Myself and Mrs Bickle are headed to Snowdonia for a short break in mid March, staying at the Pale Hall Hotel near Bala.

Whilst I am unlikely to get a day free on my own to hit the rivers, I would like to get a couple of hours, maybe in the evenings, on a smallish stillwater not too far away (preferably half an hour's drive or so).

Any recommendations (preferably with the option of catch and release)?

There's not too much small stillwater fishing around. There's Dragonfly Fisheries on the A5 near Cerrigydrudion, they're bigger but Brenig is just another mile or two further and then there's Bala itself.

If I were you I'd get a ticket for the Bala AC stretch of the Dee at Llandderfel that you'd probably be able to see from your hotel window. It is downstream of the bridge in front of the hotel and has good grayling and trout. Of course which of those are in season depends on exactly when in March you go.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

Hi,

Have a look at this link,

information on our licences

Click on 'Our fisheries' on the left then look at Cynwch Fishery.

If you look through the website you'll see that it's £12.00 for a full day catch and release and you can keep up to 3 fish.

I camped in Dolgellau last summer with my brother and two cousins and we had a full day here. It is quite hard to find but you can print off a map from the website which is quite good. The full day allowed you to fish from 8 am until whatever time it says on the gate leading to the fishery. When we went that was until 9pm. Great value for money.

It is absoloutely beautiful and you could make a full day of it if the good lady is happy pic-nicking/reading/relaxing etc! When you park your car at the first car park on the right a good spot is just round to the left following the path to an open area with loads of casting room behind but it is good to explore.

My cousin caught his first fish here and my other cousin and myself had 10 fish each (rainbows) and masses missed/lost. Caught a big Roach and a few Perch too! Caught on buzzer/diawl bach but best was a cats whisker with red hotspot head. Fish fought like mad to the end and water nice and clear. My cousin had an otter take a fish from off his fly while we were there too which was hilarious!!

You get your permit from a small newsagents in the centre of Dolgellau called 'SIOP Y CYMRO NEWSAGENTS' where Meyrick Street leads onto Finsbury Square.

Can't recommend this place enough. A hidden gem and don't think it's too far from Bala.

Hope this helps. Tight lines

Nick.

Hi,

Just to add to my prev post.

Checked on AA Routeplanner and it is 18.0 miles from Bala to Dolgellau and takes 26 mins.

cheers,

Nick.

I was in Wales a few years back and i am going back this summer.
There was a lovely looking water near Porthmadog.
I cant remember the name of it but it looked fishy.

I just googled it, the lake was called: Llyn Trawsfyndd

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www.tintotroutfishery.co.uk
www.anglersholidaycottages.co.uk

seiont gwyrfai llyfni angling society have water on 3 rivers (seiont, gwyrfai and llyfni, would you believe!) but they also have a rights on a number of lakes in the area - both WBT and stocked rainbows. Don't have the details to hand but i'm sure you'll find their page through google.

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"With my silken line and delicate hook, I wander in a myriad of ripples, And find freedom."
My Blog : yorkshireflynovice.blogspot.com

All within 30mins of Bala:

Llyn Cynnwch
Cregerran Lakes
Gwernan Lake (google Gwernan hotel)
Llyn Trawsfynydd
River Dee
Llyn Brenig
Dragonfly Fishery (very small)
Tal Y Llyn (Opens April 1st so probably no good for you)

A little bit further but within an hours drive:

Eisteddfa Fishery
Graiglwyd Springs
River Severn
Llyn Clywedog (a little over an hour)
Tan Y Mynydd fishery
Chirk fishery
Valley Dam
Black Pools (Welshpool)
Lake Vyrnwy (check date of opening - could be April 1st??)
Lakehill
Llandegla Fishery

There's probably a few I haven't listed but that should keep you busy for a few hours!

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If a man speaks in the woods and no woman is there to hear him............is he still wrong????

Llyn Nantlle is one and it is a little gem of a water. There are also a few other lakes around Betws y Coed that are fairly good.

__________________
“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

Many thanks for all the suggestions, chaps.

It looks like I'm pretty spoiled for choice