WITH the Llyn Brenig ospreys contemplating a return to Africa in the near future and with teachers sharpening their pencils ready for the new term ahead, there is that feeling that summer is drawing to a close, writes seasonal ranger JIM JENKINS.

However, with the tabloid media predicting an unprecedented Indian summer, then maybe all is not lost and we may yet well enjoy some months of decent weather.

Last week at Llyn Brenig was mixed, with one or two glorious days which saw blue skies and sunshine, and one or two days with overcast skies and light winds.

Overall, it was not a bad week at all for fishing and messing around in a boat!

With a rod average at a very respectable 4.0, the fishing was indeed a veritable delight, as it was perfect for those fly fishing purists who revel in fishing the dry fly on top of the water.

The heather fly is still in evidence and the weather has been very favourable for fishing on the dries.

In fact, the only difficulty has been the fact that there has been so much natural fly life around that it has been difficult to entice the fish away from the natural food source onto the fisherman’s imitation patterns.

However, perseverance is the key factor and once you find a pattern that works, then the rewards are there.

For example, John Davies, from Montgomery, had a very successful day at the start of the week catching some lovely fish using the dry fly and ending up with a bag weighing in at 18lbs for six fish caught.

Gordon Thomas also had an excellent day, fishing on a dry heather fly and catching 10 fish in total.

As with the previous week, the big fish are still much in evidence.

Anglesey's D Peers, Denbigh's Steve Davies and Dave Williams, from Bangor on Dee, all caught fish weighing 4lbs or more.

However, the biggest fish caught last week was by Emrys Jones, from Llandudno Junction, fishing in sailing club bay and landing a lovely 6lbs rainbow.

The biggest bag this week was recorded by Tony Nicholls, who was fishing in water sports bay, and it weighed in at a very impressive 22lbs.

The top flies last week turned out to be daddy long legs, the heather fly, sedge, black hopper, buzzers, fritz, Kate McLaren and various blobs and boobies.

As a consequence of the heather fly being blown off the north end of the lake, Nant Glyn shore and the ring of stones have seen some good sport for the bank fishermen.

Other hot spots for bank fishing last week were sailing club bay, water sports bay, the visitors' centre, Hafod Lom and tower bay.

Boat fishing hot spots have been in the north end of the lake by barrow island and along the Nant Glyn Shore, as well as sailing club bay, tower bay and along the dam.

Wales Rally GB will once again be taking place at Llyn Brenig at the beginning of October.

As a result, there will be some disruption to the fishing. Further details will be given nearer to the date.

Not only are we hosting a World Rally stage but, still on an international note, this coming Friday the WSTAA international fly fishing competition will be coming to the Brenig.

Teams from Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England will be competing in this prestigious event and we at the Brenig are delighted to be able to hold it here.

The teams will be practising all week, but there are still boats available for the general public.

Another date for the diary will be the first week in November, when pike week will be taking place.

This is a much anticipated event and it is important that you book a boat for this event in advance.

The main gates will be shutting at 8pm this week and all boats need to be back on the jetty by 7.30pm.

Tight Lines