The work carried out by the Conwy Valley Fisheries & Conservation Association is generally unknown and unreported. A small band of enthusiasts, not all anglers, work tirelessly to help the salmon maintain its presence in the River Conwy system. The Conwy is one of only three rivers in England and Wales forecast in the 2012 salmon stock assessment by NRW and others, to have salmon stocks estimated to be “not at risk” by 2018. All three rivers so classified in the documentation, are stocked. Natural Resources Wales, the guardians of Welsh salmon, have declared that all salmonid hatcheries in Wales are to be closed, with the exception of a centre of excellence to be created at Cunrig in the Brecon Beacons, and that all stocking of salmon and sea trout into Welsh rivers is to cease, as they fear that stocking rivers with hatchery bred fish will damage the native fish stock. It was then, with a sad heart, and a feeling that verged on despair, that I went to film and to witness, what will probably be the last ever introduction of reared smolt, into the Conwy system.
The following photographs are posted as a witness to the event and as a tribute to the dedicated team who have been carrying out this work unpaid and unacknowledged for the past several years. Thank you, to each and every one of you.
The smolt pond
First draw of the net
Removing smolt trapped in the net
The last two pictures above were taken at the outflow from the pond to a stream leading to the river. Each draw of the net across the pond was to encourage the smolt to leave the pond and enter the river. And thence to sea.
Photographs courtesy of Paul King, secretary of Wirral Game Fishing Club
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