There are many beautiful places to cast a fly in Britain but none more so than Cregennan Lakes in West Wales Snowdonia National Park. Siting in the shadow of Cadir Idris and not far from the lovely market town of Dolgellau, Cregennan Estate is National Trust owned and has extensive land with many defined walks. For the fisherman there are also two crystal clear rain fed lakes; one slightly larger than the other. Both have a stone build boathouse housing a rowing boat though an electric outboard is available on request. ‘Twitchers’ will also be in their element here. They are likely to have the opportunity of spotting some varied birdlife such as Wheatear, Stonechat, Red Kite, Buzzard or even a rare Hen Harrier. The main feature of both lakes is the water clarity – never affected by wind or rain and this in turn leads to free rising trout that are always looking skywards for surface food. At first glance the lakes appear barren, with a rock strewn bed and little weed growth; however, weed beds are present albeit mostly submerged and out of view. Hook a lively trout and you will see when they get entangled in the weed fronds! Fly life consists mainly of windblown insects like beetles, cow dung, ants and daddylonglegs. However, the lakes have a good ‘hatch’ of tiny black and green buzzers, damsels, lake olives, sedges and snails. Visiting anglers should take the opportunity to hone their dry fly fishing skills. The larger lake has only wild brown trout with the size varying from around 6 inches to 12 with the odd larger fish pushing 2lb. The smaller lake too has wild brownies with gorgeous red spots, stocked rainbow and blue trout. The average size is around a pound and a quarter but larger fish are stocked - my personal best being a beautiful blue trout of just under 3lb. Best tactic, given the right weather conditions, is to fish 2 dry flies on a medium length leader – maximum 6lb breaking strain. I tend to start with a claret suspender hopper on the point with perhaps a black or red hopper on the dropper or a green CDC. Size 12 or 14 are ideal. If you choose to fish the wild brownie lake then a team of three traditional wet flies works well – try a Butcher on the point, Mallard and Claret in the middle and a Zulu or Bibio on the top dropper. Cast and walk the margins and fish the flies with short fast pulls. Takes are savage and the trout always leap from the water! On colder windier days the dry fly fishing can be a little less productive so a team of three small black nymphs work best. Fish them slowly or static. For recently stocked fish try a slowly stripped Gold Head Montana on a slow sink line. Otherwise you will only ever need a floating line to fish here. If you come in August be prepared for a fall of flying ants – the water gets covered in these insects and trout will take nothing else – have some in red and black in your box just in case! September sees the arrival of the Daddy – don’t be without those. One word of warning though, to fish both lakes from the bank successfully you will require waders or breathables and take a wading staff. The margins are shallow but there is a drop-off about 5m out. You need to be fishing on or beyond the drop off. The bed is rocky and slippery so you will need to use sturdy wading boots. Access to both lakes is good with a public car park and toilet near the larger lake. Those using the boat can park in a designated car park near the boathouse. There is also a designated car park for the smaller lake but you will have a five minute walk to the water’s edge. Take plenty of waterproof clothing as the weather here can change quickly – the Irish Sea is only few miles away! Make a visit to Cregennan a priority – you will not regret it. Full details of tickets and how to obtain them are available elsewhere on this website. Written by Ian Colclough – International Fly Fisherman and team captain in 2015. Guiding is available at certain times.