Water Report

Welcome to this, my 3^rd Water Report.

I start off with some disappointing news in that our recorded visits are down compared to last year with total recorded visits down by around half, although I’d caution this with a pinch of salt as there is a thought that some members are making visits without booking through Clubmate although the good old British weather did its level best to disrupt fishing plans with high water levels, wind, sun, rain, no rain etc.

As with previous years there were no reports of waters being over booked or not available and bookings at Brenig running somewhat smoothly, hopefully the new arrangements will be of benefit at Brenig.

Visits to 31st Dec 2025

Rhyl and St Asaph 14 down 14

Dolgellau 41 same amount as 2024

Bala 89 down 41

Bangor On Dee 14 down 7

Llyn Diwaunedd 19 up 3

Brenig 42 down 17

Total 219 compared to 449 in 2024

Our waters remain the same with all renewals being complete.

I’m happy to say that after 2 years of price rises only one of our associate clubs have raised their prices with a small 5% increase. Brenig have agreed to 2 rods 2 days a week, although this has raised the price, it is hoped by the committee that by doubling our quota with Welsh Water it will go some way to replacing the loss of Chirk. Please adhere to the booking of tickets with Brenig in booking on Clubmate and then ring Brenig and book with them too, quoting your club number and showing your club card on booking in at the venue. Also please remember to also book in with your Vehicle registration to avoid a ticket, luckily, I’ve not heard of anyone getting a ticket YET!

Current Waters

BANGOR ON DEE:

4 rods 7 Days

8 Miles of the Welsh Dee over 5 Beats

BALA:

5 rods 7 Days

Bala Angling Association has fishing on Llyn Tegid, Llyn Maes y Clawdd, Llyn Cwmprysor, rivers Dee, Tryweryn, Llafar and Lliw.

DOLGELLAU:

4 rods 7 days

13 miles on the Mawddach and Wnion

Llyn Cynwych

There is one important rule change with Dolgellau: All Sea Trout and Salmon are now subject to mandatory catch and release regardless of fishing method.

RHYL & ST ASAPH:

2 Rods 7 days

4 beats on the Clwyd

4 beats on the Elwy

1 Beat on the Aled

LLYN DIWAUNEDD:

10 rods 7 days, exclusive use

2 upland llyns, around 38 acres

LLYN BRENIG:

4 rods with 2 on a Sunday and 2 on a Wednesday

I have approached almost all the clubs throughout N Wales and Cheshire about ticket sharing/associate membership, however that’s only resulted in 1 club being interested and we await further correspondence with them. I’m awaiting a date from Rhyl and St Asaph in which Steve Rogers and I can sit down with them and have a chat about opening up more beats for our Membership. Consideration of new waters is always a delicate balancing act. We must act within the finances available to the club and measure potential usage against the cost of those waters and availability.

I have heard from the Land Agent for Llyn Diwaunedd about the repairs to the track and I quote:

“I am down for the first week of February to discuss road improvements with several contractors and work out how we repair it. I am also meeting with the council and telecoms company about the road bridge at Roman Bridge which may allow us to undertake larger, more permanent repairs.

The hope is that at least the surface is scraped and add in new drainage points. I will have more of an update in a few weeks but will be down from Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th if you’d like to meet up then.”

The retention of our core river waters will always be the primary concern, the club is a game fishing club, and this is stated in our constitution.

I do urge you to make use of our waters, if you’re a Stillwater angler why not have a change and have a go at the rivers on our portfolio? There’s plenty of help in the club if you require it.

As with previous years Waters remain affordable, and Club funds hold at least a year and a half’s water fees in reserve meaning any disaster in membership would give the committee over

a year to take any corrective action.

Feedback from our constituent waters continues to be good, with Hoylake members being held in high regard and this is a credit to you the membership and the way you conduct yourselves.

I ask that the membership accept and adopt this report for the minutes.

Dave Humphreys

Water Secretary

Hoylake Fly Fishers