Barmouth Bridge, Gwynedd

Situated off the main A470 South Wales\North Wales road on the A496. Plenty of parking on the seafront, but a charge is made during the summer. Walk back eastwards towards Dolgellau about 500yds and take the right hand footpath down to the bridge. A small toll is payable to gain access to the bridge.

GROUND
You can only fish facing eastwards down the estuary due to the railway line on the west side of the bridge. In front of you lies a shallow sandbank that fully uncovers, even on neap tides. A deep gutter runs under the bridge structure which is where the fish congregate, but it has some rocks and debris in so tackle can be lost and also gets snagged on the bridge supports.

The gutter is only a few yards wide in most places, so do not cast off the bridge, simply lower your tackle straight down into the water.

PROSPECTS
A good February and March venue for roe filled flounder travelling down the estuary to spawn. Flounder start to return during the first week of April, quickly followed by Bass in mid month and mullet by early May. Eels show during May too. But beware of catching lesser weavers here as the period May through July can produce literally dozens of these poisonous fish in a single day. Some good sized plaice are taken fishing directly into the main channel of the estuary over low water during May and June.

During spring flood tides in early autumn, odd whiting can be caught, dabs and rockling. Small thornbacks have been recorded, but should not be targeted as a species. Mackerel have been known to swim as far as the bridge during big tides in high summer.

TIME AND TIDES
The tide run is extremely strong here during spring tides and almost unfishable. However, low water and the first two hours of the flood give good fishing for bass, flounders, dogfish and eels.

Timing is not that important, but the better bass tend to show up over dawn low waters. Gales from the west can bring masses of weed down the estuary from the open sea, but such times often give the best fishing. Fishes poor on easterly winds and during the ebb tide.

BAITS AND RIGS
Locals tend to stick with a simple flowing trace positioned immediately behind the lead to keep the bait right on the seabed. Use a strong hook like a Mustad Viking or Mustad Bass hook size 1/0 or 2/0. Avoid Aberdeen's and weaker strength hooks.

Tackle needs to be strong. Namely a standard beachcaster and reel loaded with at least 20lb line for the fish have to winched directly up through mid air for 30ft at low water.

The most popular bait is lugworm, though you'll need to buy this from a tackle shop or bring it with you as little is available locally. Crab is good for the bass and flounders, frozen sandeel for dogfish, and mackerel will also catch fish.

WEATHER
Heavy rain falling in the mountains will have an adverse effect on the fishing by bringing acidic levels down below the tolerance of most fish. Fishes best in sou'west and westerly winds between force 2 to 4.

Can fish well for flounders and especially mullet in calm, settled spells.