Merthyr Tydfil is the smallest unified area in Wales, sitting snugly under the Beacons. The Taff Fechan joins the Taff Fawr in Merthyr to form the river Taff. Coarse fishing can be had at Cyfarthfa Lake in Cyfarthfa Park in the town of Merthyr Tydfil. Whilst on your travels in Merthyr you will have the opportunity to discover the 'heroes of the industrial revolution'. In the Iron Capital of theWorld you can visit the splendid Cyfarthfa Castle, home of the powerful Ironmaster William Crawshay. The Brecon Mountain Railway also rolls here from Powys. South Edition Order your copy Now Clive Branson's Fishing Guide to Wales and the Borders   By popular demand from visiting anglers I have been asked on many occasions “Where best to go fishing including best facilities such as refreshments, toilets, disable access etc” Therefore I have introduced for each venue within the guide my personal 1-5 star rating *****. Including my personal views, helping anglers decide where best to experience this great sport of ours. I recommend that you phone first and check details before setting out. You will need a valid Environment Agency rod licence to fish at any venue listed Also check out the easy to navigate post code

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COARSE

Venue; CYFARTHA LAKE

Location; Situated within Cyfartha Park, Merthyr Tydfil
Owner Permit; Merthyr Tydfil A/A
Availability; Day or Season tickets 4 acre Park Lake
Tel; 01685 723520
Fish Species; Rudd, Bream, Perch, Tench, Carp,
Web Site; www.mtaa.co.uk/
Additional information; No night fishing, Barbless hooks only, Some bait restrictions, Close season apply, Disabled access, Keepnet limitations
Star Rating **

Venue; PENYWERN PONDS

Location; Situated at Dowlais Top, access to Penywern Top Pond is behind the Asda superstore on the A465 Heads of the Valleys road
Owner Permit; Merthyr Tydfil A/A
Availability; Day or Season tickets 3 Pools
Tel; 01685 723520
Fish Species; Bream, Perch, Tench, Carp, Dace, Chub
Web Site; www.mtaa.co.uk/
Additional information; Penywern Top Pond holds many species, including Mirror and Common Carp, Perch, Roach, Tench, Bream and Gudgeon. Disabled access
Star Rating **

Venue; PONTSTICILL RESERVOIR

Venue; JEPSONS POND

Venue; RIVER TAFF-MERTHYR TYDFIL-UPPER REACHES

Location; From Merthyr Tydfil to the confluence of Taf Fehan and Taf Fawr
Owner Permit; Merthyr Tydfil A/A
Availability; Day or Season tickets Several miles of fishing
Tel; 01685 377848
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; www.mtaa.co.uk/
Additional information; The River Taff is actually three rivers, the Taff Fechan that rises in the Beacons and is controlled by Pontsticill Reservoir. The Taff Fawr, which also rises in the Beacons and is controlled by Llwyn Onn Reservoir. Both these rivers meet at Cefn Coed just north of Merthyr Tydfil to form the River Taff. The Taff is a spate river and can depend on rain, particularly in the summer months, to generate the best of its fishing but even in very low water a stealthy approach and fine presentation can produce some very rewarding if difficult sport.

Star Rating **

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Venue; LLWYN-ONN RESERVOIR

Location; Situated in Brecon Beacons A470
Owner Permit; Welsh Water
Availability; Day tickets from vending machine 150 acre Lake or from http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org
Fish Species; Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
Website info: Llwyn-onn Res
Additional information; This 150 acre reservoir is the largest of the Taff reservoirs. It is a favourite amongst local anglers and is a fly, spinner and worm fishing venue. Regularly stocked from Dwr Cymru's rearing unit, the trout are larger than those caught at Beacons and Cantref, the record rainbow being over 13lbs and the best brown of 10lb 4oz. Llwyn On is a scenic water, set in mixed woodland, and has good access and toilet facilities. No night fishing
Star Rating ***

Location; Situated below Pontsticill Reservoir
Owner Permit; Merthyr Tydfil A/A
Availability; Day or Season tickets Several miles of fishing
Tel; 01685 377848
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; www.mtaa.co.uk/
Additional information; Fly only, Close season apply, Catch and release
Star Rating **

Venue; RIVER TAFF- Abercynon

Location; Situated at quackers yard and Abercynon
Owner Permit; Taffbargoed and Trelewis Angling Club
Availability; Day or Season tickets one mile of fishing
Tel; Derick Drane on 01443 412800.
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site;
Additional information; Approx one mile of fishing from pontygwaith bridge on the A 470 both banks downstream from the rusty bridge at elbow quackers yard to where the two rivers meet in Abercycnon Fly only, Close season apply,
Star Rating **

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Venue; RIVER TAFF-MERTHYR TYDFIL-UPPER REACHES

Location; From Merthyr Tydfil to the confluence of Taf Fehan and Taf Fawr
Owner Permit; Merthyr Tydfil A/A
Availability; Day or Season tickets Several miles of fishing
Tel; 01685 377848
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Web Site; www.mtaa.co.uk/
Additional information; Fly only, Close season apply, Catch and release, The Taff rises as two rivers in the Brecon Beacons - the Taf Fechan (Little Taff) and the Taf Fawr (Big Taff), before joining to form the Taff north of Merthyr Tydfil. The Taf Fawr rises below Corn Du, south-west of Pen y Fan and flows south through Beacons Reservoir, Cantref Reservoir and Llwyn-on Reservoir. Underneath Cefn Viaduct, the Nant Ffrwd emerges into the river from a deep, narrow gorge. To the south of Cefn Coed-y-Cymer, the Taf Fechan and Taf Fawr merge at the wooded confluence that gives Cefn Coed-y-Cymer its name. The Taff continues south through the centre of Merthyr Tydfil, where it is joined by the Nant Morlais which emerges at Abermorlais from a culvert in the east bank. Just south of Merthyr weir, the Nant Rhydycar joins South of Merthyr, the Taff begins to meander its way between Pentrebach and Abercanaid and through Troedyrhiw, Merthyr Vale and Aberfan towards Quakers Yard. At Quakers Yard the river has cut a sharp incised meander, locally known as "Fiddler's Elbow". It is here that the third of the three Taffs, the Taf Bargoed joins the main river. (See Lower Taff)
Star Rating **

Location; Situated between Cwm Bargoed and Trelewis
Owner Permit; Bedlinog A/A
Availability; Day or Season tickets Seven miles of fishing contact Mr E Jones
Tel; 01685 710515 / 01443 710777
Fish Species; Brown Trout
Additional information; This river flows for 7 miles from Cwm-Bar Coed to Bedlinog Close season apply
Star Rating **