[gbanjo]

Sorry Patrick deleted the PM by mistake. Can you send again.
Cheers. gbanjo.

 

[happy days]

Thanks for the clear and concise information, what would you recommend as a good height for fly at Dol Isa.

 

[gbanjo]

Thanks for the clear and concise information, what would you recommend as a good height for fly at Dol Isa.

Sorry didn't reply yesterday, was away to the fishing.

I treat all the river in the same way. Look at the height at Corwen and Manley because some people use either gauge. If the waters up in the 80's or more, I wait for falling water and like to go once it gets to 70/4 and below. Then give it a try. There are no hard and fast rules.

gbanjo

 

[happy days]

Thanks I actually went this morn to dol isa, access was good as you said the river was at .7 manley gauge, I used a 12' 6 for an 8 with a rio ssvt and didn't feel overgunned on the pools, no fish but enjoyed fishing. got the trout rod out as well and had an out of season grayling on a cochy bondhu about a pound and a half. A good day

 

[gbanjo]

Patrick you seem to have the top end of the river well surveyed and I can't really add anything.

The Fridge pool incidentally starts at the big riffle above Dee Farm. Then the wood that you struggled through starts at the top of the riffle.
That length where the big rocks are and clumps off grasthroughout its length, isn't the Fridge pool. In fact I don't know what it's called, never seen or heard of anyone fishing it.

To get to the top pool go up the slope at the beginning of the wood and walk all the way along the back of it until you come to the Top pool. Takes about 10 mins. I don't fish it.

If you go on a website called Hawker- Overend. Andrew is making a great site about The Dee. Llan Maelor and Bodsa.

Superb info, descriptions and drawing of the pools,flies etc. Click on blog and share. It will be amazing when finished, which will take an age. It's a labour of love. More info than I can ever give

Don't think many people know about it yet.
I apparently can't do PMs yet.

gbanjo.

 

[gbanjo]

Thanks I actually went this morn to dol isa, access was good as you said the river was at .7 manley gauge, I used a 12' 6 for an 8 with a rio ssvt and didn't feel overgunned on the pools, no fish but enjoyed fishing. got the trout rod out as well and had an out of season grayling on a cochy bondhu about a pound and a half. A good day

Pleased to help. Glad you enjoyed your day at Dol Issa.

I had a blank yesterday. I do think you catch fish by regular attendance, wish I lived on a river.

gbanjo.

 

[happy days]

I have fished the top one they call it the long pool, yes it is a bit of a scramble down a wooded bank, I start at the riffle at the top and tuck into the right bank wading down these new shorter heads make it easier, I've only caught kelts there but have seen fresh fish in the past, some of the old welsh blokes I used to see on the bank said it was a good pool in the past, there is also some decent trout and grayling if you target them, it's definitely underfished as you need to be half fit to get to it, I like it up there, it used to be private owned by the Gardner Pearce preserve who where solicitors back in the old days. You could be in Switzerland it is that beautiful up on that top beat, just needs more fish to come back.

 

[gbanjo]

Your right it is steep and tricky. I would think after fishing the length, you would need to to wade back to the point of entering the water. It's seems to become steeper the further you go.

Its lovely up there, and peaceful.

I don't think it's just the Dee alone that needs more fish. I think much of Wales is the same. However the fly needs to be in the water, it's better than sitting using this iPad.

Tight lines gb.

 

[happy days]

You're right about the lack of fishing effort for salmon I haven't seen the locals out for years and I mainly fish for trout there and sea trout late summer at night. There always seems to be plenty of parr every year just very few returning as adults. I remember first fishing there in the late seventies for trout, couldn't afford a salmon licence then and I would see salmon showing all over the river no matter where you were on the beat. With regards to the long pool you can get out at the end of the wade with a bit of a scramble and onto a vague path that will lead you out of the woods and downstream. I would like to see a hatchery tried as another river I fish the Cree has done with some tangible success.

 

[Durham Ranger]

Spring Fishing???

Well, made a few hours of casting on the lower river Saturday under the baking sun - acquired the tentative beginnings of a tan.. but no salmo.

Definitely out with the wrong kit - a blizzard of sedges coming off mid morning for a good hour - the shucks were coming down in the margins all morning and into early pm. Friends were out Thursday and reported similar - unable to get out Sunday but another friend had a red letter day with the trout.. Great to see the river come so alive. Just need the odd salmon to throw hat into the ring.

DR

 

[Durham Ranger]

Chill wind blows no good

Out Saturday on a lowish, clear and cold water. Trickle of sedges persuaded the trout rod into action and caught.. grayling, nice grayling, persistent b*^**! grayling - oh out of season grayling but on the dry fly so that's alright then.

No sign of any fish or indeed reports reaching me - off to try the border options.

 

[salarchaser]

I would like to see a hatchery tried as another river I fish the Cree has done with some tangible success.

There was a hatchery on the Dee for years up at Maerdy. They closed it down the year before last.

I fished with the EA in Feb a couple times to catch kelts. They used to feed them up and strip them again that autumn. There's photos on the BODSAA website. We used to run a trip up there most years. The funding got pulled.

 

[happy days]

Thats right Huw I remember some welsh lads telling me they would fish late backend up at corwyn for broodstock in the past, we all thought the nets coming off would improve things a few years ago but to no avail, I tried to go friday but turned back because of the traffic, any joy on lake vyrnwy ?

 

[salarchaser]

Thats right Huw I remember some welsh lads telling me they would fish late backend up at corwyn for broodstock in the past, we all thought the nets coming off would improve things a few years ago but to no avail, I tried to go friday but turned back because of the traffic, any joy on lake vyrnwy ?

Just got back from the Dee with the trout rod. Water low and clear. Wet and cold with very little fly life. Had a few out of season grayling. A lot of trees down on BoDSAAs Village beat. Quite a few changes to pools in the last couple years as well. First time on that beat for a while. Usually fish the more 'off piste' beats.

Yes, a couple mates fished with the EA in November on the Dee for brood stock. Usually after cock fish as all the kelts are hens. A real shame they closed it.

One problem with the nets coming off are the seals. Nets men were allowed to protect the nets by scaring or even shooting seals. Now there are no nets, no nets men either and the seals have free reign.

Had my first Vyrnwy day on April 1st Graham. Very cold and the fish were deep. Still on size 12s but on a Di3. We managed 16 to the boat and lost a few.The following week I fished claerwen in shirt sleeves. Bonkers weather.

 

[happy days]

Had a nice day with the trout rod yesterday, water gin clear and low, about 12 C and cloudy small brownies and out of season grayling kept me going.

 

[DrPatrickT]

Llangollen Maelor - Top Beat Parking

Anyone know if the top beat parking spot is open now? Haven't been down for a couple of weeks because the water is so low. I was there last weekend, where we crossed the river above Duncans' pool. Never fished it from the East/North bank - fishes nicely - can understand why in higher water this is considered the best salmon pool (at least on the Llangollen stretch).

 

[gbanjo]

Anyone know if the top beat parking spot is open now? Haven't been down for a couple of weeks because the water is so low. I was there last weekend, where we crossed the river above Duncans' pool. Never fished it from the East/North bank - fishes nicely - can understand why in higher water this is considered the best salmon pool (at least on the Llangollen stretch).

Hi Patrick,

Have not posted for a while, been busy with house maintainance etc. Earning brownie points.

Nothing much happening on the river regarding the Salmon fishing. Last time I went was 13th April when the water was higher. Don't think we have had rain for 5 weeks, could be wrong.

Pleased to see my posting efforts have not been in vain and you managed to wade the river above and fish Duncan's from the left bank.

One reason I have given info on Llangollen beats is because over the years I have had to find out for myself, before there were such things as forums, which are so helpful and informative.

I think most of the members on here are country members, who in my opinion are deserving of more information than they have via the chronic pathetic club website.

Try and get a bailiff there if you see something untoward happening on the river. Make a suggestion etc.about the club and you will be met with empty promises.

The rules, don't mean a thing, they seem to make changes to Duncan's pool every year, and don't alter the signs on the pool. The rules on the website were incorrect for about to years, until someone took the committee to task over the subject. They don't seem to know what dotting the I's and crossing the T's means.

Have you ever seen anything regarding the info on Dol Issa written anywhere other than I gave to you.
Some maps are out of date, don't park at Tyn y Wern has been advised on the news section but it's still marked on the map. If you click on overview for the pools, most say, to be written. Been like that for years.

No wonder country members leave the club after a season.

I stuck it out, but have now bitten the bullet. It's a lovely area and river and fishery. Try going to the AGM. You'll get my gist.

Tight lines gbanjo.

 

[gbanjo]

Hi Patrick,

Have not posted for a while, been busy with house maintainance etc. Earning brownie points.

Nothing much happening on the river regarding the Salmon fishing. Last time I went was 13th April when the water was higher. Don't think we have had rain for 5 weeks, could be wrong.

Pleased to see my posting efforts have not been in vain and you managed to wade the river above and fish Duncan's from the left bank.

One reason I have given info on Llangollen beats is because over the years I have had to find out for myself, before there were such things as forums, which are so helpful and informative.

I think most of the members on here are country members, who in my opinion are deserving of more information than they have via the chronic pathetic club website.

Try and get a bailiff there if you see something untoward happening on the river. Make a suggestion etc.about the club and you will be met with empty promises.

The rules, don't mean a thing, they seem to make changes to Duncan's pool every year, and don't alter the signs on the pool. The rules on the website were incorrect for about to years, until someone took the committee to task over the subject. They don't seem to know what dotting the I's and crossing the T's means.

Have you ever seen anything regarding the info on Dol Issa written anywhere other than I gave to you.
Some maps are out of date, don't park at Tyn y Wern has been advised on the news section but it's still marked on the map. If you click on overview for the pools, most say, to be written. Been like that for years.

No wonder country members leave the club after a season.

I stuck it out, but have now bitten the bullet. It's a lovely area and river and fishery. Try going to the AGM. You'll get my gist.

Tight lines gbanjo.

PS. Example. Your question about the top car park being open yet. Why don't they put the info on the bl&@dy website? They didn't when it was closed either, did they.

gbanjo

 

[happy days]

I agree the site is not the most informative or up to date with news but to be fair every time I have emailed Huw Evans he has got back to me and even got a huge fallen tree out that had been in eddies wall pool for many years when I asked him. Maybe the committee are not that computer savvy.

 

[Bothy Cat]

Welsh Dee

Was out today, the river was very low but gin clear so I stuck with a 13 footer and 8/9 line.

Had a great take on a 1" Willie Gunn tube from a known lie and was convinced it was a salmon until a good brownie broke the surface , it went back safe and well. No salmon or other anglers seen, only me daft enough to think I had half a chance. Good to be out though, odd sort of day, overcast, calm, light rain, sun, few mayflies hatching which was nice to see.

Looks like we may get some water next week.