Late Summer Fishing in Pembrokeshire and the Gower

The beautiful and rugged Pembrokeshire Coast

I love Wales. There's something about it that keeps me going back for more. This was my 3rd visit and the more I go the more the potential of the fishing reveals itself to me. Miles and miles of unspoilt beaches, towering cliffs and rocky shoreline are enough to keep the most avid angler entertained for many years.

This trip was focused around the Gower peninsular and the Pembrokeshire coast. The weather can be predictably wet and miserable given the proximity to the Atlantic ocean and the inbound weather patterns that come with it. This time we were lucky though with largely sunny days and cool nights, although a little breezy at times. On the whole pretty good!

It was just a long weekend visit so fishing time was limited. The first night was spent fishing the surf on a beautiful, deserted surf beach near to Port Einon. The action was pitiful with one decent bite all night that never developed into anything more. The freshly dug Lugworm I had was excellent, I expected better things to be honest...but that's fishing for you!

The other session was spent fishing into deep water off a couple of rock marks....Wrasse and Pollack country. The wind was howling on this day and it was hard to judge the bites properly, but eventually I managed to sneak out a few wrasse on my ragworm baits. They are always hard fighters and very welcome. The best was probably 2lb + but it's not about the sizes for me. Just being there perched on a rock with the wind in your hair and salt water spray on your face is enough for me. Fish like these are truly an added bonus. Happy Days! I'll be back......

Best of the day.

Most colourful of the day.

Saltwater Flyfishing on Brighton Beach - September 2014

The conditions have been perfect just recently for a spot of flyfishing on the open coast. With northerly breezes flatening the sea and high pressure dominating, it could not have got much better. The water has been gin clear and the baitfish have been pushed right up on to the shingle by the predators. I have managed to get out a couple of times choosing to hit the shingle an hour before any light creeps into the eastern sky and fish through til about an hour after sunrise. 

During the first hour, while it is still dark, the Scad have been obliging and put up a great scrap (no wonder as they are related to the trevally species!). As soon as some light creeps in then the mackerel and schoolie bass are in on the action with a few garfish for good measure too. 

My fly choice is simple. I just use my own home-tied clouser minnows in a chartreuse and white pattern with a little flash tied in for good measure. Simple to tie and the fish love 'em. This has been fished on an #8 weight outfit with a slow sinking intermediate line. 

I took my go-pro camera with me one morning and was fortunate to capture a bit of action and film the masses of baitfish in the edge too. Enjoy and tight lines!