News

8 March 2010, Remarkable start to the season. The River Tawe trout season opened on 3rd March and members were soon amongst the brownies that were stocked on 1st March, with gold heads fished deep apparently proving most successful.

What was remarkable, however, was the number of salmon caught in the opening days - kelts, of course (fish which have spawned but not yet returned to the sea). Mark Evans of HR Jones in Clydach reported that members calling in the shop had caught or witnessed the catching of at least 20 kelts on the opening day and more were caught in the following days. Some were said to be in good condition, suggesting they hadn’t been in the river long, but others were long and thin, albeit quite silver - typical of “well-mended” kelts. As this is an unusual occurrence, it’s worth stressing that these fish must be returned unharmed - the salmon season doesn’t start until 20th March; when it does, byelaws require salmon to be returned until 16th June; and the law requires the return of kelts at any time. It would be nice to think that these fish might return to spawn a second time but it’s unlikely - even if they make it back to sea, the odds are against them surviving another round trip to the North Atlantic.

1 March 2010, John Rees Ponty. Members will be sad to learn that John Rees of Pontardawe, Life Committee Member and stalwart of Tawe Disabled Fishers, passed away on 28th Feb at the fine old age of 92. Our condolences go to his family. His many friends in the club will miss him. More...

1 March 2010, Restocking. 360 brown trout between 10 and 12 inches (some perhaps a little more) were introduced to the Tawe. Drops were made at Cinders Pool, Pontardawe Leisure Centre, Trebanos, Clydach, Ynystawe, Ynystanglws and Tircanol. There was a good turnout of helpers (mainly pensioners!) and the fish were therefore spread quite widely, into the runs above and below the dropping points.

Ray Lockyer making one of the first drops at Pontardawe

One of the buckets being filled at Ynystawe and one of the fish acclimatising after introduction

Ray Locker counting and checking quality. And John Graham tickling a fish to encourage it to move off!

Kevin Bolton and Terry Shipton at Pontardawe

19 February 10, Auction.

January 10, Newsletter. This can be seen here...

9 December 09, Annual General Meetings. The 64th AGM of the old unincorporated association PASAS (Pontardawe and Swansea Angling Society in partnership with Tawe Disabled Fishers) and the first AGM of the new company PASAS Ltd were held at Vardre RFC on 9th December.

The Secretary’s report can be read here and the TDF Secretary’s report can be read here...

The Treasurer presented three sets of accounts: those for the old clubs PASAS and TDFA to the end of September 09 and those for the new company PASAS Ltd to the end of October 09. The year end for the new company has been pushed back a month so that the activities of a whole season can be reflected in one year’s set of accounts (with the old clubs the financial year end was before the end of the season, which caused confusion on occasions). Overall there was a good surplus for the year and bank balances are healthy. Members who would like to see the full accounts should email the Treasurer, Phil Jones.

Those appointed as Directors, Officers and Committee members for 2009-10 are detailed here...

Membership subscriptions were held at the same level for the third year, as detailed here...

The calendar of events agreed at the meeting can be seen here...

November 09, Celtic Sea Trout Project. An international project to study the comings and goings of sea trout has been announced. It will involve studies in Wales, Ireland, SW Scotland, NW England and the Isle of Man. The River Tawe is one of 20 rivers which will receive special attention and anglers will be asked to help with the collection of scale samples and capture details. Further details to follow...

November 09, Further Club Success in International Trials. Six members have been successful in the trials and will represent Wales in the International Flyfishing Matches in 2010. Spencer Williams, Richard Hooper and James Graham will fish in the Senior Internationals; Shelley Walters and Frances Davies will fish in the Ladies International and Jake Graham will fish in the Youth International.

2 November 09, Fly Tying Classes. Ray Lockyer has been holding classes on Monday evenings each winter since time immemorial. They are currently held at the Cross Community Centre in Pontardawe. This year’s classes started on 2nd November and are well attended, with 23 tyers at the second class on 9th November. HR Jones of Clydach again generously donated materials for the use of beginners.

6 October 09, Access to Inland Waters by Canoeists. The Society submitted detailed evidence to the Inquiry being held by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sustainability Committee. Our evidence can be read here and the many other submissions by angling bodies and canoeists can be read here.

4 October 09, Llandegfedd. 12 members attended and the best catch was taken by Mike Pascoe with a bag of 9lbs 15oz; second was Gary Davies, 9lbs 8oz; third was Spencer Williams, 8lbs 12oz.

16 September 09, Tawe Disabled Fishers safari to Ty’n-y-Graig. 15 members attended on a sunny day with a good breeze. Everyone caught fish - 49 were taken in all and the best bag of 15lbs was caught by Bill Grey, with Paul Layton not far behind with 14lbs. An excellent day, enjoyed by all. Full report here...

4 September 09, Sewin Competition. 5 members took part and the winner was Daniel Edwards.

23 August 09, Draycote. Only 5 members attended this trip. Spencer Williams weighed in the best bag, 5lbs 2oz; Roy Pascoe was second, 4lbs 10oz; Mike Pascoe was third, 4lbs 6 oz.

16 August 09, Tawe Disabled Fishers safari to Usk Reservoir. 12 members attended and conditions were reasonable with a SW wind and a bit of cloud but only 6 fish were caught and 4 of them were perch! Peter Musson and Des Williams had a trout each. Full report here...

24 July 09, Sewin Competition. Cancelled because of high levels in the Tawe.

19 July 09, Casting Competition. This was cancelled because of the bad weather.

15 July 09, Tawe Disabled Fishers safari to Paper Mill Fishery, Fforestfach. On a fine sunny day 17 members attended and 25 fish were caught - mainly well down in the water. Best bag was by John Hart, 3 fish weighing 8lbs 7oz; second was Terry Shipton with 3 fish of 7lbs 10oz; and and third was Des Williams with 3 fish of 7lbs 7oz on the worm. Full report here...

14 June 09, Tawe Disabled Fishers safari to Llys y Fran. 10 members attended on a warm sunny day with a south westerly breeze. Those present had enjoyed the day, despite only four fish being caught. Full report here...

14 June 09, Brenig. Because of reports of poor fishing at Brenig, the turnout for this trip was poor and some members went to Llandegfedd instead. Nevertheless those who had booked accommodation persevered at Brenig and Paul Edwards had the best catch with Richard Hooper coming second.

7 June 09, Restocking. Unfortunately there was a bit of a spate in the river and there was a shortage of helpers, so the 400 brown trout of 10-12 inches from Llyn-y-Fan hatchery were placed in a few locations where they would get some protection from the main flow.

31 May 09, Club Day Out, Elan Valley. This traditional event was won (as so often in the past) by John Rees - probably on Black and Peacock..!

17 May 09, Restocking. Plenty of helpers turned out and 410 brown trout averaging 11 inches were introduced, spread throughout our stretches as on 8th March.

13 May 09, Tawe Disabled Fishers safari to Eglwys Nunydd. It was a cold overcast day with an easterly wind and rising fish were few and far between. 15 members fished and 13 excellent quality fish were taken, 9 of these on worm. Everyone enjoyed a good-natured day out. Full report here...

26 April 09, Junior Competition, Lower Lliw Reservoir. 8 junior members took part in the annual competition sponsored by HR Jones, Clydach. Between them they caught 11 trout. The overall winner was 14 year old Jordan Roberts with 4 fish weighing in at a total of 4lbs 10oz.; this was also the heaviest bag on fly. Rees James was 2nd with the heaviest bag caught on bait - two fish for 2lb 7oz; 3rd was Calum Morgan Brown, 4th Charlie Clenton, 5th Zak Bird, 6th Alex Rees and joint 7th Sean Brown & Ben Rees.

Both Jordan Roberts and Rees James are pupils of Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, Pontardawe; they are pictured with Dorothy, Mark and Bernard Evans of HR Jones and some of the other competitors.

15 April 09, Tawe Disabled Fishers safari to Ty’n-y-Graig. 20 members attended and, despite the cold NE wind, 44 fish were caught on the additional larger lake opened this year. Those getting amongst the fish included Glyn Strawbridge, David Daniel, Peter Musson, John Eddy, Terry Shipton, Ken Kirkhouse and Richard Hale. The owner generously donated prizes for a raffle which was won by Des Williams and John Brimfield. Full report here...

5 April 09, Llandegfedd. The trip venue for 5th April was changed by popular request from Llys-y-fran to Llandegfedd. Ten members turned up and fished on a pleasant and sunny spring day from the five boats booked in advance. At the start, it was unanimously decided that everyone would take out a 2 fish catch and release ticket; a lot of fish were caught and returned - one boat alone taking 25 fish between the two anglers. At the weigh-in, winner with the heaviest 2 fish bag was Paul Osborn at 4lb 8oz; second was John Graham 4lb 0.5oz; and third was Roy Pascoe 3lb 6oz. The Secretary had a wretched day fishing Boobies & Blobs - might as well have been jelly and blancmange!

18 March 09, Tawe Disabled Fishers safari to Lower Lliw. 16 members attended and caught 37 fish, all good quality, on a fine day. Winner Terry Shipton, 6.7kgs (6 fish); 2nd John Eddy, 5.75kgs (6 fish); 3rd Peter Musson, 5.5kgs (6 fish). Full report here and pics here ...

10 Mar 09, Restocking. The Environment Agency has released a Trout and Grayling Newsletter which sets out their new restocking policy etc. More...

8 March 09, Restocking. 430 brown trout between 10 and 12 inches were introduced to the Tawe. Drops were made at Cinders Pool, Ponty Leisure Centre, Trebanos, Clydach, Ynystawe, Ynystanglws and Tircanol. Pics...

6 March 09, Dinner. The annual dinner at the Red Lion Hotel Morriston, organised by Spencer Williams, was enjoyed by 60 members, family and friends. Life President, Ray Lockyer, presented trophies as follows:

Len Edwards Shield for Clubman of the Year - John P Rees
Spencer Williams Shield for the angler with most points at club events during 2008 - Gary Davies
EPH Hopkin Cup for the angler with the highest aggregate weight at club events during 2008 - Roy Pascoe
Mark Evans Trophy for the winner on the 2008 trip to Brenig - Roy Pascoe
Powell Pandy Bowl for the winner on the 2008 trip to Elan Valley - John Rees
WFFA Luron Shield for the winner on the 2008 trip to Llysyfran - Nicky Roberts
HR Jones Shield for the winner on the 2008 trip to Draycote - John M Graham
MFL Cup for the winner on the 2008 trip to Builth Wells - Ray Lockyer
Graham Boat Shield for the winner on the 2008 trip to Llandegfedd - Gary Davies
Junior Casting Cup for the winner of the junior category in the 2008 club casting competition - Jake Graham

6 February 09, Auction. The annual tackle auction was held at the Vardre RFC. Over 200 lots were sold with a value of more than £1,100. The club merely introduces buyers and sellers and charges nothing for staging the auction.

26 November 08, Annual General Meeting. The 63rd AGM at Vardre RFC heard about and discussed:

the recent death of Glan Davies, long-standing member and former Chairman;
the formation of the new company;
restocking - brown trout stocked into rivers will in future need to be triploids, following changes in Environment Agency policy; more...
fishing in 2008 - the trout fishing early on had been quite reasonable and the wet summer had meant good salmon fishing; sewin reports had been patchy but one member had landed a specimen of 15lb 2oz. from club waters;
membership had stood up again this year; a special thanks to HR Jones for their efforts in selling club permits; Siop Y Pentref in Ynystawe would be closing soon;
Ynysforgan Farm water - this had apparently been lost to the Society following a dispute over ownership;
accounts - both PASAS and TDFA had made healthy surpluses and were in a strong financial position;
appointments - Dave Hooper took over from Ray Christopher as Chairman; Roy Pascoe became Vice Chairman; more...
TDFA - Bill Grey was standing down; Richard Hale would be the new TDF Sec and would run the new TDF sub-committee with Dr John Thomas;
membership subscriptions - these would remain unchanged for 2009; more...
calendar of events for 2009 - more...

29 October 08, New limited company formed. Pontardawe and Swansea Angling Society and Tawe Disabled Fishers Association come together and form a limited company Pontardawe and Swansea Angling Society Ltd. More...

August 08, Record Sea Trout. Daniel Edwards took this superb fish of 15lbs 2oz on the Tawe on 8th August.

2008, International Success. A number of club members represented Wales in International Flyfishing matches in 2008:

Jake Graham fished in the Youth International at Lough Conn in Ireland, where Wales came second in a close match (1st Ireland, 2nd Wales, 3rd Scotland, 4th England).
Frances Davies and Shelly Walters fished in the Ladies International at the Lake of Menteith in Scotland, where Wales came fourth (1st Scotland, 2nd England, 3rd Ireland, 4th Wales).
Spencer Williams, Martin Graham and Scott Graham fished in the Senior Spring International on Lough Melvin in Ireland. Spencer captained the team which won gold, with Ireland very close behind them (1st Wales, 2nd Ireland, 3rd Scotland, 4th England).
Macauley Tucker, one of our junior members, was Welsh Under 14 Flytying Champion.