"I've been Secretary of Llanidloes and District Angling Association for 31 years. We have about 130 fully-paid up members and during the season around 3,500 visitors come here.
The Angling Club was formed back in 1921 and at that time, members would fish the local rivers - the Severn, the Clywedog and the Dulas.
In 1969, the Clywedog Dam was built and for the first five years, the lease was held by the Montgomeryshire Federation of Anglers - a combination of Llanidloes, Newtown, Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion angling associations. Since then, the lease has been held solely by the Llanidloes Angling Association.
To me, the Clywedog is the most beautiful lake in Wales, offering stunning scenery and wonderful fishing. You can see Red Kites, Peregrine Falcons, Buzzards, Canada Geese and in early summer, the Osprey calls here on its way up to Scotland.
For the more experienced fisherman, it's one of the best places - if not the best place - to fish in Wales. Every season, the association releases about 30,000 fish into the lake. We have a complex of rearing cages on the lake and all our work is done voluntarily.
Competitions are held most weekends during the season. The European Open is staged the second weekend in June when around 150 competitors from all over the world descend on the town. All the local hotels and B&Bs are full so the lake is very good for the local economy.
One highlight for me was the visit by former US President Jimmy Carter in 1987. He was staying in Tregaron with a friend and asked Moc Morgan (one of Wales' top anglers) to take him out for a day's fishing. Moc rang me and asked if he could bring him to Clywedog. He told me to keep the visit quiet - no press, no publicity.
Jimmy Carter arrived in Llanidloes with 12 bodyguards. He came in the boat with Moc and myself. The bodyguards followed in two other boats until Jimmy Carter yelled "For God's sake get away and let us enjoy the fishing"!
It was an excellent day. Jimmy Carter caught one fish and another got away. After his visit, we named one of the bays "Carter's Bay" - it's the third bay up as you go towards Staylittle.
As well as fishing, there are also some lovely walks in the area - around the Clywedog Dam and through the Hafren Forest where you can visit the source of the River Severn. There are cycling paths too in the Hafren Forest.
I like to come fishing during the early evening. You get peace and tranquility. Fishing takes your mind off everything - any worries you've got are gone when you've gone fishing." Dalis Davies
Fishing Facts
A permit is required to fish the Clywedog Dam. Fishing Permits are available from Mrs Gough at the Traveller's Rest in Llanidloes; Woosnam & Davies Newsagent, Long Bridge Street, Llanidloes; the fishing tackle shop in Newtown; Kingfisher Angling in Shrewsbury; Reads Garage, Machynlleth. Boat Permits are available from the Travellers' Rest in Llanidloes.2008 Permit Fees: Season Permit - £156.50; Day Permit - £13 per person; Boat Permit - £10 per boat. Brown Trout Season: 18 March - 7 October Rainbow Trout Season: 18 March to 30 November.
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your comments
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We try to publish as many comments as we can but unfortunately, due to the volume of comments we receive every day, we cannot guarantee that all comments submitted will be published
Tom Jones
It was very lovely there and i had a good time at the sailing club falling in
Thu Jun 25 20:29:49 2009
Shane Dyke (Llanidloes)
The Dam is a beautiful place to spend time and enjoy the tranquility of our majestic countryside. After many years of thinking about fishing the Dam, 2009 will be my first year. Totaly inexperienced in fly fishing, but who cares, with a view like you get up there, you could be in New Zealand!
Mon Apr 20 09:43:32 2009
Neil Potts, Wordsley
fished the lake for many years, fantastic sport, good value. i even won the don bailey memorial trophy in 1980. i would be interested to know if the europeon open is still on this year..
Sun Mar 8 17:29:45 2009
Gareth(Gags)Owen Newtown
I have fished Clywedog since moving to Newtown in 1976.During this time I have fished many other venues,but fishing Clywedog does take some beating.Catching fish at this tranquil breathtaking reservoir is a bonus as non fish days are just as rewarding.Earlier this month I visited the Clywedog Hatchery as it was an open day.The staff were very informative taking us through the life cycle of the Salmon and interestingly the fresh water Pearl mussel which is an endangered species.Tight lines roll on the 18th March.
Sun Mar 8 17:20:08 2009
Reg Hodges, Aberbechan
I have fished the dam for 40 years so i think myself very lucky. I have not fished here for 6 years because I am now disabled and in a wheelchaair. Last year I came up a few times to fish but am very upset. There is only one disabled spot by the boats if the lake is low it is no good.
Mon Feb 16 15:56:48 2009
Robert Scott
Can anyone tell me about Pike fishing on Clywedog? I love pike fishing and even fancy a crack at them on the fly.
Fri Dec 12 09:24:49 2008
Bernie Higgins, Shrewsbury
As a fly fisherman, and also someone who worked on the construction of the Clywedog Dam, I have visited Clywedog annualy for many years and can not think of any place that i would rather cast a fly. A fantastic fishery with beautiful views and fantastic people, what more could anyone wish for.
Sun Nov 9 21:20:17 2008
Andy Dakin, Birmingham
I have been fishing at Clywedog since I was thirteen years old and twenty years later still look forward to coming back again. I have some fond memories fishing with my father here and the drive down from the midlands is always worth it for some of the most spectacular fishing and scenery in Wales.
Mon Aug 18 09:43:19 2008
Bryan Thomas of Newtown
I have just started fly fishing and fished Clywedog Twice now. The fishing matches the scenery and by the way the scenery is outstanding. It is the best value fishing lake in the British Isles. Anglers are always friendly and helpful to starters like myself. There are many a tale told on the bank by the seasoned anglers which make a day at Clywedog always a fond memory.
Mon Apr 14 09:34:11 2008
Steve (Newtown)
I travel around a lot for my fly fishing habit but i have yet to find anywhere as relaxing and scenic as Llyn Clywedog, add to that a few top quality trout and you have what i consider a perfect days fishing..
Sun Mar 16 13:12:17 2008
Ron West from Kingussie formally of Bow Street
Age has moved me from Bow Street to Kingussie to live with my daughter close to the R.Spey. I have not found any water here to equal the fishing from a boat on Clywedog. Whether one has a bag limit or a blank day, the peace and relaxation drifting in a boat on Clywedog cannot be beaten.
Tue May 15 12:23:32 2007
Elwyn Jones from Canada, formerly Llani.
As a boy, growing up in the 40s and 50s I played along the Clywedog beneath what is now the resevoir. My fishing was not true "angling" but "tickling". The trout at that time were not introduced but were free runners. Ah, the memories.
Mon Mar 19 09:47:05 2007
Adrian Jones, Llanidloes
The clywedog is the place i learnt to fly fish, and even as a beginner, it didnt take me long to get my first rainbow, a cracking 2 pounder!
I advise anyone who has not fished the clywedog, to give it a try, it is such good value for money.
Mon Mar 12 09:48:09 2007
Graham Ryan, from, Manchester
I've fished the dam, about four times now, and I can't wait to get back there, I've got withdrawl symptoms, next time I'm going to try the boat's.
The area and scenery , are spectacular,and the people in and around Llanidloes, are really helpful and friendly, as I've said, I can't wait to get back there.
Mon Feb 12 10:19:30 2007
Adrian Jones. Balgaveny, Aberdeenshire
Llyn Clywedog was where I started lake fly fishing many moons ago. Since moving up to Aberdeenshire in 2003 I can honestly say I miss the place, no other lake comes close.
I consider myself a friend and an ex-workmate of Dallas Davies and can only say that his enthusiasm is justified.
Once you have tried Clywedog you will find yourself going back time and time again.
Tue Jan 16 09:32:13 2007
Mike Hoban, Aberystwyth
I have paid good money and travelled far but nothing will surpass Clywedog in the British Isles for its value for money, eg, fish quality, scenery, and management, etc etc, etc, the future home for my ashes when I go to that great trout lake in the sky, I have ate them so they can get there own back, long live Clywedog and Mrs Geoff
Mon Jan 30 00:15:37 2006
Glenn from Telford
I find it very interesting and I find this one of the best dams in Europe!
Thu Dec 16 10:31:28 2004
Albert Watkinson, Cheshire
Unsurpassed location. I had a business there and fished the dam many times. My happy time and thanks to all my friends, Albert
Tue Nov 23 16:54:20 2004
Rachael Jones, Newtown
I've never fished on the lake but learned to sail there. The sailing club is excellent.
The lake is beautiful. Approaching it by the steep road down to the clubhouse early in the morning is a sight to be seen.
Wed Oct 6 09:30:40 2004
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