The Pembrokeshire Angling Association recently held its 70th AGM at The Mariners Hotel in Haverfordwest and over 35 members were in attendance.
 
It was gratifying that so many members were there because, to be frank, river fishing has been quite badly damaged over the last five years because of the indiscriminate poisoning of lovely rivers like the Western and Eastern Cleddau, and its tributaries like my favourite River Anghof, which flows from Puncheston to Wolfs Castle.
 
Yet, still committed members of the Anglers’ Association like Steve Esmond (Secretary), John Codd (Chairman), Nigel Mayhew (Treasurer and President), Steve Brown (Vice Chairman) and others  members regularly spend their spare time removing fallen trees in danger of blocking the river’s flow, maintaining the footpaths that run alongside - and many other jobs that crop up in winter, alongside spring and summer jobs that mark them as serious conservationists.

 

Still some fish in the river but a massively decreased number

 


Of course, most of them have been keen anglers for many years and can recall days of yore when Salmon, Sea Trout and Brown Trout were in abundance as they swam to their spawning grounds upstream - but now the Salmon and Sea Trout stocks have unfortunately declined like in most Welsh rivers.
 
But there is still excellent sport available with wild brown trout to be caught as a treat for locals as well as holiday makers who can pay for a daily, weekly or season permit via their website www.pembrokeshire-anglers.co.uk instantly allowing them to use their favourite methods like fly fishing, spinning or just sitting with the rod and worm on the association’s considerable stretches of the Western Cleddau, plus fewer stretches on in the Eastern Cleddau.
 
They also link with some of the local fishing lakes like Foxhill Fisheries - and the Pembrokeshire Federation of Angling coaches who also use the fantastic facility at Treffgarne, which has a lovely lodge and picnic area, an ideal place to cater for disability with a disabled platform and river side parking, small man-made cataract and lovely flowers adorning the river banks alongside wild-life aplenty.
 

Interesting guests – and deserved trophies for anglers

 

And that is why characters like Steve Esmond, Nigel Mayhew , John Codd and the PAA committee are so passionate on the need for the authorities to halt the indiscriminate use of pollutants - and welcomed Roger Pratt, Steve Evans and Rick Cooper to their AGM - with Roger as secretary of PFAC, Steve from Foxhill and Rick heavily involved in the Cleddau Project, which is another voluntary agency wanting the rivers to be back to their natural state.
 
The Association are eager to attract the younger element into fishing and that is why, when they hold their popular fishing competition at Llys y Fran Reservoir (sponsored by County Sports, Vaughan’s Radio, FRF Toyota and Vincent Davies Store)) there is a section, with a very nice trophy, for junior members.
 
This year the winner was Iestyn Jones - but it was dad Craig who collected the cup on his son’s behalf - because it was a school evening!
 
The Medina Cup (Heaviest fish) was caught by Toby Schwierczi and the Munt Shield (Heaviest bag of fish) was won by Arran Jones - and all three trophies were presented by Nigel Mayhew.
 
So, the work will go on against the relentless tide of pollution – and we at PembrokeshireSport.co,uk salute their efforts and hope there is some sort of governmental intervention to help bring these lovely rivers back to full life again!