Fairy Glen and Tyn y Cae

River Conwy – Fairy Glen & Tyn y Cae

Non-Fishing Companions:  Are permitted. However they have to pay an entrance fee as indicated on gate to the river.

Guests: No Guests, Junior or Interim Members allowed.

An attractive stretch of the Conwy providing over 1 mile of right hand bank fishing, flowing in part through the picturesque Fairy Glen, which is designated an SSSI and is located south-east of Betws-y-Coed including Tyn y Cae Pool where the Lledr meets the Conwy.  Upstream of Tyn y Cae the river flows through very rough and rocky terrain and should only be tackled by physically fit anglers wearing suitable footwear and you are strongly advised to take a partner. The 4 day rods fish from dawn until 18:00. The 2 night rods can fish from 19:00 until the following dawn; there can be 4 rods on the beat during the day but only 2 rods at night. If members wish to night fish by themselves they can click the guest button to reserve both rods.

How to get there – OS map reference SH 798 557 to 808 536

To the top of the beat. (Steep, rough and rocky) there is no fishing below the falls and from 100 m downstream of the fish pass tunnel, the first pool you can fish downstream of the falls is the Pulpit. From Pentrefoelas take the A5 towards Betws-y-Coed. As you go past the Conwy Falls cafe on your left and after a left turn on the A5 there is a lay-by in which you can park (slow down as you pass the Conwy Falls Cafe or you may miss the lay-by) to access the top of the beat. Go through the gap and follow the path at the wicket gate you need to go down the hill to get to the river – this is very steep! Once you go through the wicket gate to get to the Pulpit follow the fence back uphill you will come to a fence which goes downhill go through this fence and follow the gully down to the river and you will reach the tail of the Pulpit. Be warned in order to land a fish you have to go back to the bottom of the gully, if the fish goes downstream it will be lost. The footpath will take you all the way to Tyn y Cae, this is the old coach road. As you exit the woods you will see fields on your left, go through the first gateway/gap in the wall and walk straight across the field (downhill) this will bring you to a fence and you should see a style to your left. Go over the stile and head upstream there are some nice pools, downstream is the Fairy Falls, the pocket water above the falls will hold fish during a spate.

To the bottom of the beat. (Tyn y Cae Pool, etc.) -Continue past the Conwy Falls Café towards Betws-y-Coed to the A470 junction on the left. Take the A470 towards Blaenau Ffestiniog, following the road a short distance, taking a left turn immediately after the Fairy Glen Hotel and before crossing the bridge over the river by the Beaver Pool. The track is signed to ‘Cwmanog Isaf Farm’. Park in the Fairy Glen Car Park on the left, park on the left so as not to cause any obstruction. Car stickers must be displayed to identify your vehicle as authorised to park. Parking is free to members.   Night fishers please park so you can drive straight out. You may be asked by the owners (John and Heather Hughes) for identification as the car park is alarmed and there are CCTV cameras.

Access to the Water – Access to the Tyn y Cae Pool is via a gate a little further along the lane opposite the farm. It is not necessary to pay to pass through the gate. The owners of the farm are Mr and Mrs Hughes who can offer B&B to Members Tel: 01690 710225. Follow the footpath downhill until you reach the river, the path now follows the river, do not neglect the stretch of river opposite the island as running fish hold in this water, the fish lie close to the bank and in the head of the pool before running into Tyn y Cae.

There is fishing upstream of Tyn y Cae in the first gorge pool, follow the footpath to the end and then descend to the river the first gorge pool is upstream, you need to wade to go upstream in normal flows this should be no more than 750 mm deep.

Water information

Essentially a spate river and the level can rise very quickly. Fishing the gorge can be dangerous because of its steep nature and rocks which can be very slippery, coupled with fast flowing water. There are a number of good rock pools in the glen which hold fish in the autumn; it’s possible to fish the fly in the gorge. The beat extends from below the Conwy Falls but due to EA restrictions you can only start to fish 100m downstream of the fish pass, right hand bank only, as far as the A470 bridge over the river at the head of the Beaver Pool. There is no access from the fenced bank at the bottom of the beat for conservation reasons but Members may wade if the conditions are safe. The river is noted mainly for salmon but also carries sea-trout which can attain a large size. The Tyn y Cae Pool is suitable for sea-trout fishing at night. Wading is unnecessary and inadvisable.

If travelling any distance it is wise to check river conditions before setting out for a day`s fishing. River heights can be checked on the website.