BY the middle of last week, I was beginning to think that this week’s fishing report for Llyn Brenig would be the shortest one ever, writes seasonal ranger JIM JENKINS.

This was because the lake was being lashed by heavy rain and strong winds and there was hardly a fisherman in sight.

However, by the end of the week the winds abated, the rain eased and the fishermen emerged from their hiding places rubbing their eyes in disbelief as if Hades himself had just passed by.

So much for an Indian summer!

Once the fishermen had returned to the idea of fishing again, the week turned out to be quite a productive one, with some excellent dry fly fishing taking place on Saturday, proving that good things come to those that wait.

Considering the weather that we have been experiencing, the rod average of 4.2 fish per angler was very favourable and there were several fishermen who had an excellent day's fishing.

In fact, Peter Morris had two excellent days of fishing last week fishing off Hafod Lom and the coves, using a floating line and a dabbler.

He landed 11 fish on one day and 12 on the second day.

Malcolm Rough also enjoyed two days of fishing last week and he enjoyed similar results to Mr Morris, landing the biggest fish of the week in the process.

This was a 3lbs 8ozs rainbow.

The biggest bag of the week was claimed by M Swift, from Holywell, and it weighed in at 14lbs 10ozs, all caught on a black pennell.

The week ahead is also looking very promising with the weather set to improve and with some excellent conditions in place for some great dry fly fishing.

The top flies last week were dabblers, cormorants, orange fritz, black pennell, hopper, bibio and various blobs and boobies.

The hot spots for bank fishermen have been Hafod Lom, the coves, tower bay and sailing club bay.

Boat fishermen found success in tower bay, the visitors' centre, off Hafod Lom and Nant Glyn shore.

There are a number of changes taking place over the coming months.

Due to Wales Rally GB passing through Llyn Brenig, there won’t be any access to bank fishing on the east shore from 8am until 2pm on Tuesday, October 2.

There will be limited access on October 4 as well, as fishermen won’t be able to enter the site after 12pm.

On Friday, October 5, the site will be closed to fishing due to the rally taking place at Llyn Brenig.

From October 6-31, the cost of all boats will be reduced to £10.

There will be a limited number of boats available, therefore booking is essential.

The pike season will now run from November 1 until December 31.

The cost for two anglers and a boat will be £55, and £38 for one angler and a boat.

Pike fishing will not be available between January 1 and March 16, 2019.

There will also be a bank fishing competition – the Christmas Bash – on December 27, starting at 9am and finishing at 2pm.

The entry cost is £20, which includes a permit, a prize draw and soup and roll at the end of the competition.

The winners will receive a number of excellent prizes, which include a rod and reel donated by Scierra, vouchers from Fulling Mill and a free boat for a day from Llyn Brenig.

This year, boat fishing will finish on December 31 and it will resume again at the start of the season, which will be on March 16, 2019.

There will still be fishing from the bank throughout the winter.

This will be my last fishing report this year as the seasonal rangers are regrettably finishing at the end of this month.

Seasonal Rangers Paul, Llion, Amy and myself would like to thank all the fishermen for their cooperation, good humour and the biscuits.

We wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

The main gates will be shutting at 6.30pm this week and all boats need to be back on the jetty by 6pm.

Tight Lines