentation night and Gavin is being presented with his trophies by Hugh Lewis our President and Welsh Assembly Member for Merthyr Tydfil.

The season for fishing the river is from 3rd March until the 30th September, only 4 fish may be taken, in any one-day, with a minimum size of 10 inches/25 cm from tip of snout to tip of tail. Day ticket holders may only kill 2 fish catch and release is allowed.

Day and weekly tickets are available to fish the Taff ring Tony Rees on 01685 723520 for further information. All day tickets are subject to a 2 fish limit although catch and release is allowed.

We are always looking for volunteers to help us when we stock the river with brown trout. Would you like to help? If so, contact Garry on 01685 371981, or Nigel on 01685 377848 come along and help put them in the river, it is a bit of fun for the young and old alike.

I fished the river with Gavin Jehu (local guide and Welsh International Fly Fisherman) and below are some pictures of Gavin landing and returning a trout also one of Phillip Jehu his son with a nice wild brown trout.

Junction Pool to Lines Bridge	Lines Bridge to Fire Station

Fire Station to Town Weir	Town Weir to Rhydycar

Rhydycar to Hoovers Bridge	Hoovers to Pentrebach Station



Chris Charleston with a nice trout his dad caught	nice plate of Taff trout caught during the recent Easter break	A nice 3lbs 6oz brown trout caught by Brian Rich at Quakers Yard	Gareth Watkins with his winning 3lbs 2oz brown trout	Nice brownie caught below the Blue Pool on Taf Fechan

Top of River	Middle Beats	Bottom Beats