Alwen Tactics and Tips Please

[fredmiers]

It really is a lovely part of our fishing. It is so many years since I fished this sort of river could somebody give me some ideas as to how to proceed. Flies, methods etc. Thanks in advance. Fred.

[centrepin]

Brilliant question and one that i need some info on too.......

I would like to also fish the alwen but do not have the confidence to do so , when to go,what time of the year , what flies to use, bait etc

so can some one please advise and help us novices , thanks


cen

[frankthesurf]

I fished the Alwen many times, after doing it the wrong way!
I start at the bottom and work my way upstream, the river needs to be wadable (is that a real word).
I use a 6' rod and the 'duo' method.
Klinkhammer on dropper, PTN on point.
small amount of line out and use a casting upstream method into pools, riffles in fact anywhere!!!
Cast and let drift for very short time 5 secs probably!! then retrieve
Stealth is important.
You will get tangled in trees, you will get nettled, you will bash your self about (get some kneepads Aldi £2.99) but it's a great adventure.
In fact I've got it bad and now looking at some stupid steams in the mountains that need abseiling into!!

There is a great video on small streams
River Academy Small stream fishing. This is well worth a watch.!!
Hope that helps.

[fredmiers]

It certainly does help and for sure I was doiing it all wrong. As for wading, not sure I can as I have developed a nasty wobble/tremor on my left side which thankfully is not Parkinsons but it will definately have to be bank for me and a Rappala in the bigger pools when the Salmon arrive. Anybody had a salmon from the Alwen in living memory?

[tubefly]

Two were reported in 2000 and one in 2010.

Unfortunately not by me

Harry

[geofflittler]

A good friend of mine by the name of Lawrie Crawford who at the age of 83 sadly now considers himself too old to fish tells me that once while fishing the Alwen using a Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear for trout he managed to hook into a salmon which he estimates at over 20lbs. Ordinarily I would take such wild reports with a pinch of proverbial. Lawrie however is not given to casual exaggeration. Although in most things in life I am at best cynical I am on this issue inclined to believe him. He tells me that he saw the fish closely enough to make a very well educated estimate. This was before the fish broke him off and proceeded about its fishy business.

[Tango]

Don't be fooled into thinking small river, small flies...... the biggest cased caddis I've ever seen came out of the Ceirw and there's stonefly nymphs in there and the Alwen that you wouldn't want to meet on a dark night.
Usual suspects, caddis (cased and caseless)/stonefly/olives/BWO/heptas/gammarus etc.

[allen]

I have been fishing this river for many years. Use the same flies as you would use on the Dee. The only difference being they move across the water a bit quicker so mending the line and accurate casting are a must. Llanfihangel has a lovely stretch that the club used to allow Corwen to share tickets sadly this is no longer the case. You cans till get day tickets I think from Cerrig-y-drudion AA www.marinewales.com/clubs/89-Cerrig-y-Drudion-Angling-Association
The river has a good run of sewin, also contains a family of otters. Enjoy the fishing it does not get much better for wild fishing. Sadly I broke my hip cycling in Jan so out of action for a few months while the pins take hold. Hope to be back soon.

[centrepin]

many thanks to all for the help and advice..............will give it a go later on this year
cheers

centrepin

[sjones5421]

had some cracking days on the alwen on a little number four weight rod using a sparkle gnat variant with deer hair sparse hackle
dont be fooled though there are some big fish lurking in the shadows and great care entering swims has been my approach
watch for the thieving mink taking your catch as you bring it to the net have lost a lot of brownies to one such brazen creature that followed me for most of the afternoon