On a busy day at Llyn Frongoch we decided to give one of the other Aberystwyth Angling Association venues a try. For ease of access and something a little different we opted for Llyn Oerfa. Llyn Oerfa derives it’s name from the Welsh word oerfel meaning cold or coldness and it certainly lives up to its name. The sun was out when we first arrived and had a picnic just below the car parking feasting on the delicious coronation chicken sandwiches bought from the Station Café at Devils Bridge, I have found over the years that catering for fishing trips is a key ingredient to ensuring the participation of my daughters. However, it wasn’t long before the clouds screened out what Easter warmth there was and the prevailing easterly breeze became bitterly cold. Initially this was less of an issue as I fished along spring bank which afforded some protection and casting into the ripple was aided by the breeze at your back. I call it spring bank as Llyn Oerfa is fed by a spring that was submerged on its construction and is about 25m out from the bank. A local farmer that stopped for a chat noted that it was easy to locate in winter as it was the last spot in the lake to freeze and only froze over in exceptionally cold winters.
However, while tackling up after lunch at our picnic spot I watched an Ephemeroptera dun, possibly Siphlonurus lacustris, slowly make its way up the slope flitting from one patch of soft rush to the next. This was in one sense a good and a bad sign – good in that it meant the lake was waking up to spring and producing buzzers and bad in that we had probably missed the morning rise and with the cold wind blowing may have missed the action for the day. Undetered, it was too good a photo opportunity and I set about photographing the dun. On my return to tackling up I then discovered what would be a deciding factor for fishing that day, my trouser legs were covered in small sheep ticks (Ixodes ricinus). In some respects this should be expected as the common land was clearly grazed by sheep and this is not unusual in upland Wales. Between the worsening weather and the prospect of tick bite my daughters decided that reading their kindles in a warm car was the best option for the day leaving me to fish solo. This wasn’t my ideal start to the day either having struggled with post viral chronic fatigue in the past where Lymes disease was the likely cause but decided that with careful management, the warm spring water and ephemeroptera nymphs/duns on the move it might be worth a cast or two or three.
Fishing for several hours along all banks of the lake that are accessible there was no sign of trout rising, jumping or even sighted. The lake holds a head of brown trout and is trickle stocked with brown trout including specimens of 5lb plus. The Aberystwyth Angling Association record had been set here in July 2016 by John Gough who had caught a 9lb 8oz brownie on a size 10 brown nymph of his own design in about 12 inches of water just a meter from the bank (https://www.aber-angling.co.uk/latest-news.html). I believe from discussions with club members that it was caught at rush point and that the fish had made several attempts to break for the cover of the rush beds and taken John down to his backing. Chatting with the local sheep farmer, who overlooks the lake and keeps an eye on the comings and goings of the local fisherman, he confirmed that rush point was a key spot as was the lake outlet and spring bank in the vicinity of the spring.
With a strengthening easterly and the temperature dropping I decided to avoid the ticks in the rough grass access paths and head for the driveway along the southern shoreline. While this was fishing into the teeth of the wind the clear space of the driveway offered good opportunity to reverse cast out a good distance from the grass verge of the drive and was free of ticks. While wind farms divide opinion, especially when built in the last vestiges of wild places this country has to offer, they are a magnificent sight and at this point on the lake offers views of the Llywernog wind farm which was largely motionless despite a strengthening breeze.
After a further hour and not so much as a pull I decided to call it a day. This is one of those fishing places where timing and some experience/local knowledge are probably key factors to success. However, as a fishing venue Llyn Oerfa would be hard to beat, with bucket loads of tranquillity and rural beauty that produce a great fishing experience and a relaxing day out. While there is a road along the northern bank of the lake, aside from the postman and one other vehicle, it didn’t carry any other traffic in the time I was there.
While rural in location it is fairly close to amenities should they be required – Toilets are available at Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre which is 5 minutes drive away, where there is also a café for a brew and to warm up along with a number of short walks that are worth exploring, e.g. the miners trail, as well as red kite feeding daily at 3pm (summertime; 2pm winter time). It was also interesting to stop and take a look at the Llywernog wind farm as you drive right past it as you seldom get the opportunity to see these close up and marvel at what a feat of engineering that they are.
Tight lines,
Greg