GLYNCORNEL ANGLING ASSOCIATION
UP TO DATE LAKE NEWS
11th. FEBRUARY 2012
A.G.M.
Members of Glyncornel Angling Association held their annual A.G.M. and presentation night at the Tonypandy Athletic Club where the winners of the fly fishing tournaments received their awards.
From left to right kneeling: Russell Hurley, John.W. Smith (vice chairman) , Peter Eddy, Karen Wiggins, Liam Enoch. Middle row left to right: Jeff Edwards, Lee Parsons (Classic Windows), Mike Owen, Austin Lockett, Clive Perry (club sec.), David Wiggins, Mike Bray, Mark Wilcox. From left to right back row: Steven Port, Peter Clive Davies, Norman Clarke, Paul Enoch.
Prizes Galore
There were Prizes Galore at Glyncornel Angling Associations big presentation night. With another very successful fishing season under their belt the fishermen filled the main hall in Tonypandy Athletic Club to receive their shields and prizes for the 2011 season. This years first division winner was Austin Lockett, runner up was J.W. Smith, third was Mark Wilcox. Second division winner was Mike Owen, runner up was Leslie Letherby. Third division winner was Lee Parsons, runner up was Peter Clive Davies. Fourth division winner was Michael Bray, runner up was Peter Eddy. Fifth division winner was Tina Jones, runner up was Liam Enoch. Junior Club Championship winner was Liam Enoch, runner up was Daniel Griffith. The biggest competition fish this season (8 lb 4 oz.) was caught by Mike Tamplin. Doubles Championship winners were Clive Perry and Mark Wilcox, runners up were Mike Owen and Austin Lockett, third was J.W. Smith and Mike Tamplin. Sportsman of the Year was Clive Perry. Junior Club member of the Year was Liam Enoch. Member of the Year were David and Karen Wiggins. Runner up Member of the Year was Mark Wilcox.
The members are eagerly awaiting this years 2012 season after another exceptional years fishing at the lakeside in 2011. All divisions were incredibly hard fought for and hard to win. Congratulations to all winners and participants in last years competition. We would like to give special thanks and appreciation to our sponsor last year, Lee Parsons Classic Windows for his generosity and help towards the club.
3rd. FEBRUARY 2012
Would Scott Ireland and Kieran Parish please contact the Chairman.
We have already held the first two new members meetings. There are still a few places available. Our free fly tying classes and free fly casting lessons will be starting very shortly. You are well advised to join the club as soon as possible, otherwise you will miss out on these free lessons and be way down in the training programs before the season starts. We would like all new members to be fully competent in all aspects of fly fishing before the first stocking. Please ring the Chairman David Picton-Davies on 01443 432289 between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. for details of the next new members meeting.
13th. SEPTEMBER 2011
Hurricane Final
Glyncornel Angling Associations final contest at Glyncornel Lake was held in some of the worst weather in the clubs history, ranging from hurricane gusts of wind, downpours so heavy that they could drown a duck, thunder and lightning that was so intense in the later stages of the competition that the fishing had to be stopped for over 30 minutes. Even with all this bad weather the members showed true grit and determination, demonstrating unbelievable fishing skills that ensured they caught fish all through the day. Austin Lockett blanked until the later stages of the competition but caught fish right at the end of the day to ensure that he maintained his lead and won the 2011 championship. Mark Wilcox and J.W. Smith were hard on his heels throughout the day, putting smaller fish back ensuring that they caught bigger fish and scoring more points than him on the day but not enough to win the championship. Mark Wilcox now thoroughly regrets his weekend in Spain which caused him to miss the 3rd. contest of six, while Austin made sure he did not miss a contest in the whole season. Congratulations to Austin and all our other division winners, Mike Owen 2nd. division, Lee Parsons 3rd. division, Michael Bray 4th. division, Tina Jones 5th. division, Mark Wilcox & Clive Perry pairs division and especially little Liam Enoch who stuck it out all day in atrocious weather to win the junior club competition. We would also like to thank our sponsor Lee Parsons Classic Windows & Interiors Ltd. (Tel: 07812 139909) who generously sponsored our last competition, and last but not least we would like to thank Ken Jones who has generously provided food at every competition. Its been a fantastic years fishing at the lakeside.
We are now taking members for next season. Please contact the Chairman: David Picton-Davies on 01443 432289 between 2 p.m and 9 p.m.
Rear Group: Ken Jones, Mike Tamplin, Les Letherby, Gary Hathaway, Mark Wilcox, J.W. Smith, Lee Parsons (Competition Sponsor), Jeff Edwards, Austin Lockett, Daniel Griffith, Steven Port (Club Treasurer), Michael Bray, Clive Perry (Club Sec.)
Front Group Barry Roberts (kneeling), Peter Eddy (kneeling), Liam Enoch (Junior Club Winner)
7th. JULY 2011
Experience Triumphs Over Youth
Glyncornel Angling Association had yet another superb days fishing in perfect weather conditions. Glyncornel Angling Association's oldest member Ken Jones who has been a member of the club for over 65 years gave all the members a master class in skilful fishing with his use of traditional flies and fishing techniques. Many of the members were pulling out big fish throughout the morning, Ken patiently waited until it cooled down by late afternoon causing the big fish to be more active, enabling Ken to catch a massive bag of 20 lb. 02 oz. It was a record breaking day for all the members with their catches being exceedingly heavy. Even the 10th place competitor's catch was almost 16 lb. The first division championship is really heating up with two contests to go and all the members can't wait until the next competition day.
For membership of Glyncornel Lake or the river, contact Chairman: David Picton-Davies between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on 01443 432289.
8th. JUNE 2011
Record Breaking Day at Lakeside
Members of Glyncornel Angling Association had yet another record breaking day when an amazing amount of high quality fish were pulled out of Glyncornel Lake throughout the contest. All members caught their four fish bags before 1.30 p.m. resulting in the earliest finishing contest ever. Normally the contest goes on until 7 p.m. All competitors in the brilliant sunshine and ideal fishing conditions found it hard to choose whether to take their fish early or wait until later hoping to catch the 10 lb. plus fish that were put in. There were so many big fish in the 4-5 lb. range they just had to take their fish early.
Clive Perry, Leighton Gowen, Peter Clive Davies and J.W. Smith were continually catching big fish and it was difficult for them to choose. All the members on the day could have won but the top four showed a master class in fishing. Three times first division champion Peter Clive Davies thought he had won the competition with 17 lb. 02 oz. but was edged out by Clive Perry and Leighton Gowen using a bizarre range of home-made flies and our old favourites a green and white mini cats whiskers and orange fritz. He thought he had the contest in the bag by taking his fish early before them but it gave them the advantage of knowing what weight to aim for. New member Barry Roberts had a super enjoyable day with a 14 lb. 08 oz. bag. Mike Tamplin was unlucky that he didn’t go further up in the points losing a whopper at the bank. Steven Port with his new Hardy Angel Rod and Hardy Diablo Reel was literally a fish catching machine throughout the contest. Unfortunately he didn’t connect with any big ones on the day. Our friend from America, Michelle (Tennessee) was overjoyed with her first time catch of four fish and has improved greatly in her casting this season since joining the club, she also lost a big fish that snapped her line at the bank side while trying to land it.
In the Junior Club Competition Liam Enoch was unlucky with his four fish catch (first time) not to be in the points and prize money. Liam Enoch and Alex Bray did their best in the Junior Club to score points while Daniel Griffiths was away on holidays, unfortunately with so many big fish coming out on the day they couldn’t come within the first ten positions. But they and everybody else had a super enjoyable time on the day.
The next contest should be really interesting. Mark Wilcox, Daniel Griffiths, Gary Hathaway (the Greek) and Les Letherby are all back off holidays. Congratulations to Les for coming 4th. in his coarse fishing contest, all the members are eagerly awaiting the next contest.
The committee and all the club members would like to thank Ken Jones for the hot and cold drinks and food he supplied at the lakeside on the day.
For membership of Glyncornel Lake or the river, contact Chairman: David Picton-Davies between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on 01443 432289.
19th. MAY 2011
Wilcox Shows Class on the Day
22 Glyncornel Angling Association members braved bad weather to take part in the second of the six fly-fishing competitions at Glyncornel Lake, Tonypandy. The weather started off with light rain which turned into a torrential downpour that lasted most of the day, but it couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the members with Mark Wilcox skills shining through on the day. The competition was hard fought until 7 p.m. Members found it hard to choose between the numerous big fish that were coming out.
Mark Wilcox and Daniel Griffiths junior club member played a waiting game putting back smaller fish and keeping the biggest fish they caught. Good tactics, which resulted in them coming 1st and 2nd in the competition. Other members in the first 10 were all in with a chance of winning right through until the end of the day. Congratulations to Mike Tamplin and Paul Enoch, both new members that had never fly-fished before joining the club this year who came in 4th and 5th position with big bags of fish.
Hard Luck Stories of the Day
Les Letherby lost a 10 lb.+ trout which would have won him the contest on the day and put him right up in the points. His line got tangled and it snapped him by the bank side. We would like to congratulate Mr. Paul Enoch for showing his son Liam how to make a big splash when he caught his bag of 16 lb. 01 oz. His son was really impressed and so were the other members of the club in his ability to land fish from any angle or position.
Membership of Glyncornel Angling Association is still available. Please contact Chairman David Picton-Davies on 01443 432289 after 2 p.m. and no later than 9 p.m.
30th. APRIL 2011
Sorry we are a bit late with the article for the last contest in April but we have had unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
Club Gets Off to a Flying Start
All the members of Glyncornel Angling Association thoroughly enjoyed the days fishing at the lakeside with perfect weather conditions and superb fish catches as normal on the day. We would like to congratulate the six novice members that had never before caught a trout, fished or fly-fished catching as many as six to eight fish apiece thanks to the free professional tuition given to them by the club experts and committee members. The novices are father and son Michael & Alex Bray, Jordan Thomas, Liam Enoch, Gary Hathaway and Sam Studley. They were all totally overjoyed at not only catching their first fish ever on the day, but many others. We would like to give a special thanks to all our club trainers and especially Club Secretary Clive Perry who has gone out of his way to help all the novices come up to this high standard.
The day got off to an unbelievable start with Daniel Griffiths and Austin Locket catching their four fish bag in less than half an hour. Daniel Griffiths with 15 lb 01 oz and Austin Locket 16 lb 04 oz although it was a twelve hour competition these bags of fish were too good to put back. Gareth Ryan late on the morning ended up being first reserve because he didn’t show up in time. He then went on to Austin’s vacant position as he had now finished for the day and he yet again banged four fish in half an hour with a total weight of 17 lb 15 oz which won the contest for him on the day. The amount of big fish that were coming out all around the lake during the competition was truly amazing! By 10 a.m. ten competitors had caught their four fish bags. By the first weigh-in at 12 midday there were only nine remaining competitors at the lake looking for bigger and better fish to match the big weights already caught. The contest went on until the final weigh-in at 7 p.m. with all the members having an exceptional days fishing and a great amount of fun was had by all.
A very special thank you to Ken Jones who is unwell at the present moment for his kindness towards the club in supplying free of charge to the members, hot drinks and food on the day. We all hope he will be much better soon and hope to see him at the next contest.
Hard Luck Stories of the Day
With the super sized fish stocked in the lake many members had bad luck loosing fish while playing them or landing them. Steven Port Club Treasurer lost a 12 lb+ fish while he was trying to land it with his net actually under the fish. Peter Clive Davies lost a 10 lb+ fish when his line got tangled and snapped. Member anonymous (too embarrassed) lost an 8 lb+ fish on the bank when it leapt off the bank back into the lake, members were in hysterics. Lots of hard fighting fish on the day, better luck next time everyone.
Further Lake News Since the Competition
Adie Handcock club member had an exceptional catch on the following Sunday evening. He caught a 12 lb rainbow with a cats whiskers and there was another cats whiskers in the fish's mouth. He also caught two 4 lb, a 5 lb, a 6 lb+ fish plus twelve 3 lb+ fish. A really tremendous day for Adie, especially as he didn't kill any fish and returned all fish to the lake, giving other members the chance to catch these prime specimens. The first 2 1/2 weeks after stocking has seen some exceptional catches with things now getting more difficult towards the end of the month as normal, especially with the very hot weather we are having for this time of the year. Fish are now going for buzzers, nymphs, brown and black daddy longlegs with a mixture of sinking and floating flies.
A reminder to all prospective new members: the books are nearly full for this year and we will be closing the membership for new members in late May as normal.
Please ring Chairman David Picton-Davies on 01443 432289 between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. as soon as possible for membership.
26th. MARCH 2011
Excellent Start at Glyncornel Lakeside
Superb over wintered big fish are being caught at the lakeside despite the water temperature being very cold (same problem as river). Two exceptional fish 8.5 lb. and 7.5 lb. with three or four fish between 4 lb. and 6 lb. and a fair number in the 2 lb. plus range are being caught from our opening day 20th. March 2011. New and old members alike were amazed by the power of these full finned fish. Best catches were early in the morning and late in the evening, but fish were coming out all day. Classic action at the lakeside with the clubs favourite fly the green and white cats whiskers. Lures are obviously preferred at this time of year with a sinking line. The fish are down deep where the water is the warmest. The lake is 35 to 40 feet deep at its deepest point. It isn’t easy to catch fish at this time of year in the lake or the river but when you do it’s an incredibly satisfying experience with a fighting all muscle, no fat, full finned fish second to none. New and old members alike are really enjoying a great start to the season and are looking forward to the first competition in April.
There are still a few membership places available at the lake. Please ring Chairman David Picton-Davies between 2 p.m. & 9 p.m. for further information and membership.