APRIL is a notoriously unpredictable month as far as the weather is concerned, although there is an argument that every month is becoming unpredictable, reports seasonal ranger JIM JENKINS.

After the fantastic Bank Holiday weekend that we experienced here at Llyn Brenig, we were hoping that the weather would settle down and we would start to enjoy some nice balmy spring-like days.

However, the weather turned really cold during the week, particularly in the morning, and by the weekend Storm Hannah had arrived with a vengeance wreaking havoc along her way.

I think as the storm was blowing in from the west, Llyn Brenig escaped the worst of it, but the damage had been done in terms of the number of fishermen coming to the Brenig as they had looked at the forecast and decided that discretion was the better part of valour and stayed home.

The change in the weather and the cooler temperatures tended to keep the fish quite low in the water and quite far off the bank.

As a result, the bank fishermen had a disadvantage over those in the boats, but even the boat fishermen didn’t find it easy.

The week’s rod average stood at 3.9 fish per angler, which was a very healthy average considering the somewhat difficult conditions at times.

I do, however, always think that the rod average can be misleading as it depends on a number of variables, the most obvious one is whether you are fishing from the bank or a boat and the other one is how long you fish for.

Some fishermen will fish from early morning until late evening, whereas others may only have a few hours of fishing.

Now tell me who, statistically, is liable to catch the most fish?

What the rod average does tell you, though, is that fish are being caught and it does give you an indicator of the trends over a period of time.

Now, the catch returns make for far more interesting reading and give us all sorts of information, so keep them coming in and feel free to make any comments that you like as I can assure you that they are all read with interest.

We would also appreciate any photographs of the fish that you have caught.

The catch return draw was made during the week and the winner of a free boat for the day was P Carrington, from Holyhead.

Although fishermen may have been struggling a little in terms of the number of fish being caught (although in my book anything over one is a bonus), there can be no question that there were some fantastic fish caught in terms of size.

At the start of the week, our very own ranger Paul Lonsdale was optimistic that his lovely 3lbs 8ozs rainbow would be the biggest fish of the week, but then G Thomas caught a lovely 4lbs 8ozs.

However, he was surpassed by Mick Reade, who caught a 5lbs 10ozs rainbow near to the tower.

Surely this would be the biggest fish of the week?

But no, hold the front page, as Simon Davies, from Bodfari, landed a magnificent 10lbs Rainbow on a size 12 damsel on the top dropper using a floating line and fishing off the bank at the ring of stones.

The biggest bag of the week was claimed by Ivor Jones, from Llanrwst, who recorded a bag of 13lbs 12ozs.

The top flies during the week were buzzers, cat's whiskers, black and green muddler, black pennel, damsel, cormorant and various blobs and boobies.

The hot spots for boats have been tower bay, the visitors' centre and sailing club bay.

Bank Anglers have had success in sailing club bay, Hafod Lom and the ring of stones.

Don’t forget about the Llyn Brenig ladies' day on Saturday, May 11. It will take place from 10am until 4pm and will include tuition on fly tying, casting, rod set up, boat safety and a trip to the fish farm - all for £15.

There are limited places, so please book through the fishing shop.

Tight Lines.