Western Power Distribution's plan to redevelop the Llanishen reservoir site would effectively end a century of trout fishing at these waters.
Following the reservoir's construction in 1884, a small trout hatchery was built below the main dam using the waters of the Nant Fawr. By the 1900's, fish reared at Llanishen formed its annual stock and the first permits to fish were sold to anglers by the Corporation's water department. Though the hatchery has been disused for many years, the reservoir always received annual stockings of trout.
In those early years, the reservoir was lightly fished, producing an average weight of fish of one pound, although each season would see larger trout caught. The reservoir was set in open countryside surrounded by working farms, shooting estates and narrow country lanes. Apart from the Rhymney Railway that sliced north to south through the parish, there was no other form of public transport in the district prior to the First World War. Even today, with Llanishen fast becoming an inner suburb of Cardiff, the reservoir site provides its visitors with superb country views and, though such a short way from the "hurly burly" roads of modern Cardiff, can still give one the matchless sense of being in the countryside.
In 1948, under the leadership of Mr William G. Earle, a local builder of Rhyd-ypenau Road, anglers at Llanishen formed a club. Its aims were to advise the Cardiff water department on the fishing and improve the facility generally. The Cardiff Reservoirs Fly Fishing Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1997, and with rarely less than a hundred members this club has provided, at small cost, an entry into the fly fishing world for hundreds of prospective anglers; men,women and children. The club was a founder member of the Welsh Fly Fishing Federation in 1953. Many of the club's most skilled members have represented their country at National and International events throughout the United Kingdom.
In the mid 1970's the club successfully initiated the first facilities for the disabled in south Wales. With a grant from the Jane Hodge Foundation and club funds, a boat, to enable disabled anglers to fish, was launched on Llanishen reservoir. The above photograph shows the second "wheely"disabled boat, donated by the Country Landowners Association, being officially launched on the reservoir in 1983. This boat was specially designed, and was the first in Wales to allow anglers to fish from their wheelchairs. Mr J. Alwyn Jones, club chairman is seen thanking the C.L.A.representatives for their gift. Among the guests (third from left) is Mrs. Brandon Rees Williams, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Glamorgan.
In 1992 the club successfully negotiated a lease of the fishing rights at Llanishen, and during the following six years provided for the general public, and its own members, trout fishing of a very high standard. Stocking some 14,500 fish in 1995 with an average weight of 31b produced the sort of fishing of which most anglers only dream. This leasing facility was withdrawn in 1998, without any reason being given by Welsh Water, and the "fishing" that has been provided as an "amenity replacement" has been gradually run down, despite entreaties, protests and proposals by club officials. It has now culminated in the redevelopment plan by Western Power.
Llanishen reservoir has given great pleasure to countless anglers and other users of the site, over many years, while the Cardiff Reservoirs Fly Fishing Club has shown what can be achieved in managing a top class fishery during its leasing years. Given the opportunity, this old established club is determined to show that Llanishen reservoirs can be turned, once more, into the first class fishery deserved by the Capital City of Wales.
Fred Davies, Trustee, Cardiff Reservoirs Fly Fishing Club.
