Dolygaer 29 Apr

Mark Sweeney fished Dolygaer today and the result can be seen in the photos below.

NRW Press Release Regarding Salmon Catch and Release

This is an Natural Resources Wales press release today

New fishing byelaws have been proposed which will make it mandatory for fishermen to release all salmon caught in Welsh rivers.

The procedures for introducing new byelaws are protracted and Natural Resources Wales wishes to avoid uncertainty for fishermen by delaying implementation of approved new measures until the 2019 fishing season.

The proposed all Wales byelaws, which include restrictions on fishing methods to help the survival of released fish and reduced net fishing seasons, are currently being considered by Welsh Government.

Dave Mee, Senior Fisheries Advisor for NRW, said:

“At the moment timescales for a decision are uncertain, so we are proposing that introduction of any new measures should be postponed until the beginning of the 2019 rod and net seasons.

“We hope this will help clarify the situation for anglers, netsmen, fishery owners and clubs and associations.”

Welsh salmon stocks remain in a perilous condition. Although the mandatory catch and release proposals have proved unpopular with anglers, NRW firmly believes that they, along with other measures such as tackling agricultural pollution, improving water quality and managing the potential threats from predators are vital for the future survival of these iconic fish.

Peter Gough, Principal Fisheries Advisor for NRW added:

“This delay is a pragmatic solution to resolving current uncertainty.

“However, it is important to note that this does not mean there will be further debate on the subject as NRW has concluded its position and the case for further controls has been made and presented to Welsh Government and it remains unchanged.

“Protection of the breeding resources of these wonderful fish is a fundamental part of our work to manage this important natural resource sustainably.”

Catch and release

This season, fishermen are again being asked by NRW to practice full restraint and ensure conservation of fish stocks by voluntarily releasing all the salmon they catch in 2018.

Dave explained:

“Our salmon stocks are in serious trouble and have fallen to historically low levels and the same is true of about half of our sea trout stocks.

“Neither species can sustain uncontrolled killing of fish and so we are again asking all anglers to release all of their salmon.

“Most anglers are already voluntarily releasing the fish they catch, but some are not. We feel the situation is now so serious for salmon that we must ask all anglers to help preserve as many fish as possible by returning all their salmon.

“It’s also very important to take great care of returned fish. Fishing methods and tackle should be used that ensure fish have a high probability of survival, they should always be kept in the water while unhooking to ensure they can swim away strongly.”

Middle Pond Competition Sunday 22nd April – Updated

On a  damp blustery day Mark Sweeney fished from peg 1 and landed 29lbs 4oz of carp and bream, second was Dia Davies who landed 2 bream for 9lbs 4oz and joint 3rd were Dia Couzens and  Gentleman Jim Howells with 1lb 3oz.  The next Competition is on Cyfarthfa Park Lake on 13th May

Mark Sweeney’s winning net of fish

Dia Odd Socks 2nd place winning bream

Carp League Result and News of Fish Migration Day

Our inaugural carp competition took place today 15th April.  Many carp anglers had promised to come and fish but unfortunately only a few turned up.   Nonetheless the competition went ahead.   Before the competition began it was agreed that all bream would count with a weight of 6oz regardless of size.

1st Sheila Maynard 5lb 14oz 1 Carp + 1 Bream

Joint 2nd Tom Jehu and Shane McDonnall 5lb 6oz  1 Carp + 1 Bream

4 Anglers fished

Next Competition will take place on 13th May at Cyfarthfa Park Lake

FISH MIGRATION DAY

April Newsletter