LAST week saw Llyn Brenig at its magnificent best, writes seasonal ranger JIM JENKINS.

A beautiful bank holiday Monday was followed by some glorious days at the end of the week.

The middle part of the week was somewhat cooler and cloudier, but we will forget about that and revel in the fact that we have had a glimpse of those glorious summer days that lie ahead.

The water temperature did drop during the middle of the week, but it is now back up to 10C, which has meant that the fish are lying higher in the water and a DI3 line would be recommended.

Last week, the rod average was a respectable 4.5 fish per angler, which indicates that the lake has been fishing really well.

It is easy to get despondent when some fishermen seem to be catching fish with every cast, whilst you are struggling to catch anything. However, very often things even themselves out in life and if you persevere, then the rewards will come.

Graham Land certainly persevered and he was rewarded with "the best day so far this season".

He was able to land six fish for a bag weight of 12lbs 6ozs, which included a lovely 3lbs 14ozs rainbow, which was the biggest fish of the week.

A Careless also had a very rewarding day and he claimed the biggest bag of the week, which tipped the scales at 18lbs.

This included four rainbows weighing over 3lbs.

Tom Sinton reported a fish that he’d caught which had pike damage on both sides that indicated a jaw bite of nine inches across.

As a result, we are thinking of buying a bigger patrol boat!

Wirral Game Fishing Club held a competition at Llyn Brenig on Sunday.

They were blessed with a lovely day and if they didn’t catch any fish, they certainly caught the sun.

Fourteen boat fishermen took part, plus four off the bank.

Gary Davies took the top rod by catching six fish for 11lbs 2ozs.

Steve Liggins caught the biggest fish, a 2lbs 4ozs rainbow.

The outstanding boat was shared by Paul Bladen and Chris White with a combined weight 18lbs 2ozs.

There are now a series of buoys around the osprey platform and we would request that fishermen stay outside this area, as the ospreys are at a critical period in their breeding programme.

A number of dead pike have been found around the edges of the lake. These fish are an integral part of the lakes eco system and if caught, they need to be returned safely to the lake.

David Tudor, who has been working here at Llyn Brenig as a seasonal ranger, has been appointed as a full-time ranger.

We send him our congratulations and I am sure that he will continue to make a valuable contribution to the development of Llyn Brenig.

We have five boats in various states of repair for sale.

Bids are sealed bids and need to be in by Sunday, June 10.

This month’s catch return draw winner is Peter Morris, from Ellesmere Port, who will receive a free boat for a day.

We have a number of introduction to fly fishing sessions coming up, which include fly tying and casting lessons.

Details can be obtained from the visitors' centre.

The top flies last week were cat’s whiskers, damsel, tadpole, buzzers, green and black fritz, pheasant’s tail, Montana, beetle and nymph, along with various blobs and boobies.

The hot spots have been the ring of stones, Nant Glyn shore, Hafod Lom and tower bay for both boat and bank fishermen.

The fish seem to have moved out of the Brenig Arm as the temperature of the lake has increased.

The main gates will be shutting at 7.45pm this week and all boats need to be back on the jetty by 7.15pm.

Tight Lines