Sunday Afternoon At Graiglwyd Springs In North Wales

Sunday Afternoon At Graiglwyd Springs In North Wales

I am very lucky where I live only a shot drive to Llyn Brenig but as the winter comes, I focus more on the small waters the 2 I try to fish regular are Graiglwyd Springs and Tan-y-Mynydd. This afternoon I fancied a few hours at Graiglwyd Springs the weather looked great with the sun shining. I arrived at the fishery just before 12 and the fishery was very busy with 14 fishing and only one spot for me. The view from the lake out over the sea to puffin island is breathtaking epically on a nice day like today.

Armed with a large array of small water flies that Alec Bowler choose from The Fly Shop. I set up 3 rods as I had a few ideas and flies I wanted to try. The first rod I set up was an 8 WT with an Airflo Di 3 40+ and a blue snake this setup has always worked really well for me here. Second set up was an Airflo Slow Glass on this I put 2 worms an Olive red tag worm and a Brandling Worm on the top dropper. Last set up was a Floater, the Airflo SuperFlo which is a great line and casts extremely well. I set the bung up with a Yellow fever set at 4 foot.

I was slightly hemmed into one of the corners with wind coming into me. Due to the position people either side where casting towards me leaving me very little clear water. I started on the worms casting a long line to try and fins some clear water. With high expectations after 10 mins I had not had a pull not the start I wanted. People where catching by me and there where a good number of fish rising. I changed to the bung thinking the static option would be the best but after 15 mins and no chances time to change again. On with the blue snake and Di 3 40+. I was able to cast this a long way into the wind I was sure this would be the answer. After 20 mins I had only managed 2 half-hearted pulls. A couple of people had now left and a little space opened up on the bank so a quick move was in order. Casting a long line towards the pier a slow roly poly I had my first proper take eventually going tight after a few good hits. A good battle and the nicest looking Tiger trout I have ever caught almost a cross with a blue trout. For the next 40 mins I chopped and changed using all 3 rods and lots of fly’s patterns for only the odd bump.

The afternoon was not going to plan the sun was shining and people had stopped catching time for a rethink. I decided to put a candy split blob on the point and a size 12 silver collar vicar on the dropper on the slow glass. The wind was pushing straight into my face and making turn over hard but by shorting my cast and making sure I hit the reel I was able to get the turnover I wanted. Fishing extremely slow I got my first lock up a nice-looking rainbow on the buzzer. Over the next 20 mins I managed another 5 rainbows all on the candy split blob I also lost and missed a few more.

It had now just gone 3 and with only 4 anglers left there was a lot of space I decided to head to the other side of the lake and have the wind of my back for the last hour. I was able to cast a full line here and get right in the middle where the fish had been moving. After 20 minutes I had not had a touch I was really shocked as it all looked perfect over here. As I was having a think one of the other anglers hit into a good fish on the pier after a good fight his son netted the fish. It was a beauty and they weighed it just over 12 pounds.

I decided to spend the last half hour on the bung with the yellow fever. The Airflo SuperFlo really does cast like a dream I was able to cast the full line with ease and with the wind of my back turnover was great. Now getting in an area of the lake that had not been fished I started to get lots of takes. It was the most frustrating fishing I have had in along time. At one point every cast the bung went under fish on and off all I could put it down to was the range I was fishing at I did manage to land one in the end.

So, after 4 hours fishing, I had managed 7 fish a testing session with a lot of chances I will be back to try and refine my long-range bung fishing for sure.