Fishing
Angling success depends on local knowledge, so make the most of your fishing experience by engaging the services of an experienced ghillie along with his knowledge of fishing techniques and the best local places to find the fish. Fishing with a ghillie is also an excellent way to learn more about the natural environment.
Learn the secrets of successful fly fishing, enjoy guided trips, locally-based holidays and fly fishing throughout Wales for trout, brown trout, grayling and salmon, amongst many others. Although grayling are not native to Welsh rivers, where they have been introduced they tend to do very well. The Welsh Dee, the Wye and the Severn are all noted grayling rivers in their middle and upper reaches. Grayling offer great sporting opportunities from late-August to mid-March.
Anglers don't just enjoy themselves: they are at the front-line of river conservation. They have an interest in keeping rivers clean, well-stocked, and unpolluted.
Don't forget a licence from the Environment Agency is needed for coarse and non-migratory trout fishing.
West Wales is a prime location for anglers wanting great sport and rewarding fishing opportunities on the rivers, lakes and the sea. Sea fishing, course fishing and game fishing are available in various locations throughout Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. For much more information about fishing and water sports, etc. check out the website for the Pembrokeshire National Park at www.pembrokeshire.org.uk
Amongst places not to miss are:
Cardigan or Aberteifi an attractive market town at the north end of the Pembrokeshire Peninsula where the Teifi estuary flows into Cardigan Bay. Sitting on the River Teifi, Cardigan has a very long history of sea faring. During the 19th Century it was one of the busiest ports in the UK and a place from which a great many people embarked for the new world. Unfortunately early in the twentieth century, the river silted up and the port declined.
Cardigan also has great historical significance to Welsh culture and is the birthplace of the Eisteddfod in 1176. Its castle, overlooking the river, defended the town through the centuries and after years of decline is being restored and will undoubtedly play a significant part in Cardigan's future as tourism becomes increasingly important.
While it has a number of buildings of historical significance that have recently been brought back to their original glory, Cardigan also has 21st century facilities for the visitor to enjoy. Cardigan is also a great place from which to explore the rest of West Wales.
During the summer months Cardigan Castle invites you to step back in time on Medieval Day. In August, the popular River and Food Festival brings together the diversity of foods grown and prepared in the area, with events and attractions for the whole family to enjoy.
Being on an estuarial river, Cardigan can offer a plethora of outdoor activities, breathtaking views from the coastal path, surfing and other water sports, fishing in the rivers and the sea, etc. Patch beach and the estuary are a pleasant 2 mile walk away and a haven for wildlife. And, Cardigan Bay is famous for its dolphins.
If watching all sorts of wildlife is on your list of things to do during your holiday, Cardigan Wildlife Park is another excellent site to visit. It has a modern information centre with a glass-fronted cafe offering you views of the wildlife park and wetlands.
Traditionally used for fishing coracles are small boats consisting of tarred material over a light wooden or basketwork frame and in some areas are still used today. Coracles are commonly associated with Welsh rivers and those in Scotland and Ireland, where the craft are known as Curraghs. Coracles have been used throughout the centuries for water transport and museum collections include examples from India, Iraq, Tibet, Vietnam and North America. Coracle makers can still be found today in the villages of Cenarth, Llechryd and Cilgerran. During the summer coracles are often on the river and rides can be arranged.
Cilgerran Castle, situated in Cilgerran, a town in Pembrokeshire, overlooks the gorge of the River Teifi and has spectacular views of the surrounded wooded countryside. Canoe trips can be arranged and you'll glide gently down stretches of the Teifi, through dramatic gorges and if you are very quiet and lucky, you may even see otters fishing in the river.
The site of Cilgerran Castle, built in 1100, is said to be the place from which Owain of Powys abducted the beautiful Nest in 1109.
Pembrokeshire, the county south of Cardigan, has a full week of fish related activities and eating opportunities. From 27th June to 5th July there will be fishing competitions, guided walks, river and sea trips, coastal foraging, and beach fun, water sport tasters plus lots of opportunities to taste and buy locally caught fish and shellfish. For more details check out www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk.
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