Idwal is a Ramsar-designated cirque lake in Cwm Idwal NNR — eleven hectares of clear water at three hundred and seventy-three metres, beneath Y Garn and Glyder Fawr, with the Devil's Kitchen scar above. Wild brown trout to a pound, occasionally to a pound and a half. A kilometre's paved walk from Ogwen Cottage — the most accessible of the OVAA waters, and the most-walked-past. Bank fishing only; no swimming.
A patient day, if you fancy it
Glassy and bright — hard work without a breeze. A flat lough is a quiet lough — wait for the breeze.
40% confidence — limited data
Wind 40 km/h — strong wind on open water. Use caution afloat; sheltered bays recommended.
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Wind
SW 40 km/h
Strong breeze
Wave
80 cm wave
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
11°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
993 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
How to fish · for brown trout
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Late April–June; evening rises through summer
Where
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach on the point.
Today's tactical plan
The plan
Plan A · Plan B · what to watch · bank or boat
The plan
Plan A
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach on the point.
Plan B
If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.
Watch for
Watch for Sedge towards evening — this could be the best window of the day.
Bank, sheltered shores
Strong wind makes boat fishing difficult — sheltered bank spots near lee shores will fish best.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
1
2
1
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
6 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
The factors driving today's verdict
Why this score
- Wind conditions (strong) are not ideal for this water.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Access · 1
Check the current rules, permits and access before travelling.
Day ticket via Fishing PassportOgwen Valley Angling Association (via Fishing Passport)
Wild brown troutFly only
Ramsar-designated cirque lake in Cwm Idwal NNR — wild brown trout to 1 lb (occasionally 1.5 lb). 1km paved walk from Ogwen Cottage. Bank only. No swimming.
OVAA day ticket via Passport. Traditional fly only — no bubble float. 1km paved walk from Ogwen Cottage. No swimming. EA/NRW rod licence required.
Arrange access →About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
About this water
Llyn Idwal, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedLlyn Idwal · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Idwal is a Ramsar-designated cirque lake in Cwm Idwal NNR — eleven hectares of clear water at three hundred and seventy-three metres, beneath Y Garn and Glyder Fawr, with the Devil's Kitchen scar above. Wild brown trout to a pound, occasionally to a pound and a half. A kilometre's paved walk from Ogwen Cottage — the most accessible of the OVAA waters, and the most-walked-past. Bank fishing only; no swimming.
- Lake
- Ordovician volcanics
Llyn Idwal · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Llyn Idwal
Idwal is a Ramsar-designated cirque lake in Cwm Idwal NNR — eleven hectares of clear water at three hundred and seventy-three metres, beneath Y Garn and Glyder Fawr, with the Devil's Kitchen scar above.
Species
A patient day, if you fancy it
Glassy and bright — hard work without a breeze. A flat lough is a quiet lough — wait for the breeze.
40% confidence — limited data
Wind 40 km/h — strong wind on open water. Use caution afloat; sheltered bays recommended.
Conditions
Wind
SW 40 km/h
Strong breeze
Wave
80 cm wave
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
11°C
Cloud
Overcast
Pressure
993 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
41%
Cloud70%
Wind30%
Temp25%
Conditions are away from this venue's sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with mixed skies.
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Late April–June; evening rises through summer
Where
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach on the point.
The plan
Plan A
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Pheasant Tail Nymph on the bob and Diawl Bach on the point.
Plan B
If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.
Watch for
Watch for Sedge towards evening — this could be the best window of the day.
Bank, sheltered shores
Strong wind makes boat fishing difficult — sheltered bank spots near lee shores will fish best.
Why this score
- Wind conditions (strong) are not ideal for this water.
- Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
1
2
1
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Access · 1
Check the current rules, permits and access before travelling.
Day ticket via Fishing PassportOgwen Valley Angling Association (via Fishing Passport)
Wild brown troutFly only
Ramsar-designated cirque lake in Cwm Idwal NNR — wild brown trout to 1 lb (occasionally 1.5 lb). 1km paved walk from Ogwen Cottage. Bank only. No swimming.
OVAA day ticket via Passport. Traditional fly only — no bubble float. 1km paved walk from Ogwen Cottage. No swimming. EA/NRW rod licence required.
Arrange access →Directions
About this water
Idwal is a Ramsar-designated cirque lake in Cwm Idwal NNR — eleven hectares of clear water at three hundred and seventy-three metres, beneath Y Garn and Glyder Fawr, with the Devil's Kitchen scar above. Wild brown trout to a pound, occasionally to a pound and a half. A kilometre's paved walk from Ogwen Cottage — the most accessible of the OVAA waters, and the most-walked-past. Bank fishing only; no swimming.
- Lake
- Ordovician volcanics
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Idwal is a Ramsar-designated cirque lake in Cwm Idwal NNR — eleven hectares of clear water at three hundred and seventy-three metres, beneath Y Garn and Glyder Fawr, with the Devil's Kitchen scar above. Wild brown trout to a pound, occasionally to a pound and a half. A kilometre's paved walk from Ogwen Cottage — the most accessible of the OVAA waters, and the most-walked-past. Bank fishing only; no swimming.
Other water nearby · 5