As you may know the Conwy Valley Fisheries and Conservation Association has been running a smolt release scheme for the Conwy catchment for the last 10 years. Although the help of the Environment Agency's Mawddach Hatchery and it's staff has been vitally important throughout the scheme, the finance required to support the project, amounting to over £50,000, has been raised by the Association and this has resulted in the release over the years of nearly 200,000 salmon juveniles in various stages of development.

It is possible that this scheme could be responsible in part for the fact that the Conwy system is the only river in Wales to be exceeding its spawning targets, and therefore free of the threat of the imposition of the mandatory catch and release by the EA. Another gratifying fact is this, we are lucky enough to have a natural broodstock collection pond.

When returning fish are running in high water some swim into this pond, from where some are taken to the hatchery to provide fertilized eggs. In recent years an average of 20% of all the fish found in ths collection pond have been our reared fish returning from sea to spawn.

We know this because in recent years, some of our smolts have been fin clipped when they were Parr, and before their introduction to our smolt release ponds located at the top of the river system.

They are fin clipped so that they can be recognised as "our fish " on their return. The clipped fin does in no way harm the fish or affect the fish .

In 2007 , only 5000 of the 10,000 smolts released were fin clipped, but some of these and others from 2006 could be encountered this season. This year ( 2008) 19000 smolts will be fin clipped. In all years more juvenile un-finclipped fish have also been released earlier in each year, so the full impact of of our efforts will never be accurately assessed.

The Betws-y-Coed Angling Club is a member of our Association . What we want you to do is is to provide us with evidence that this project is working by reporting any capture of a fin-clipped Salmon to Tony or Sian Godbert.

The adipose fin will not simply be there so please examine your Salmon! Please realise that survivors of these fish could return for the next few years, so keep on the lookout. The funds required to continue this project are becoming very difficult to secure and we have now turned to the newly formed Clwyd and Conwy Rivers Trust to provide funding . However your interest and cooperation will assist our efforts to keep going , hopefully providing the Trust with the evidence of our success.

The bag limit of 4 fish per day on lakes ,is now to change. I f an Angler wishes to continue to fish after catching 4 fish they can now continue to fish with barbless hooks on flies and spinners. Strictly no bait .

All fish must be returned with the least amount of handling. Please wet hands before releasing fish.

Members must not sell any fish that they have caught.

No night fishing on the lakes and members must finish fishing by 9pm.

Members must use only one rod and line at any one time. No ground bait to be used.

A breach of these rules will result in exclusion from the club

Use of boats on Llyn Goddion Duon . because of lack of use last season , we will no longer be charging for the use of boats.

Please phone Sian to arrange collection of the key ( over 18's only)

Don't forget Life Jackets.

Litter is now causing great concern. A large amount of food wrappers, drinks cans and bottles are being left at the lakesides,that many members are cleaning up on a regular basis. Not only does it look untidy but it is also very hazardous to wildlife ( especially fihing nylon )

Please help and take any rubbish home for disposal, or leave in tied up bags by the Car Park and we will dispose of it.

Emails. If anyone would like to have their Newsletter sent vial email to cut down on administration,please let Sian know your email address

You can email Sian at  Sian