There are only a very few individuals that can say, “I have experienced the full cycle of angling … a small boy fishing the streams in North Whales with worms for trout … to competing and winning international fly fishing competitions … to an acclaimed fly tier and designer … to producer of instructional videos / DVD’s … author of magazine articles and books.”

Gwilym Henry Hughes fishing at the age of 9 ... years later, with his 17 pound salmon

Gwilym started fishing as a young boy on small trout streams in North Wales progressing from fishing with worms, to fly fishing wet flies down stream and followed by dry flies up stream.

At the age of 12, he was a regular on the lower reaches of the River Dwyfor, catching sea trout from the prolific runs on this spate river both during the day with various baits and progressing to night time fly fishing.

His interest and dedication to the sport of fly fishing progressed through his teenage years encouraged by his father and the late Rhys Price Jones who took Gwilym to the Cefni Reservoir in Anglesey where in competition he became runner up in the Welsh Fly Fishing Association Challenge Shield.

This result left a mark on Gwilym dedication and competitive fly fishing became an obsession with him notching up an array of club and international trophies along the route.  His dedication paid off when in 1983, fishing in his first international match, representing Wales he secured the coveted Brown Bowl Trophy – International Stillwater Champion, with his catch of brown trout on the Loch of Harray in Orkney.  He represented his county on seven occasions between 1984 and 1987 when he had the honor of captaining the Welsh Stillwater Team.

In 1991, when after observing the Fips Mouche – World Championship Match on the River Dee in North Wales, he became aware of fishing methods that were then unknown to him.  The Europeans had swept away the glory through fishing deep with heavy-weighted nymphs.  Gwilym concentrated on the new methods and secured a place on the Welsh International River Team, his concentration and approach improved and he fished in seven successive competitions winning the Moc Morgan Trophy – International River Champion in 1998 on the River Tweed in Scotland.  He also represented Wales in the World Championship matches and was the Coach of the Welsh Ladies International Team for four years.

In 1998, Gwilym retired from the international competitive angling scene and concentrated his efforts on fly tying and writing articles for fishing magazines.

His interest in fly dressing during the mid 90’s drew the attention of Lureflash International and for a period of time he was a consultant with the company, he was engaged in development of synthetic fly dressing materials and development of fly patterns using modern materials , he also successfully run the Lureflash International’s Fly Tying competition through the pages of Trout Fisherman magazine and over a number of years had various articles published in Fly Fishing and Fly Tying magazine.

His passion and dedication for angling finds him mentoring others in the aspects of fishing.  Gwilym has produced several angling videos and DVD’s and most recently, has written an autobiography about his life within the angling world The Angle of the Cast.  Gwilym is a member of the Hardy Academy and Hardy Fly Fishing School – along with running G.H. Sporting (business Affiliate Member of the Federation of Welsh Anglers).  Other achievements are the Salmon and Trout Association National Instructors Certificate (STANIC), Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructor Certificate (APGAI), and the Vice-President of the Game Angling Instructors Association.

Introduction –
Why write a book about my life in general and its connection through to “Angling”?  The reasons are many and varied and I cannot exactly say that one would take priority over another, whereas collectively it would make sense to say that “Angling” is my life and always has been.  Other matters within my life have quite often taken second place; such has been and still remains the grip of its addictiveness.  I have set out to record memories of my experiences in the hope that one day someone may find them useful.  The dedication within is directed at my parents, Ella and Griff who were doubtless bewildered by how their little boy evolved through time.  If is also dedicated to my wife Sarah who understands me totally, cares for me, and allows me the time and space to be who I am.  Last but not least, my children Jenifer and Heather who often wondered where their father was when he was not in work.

My thanks go out to everyone with whom I have had the pleasure of their company.  Their advice, be it good or bad, has helped shape the character that will appear in the following pages.

I will do my utmost to avoid areas that I believe are adequately covered in other fishing publications but, in case if I do transgress I apologize to all you splendid authors now.

As advice goes and for what it’s worth, always listen to others.  It is the lessons from their experiences that will allow you to gain your own, easier and quicker, thus affording you more knowledge and time to exploit your own chances in angling.  Try, though it be not easy at times, to be at peace with everyone and, whatever you do, don’t waste too much time reading this when you could be fishing, leave it for those moments when you can’t.

Gwilym Hughes

DVDs



Videos