AFTER the fantastic Bank Holiday weather, it was back to the reality of Welsh upland weather last week at Llyn Brenig, writes seasonal ranger JIM JENKINS.

The wind was up and there were some squally showers to contend with. Sailing club bay proved to be very popular with the fishermen during the week as they sought shelter from the wind.

Fortunately, the fish also seemed to favour sailing club bay as well, which resulted in some good fishing.

The sun did break through on occasion, but there has definitely been a drop in the air temperature and it felt decidedly chilly at times. This is to be expected as we are now approaching autumn, hard to believe but as they say, ‘time waits for no man’.

With the water temperature standing at a steady 15C for a number of weeks (although it is starting to drop), we have had almost perfect conditions for the development and growth of the fish on the fish farm and as a result, there were some fantastic fish stocked and caught during week.

There doesn’t seem to have been a preferred method for catching the fish, with some catching fish using a DI5 line, whereas others are still catching fish using Daddy Long Legs on the top.

It seems that the stocked fish are staying deep, while the older fish are still on the surface.

There have, however, been plenty of fish caught with a rod average of 4.1 fish per angler testifying to this fact.

Amongst several good-sized fish caught during week, the biggest one weighed in at 5lbs and it was caught by Mr Meyrick fishing for the WGFC.

Again, there were some very good bag sizes with the biggest one for six fish caught being claimed by Mike Aspden and weighing in at 17lbs.

The positive comments about the fishing continue to pour in.

One angler was particularly happy, writing: "Living the dream!"

Others talked about the "hard fighting fish" and the "great quality fish".

It is also nice to know that our customer service training is bearing fruit, with Bob Williams writing: "Great fishing, great welcome and great information, much appreciated."

Obviously company money well spent!

With a number of different methods being used to catch the fish, there has obviously been a variety of different flies being used.

The top flies have been damsel, daddy long legs, sedge, Mrs Simpson, hopper, buzzer, green and black muddler and various blobs and boobies.

The hot spots for boats were tower bay, the dam wall, sailing club bay and the visitors' centre.

Bank fishermen have had success in sailing club bay, the visitors' centre, water sports bay and the Brenig arm.

It was brought home to me last week after all the divisions and uncertainties that seem to be facing us over our political, social and economic futures, how fishing at Llyn Brenig can bring people together.

Fishermen have a common interest and, as a result, it is inclusive of all, there’s no class divisions when the talk is of what the best fly to use is or whether the fish are down or on the top.

I was talking to a regular fisherman who took up fly fishing after going through some very difficult times.

He came to the Brenig and was having some problems catching a fish. However, he began talking to another recent convert to fly fishing who suggested that he use a particular fly and they struck up an immediate rapport.

Lo and behold, the fly did the trick and the fisherman was hooked on fly fishing.

The friendship lasted and on the way, they gathered together a number of other fishing friends who now meet regularly at the Brenig to talk, have a cup of tea and they even sometimes get around to do a bit of fishing.

This to me is one of the major benefits of fishing; it forms friendships, helps people overcome loneliness, alleviates stress and can help to put life into some sort of perspective.

This month’s catch return prize winner is Brian Parry, from Bala, who wins a free boat for the day.

Tight Lines.