A Brief History of Caerphilly & District Angling Association

Foundation and Post-War Beginnings

The Association was established in the late 1940s when a group of enthusiastic anglers came together with a shared vision: to organise expeditions to the River Wye and fish the Nantgarw Road moat. Our first President was Mr Curtis, who at the time managed the Food Office located above the car showroom in Castle Street. In a remarkable reflection of the era, the club's initial funds came from donations by local farmers and butchers who were approached whilst applying for licences to slaughter animals under the meat rationing system still in force following the war.

Early Expeditions and Travelling in Style

The club's earliest trips to the River Wye were somewhat rustic affairs, with members travelling in the back of a lorry. However, by the early 1950s, we had upgraded to Roberts Coaches—a sign of the club's growing prosperity and ambition. Such was the popularity of these outings that the coach was invariably full, and on more than one occasion, the driver would stop in Lower Machen to collect stakes from the hedgerows, which were placed across the aisle to create makeshift benches for additional passengers. The 1954 balance sheet recorded total club funds of £19 12s 8d. Annual Christmas dinners became a cherished tradition, held at the old Clive Hotel where members enjoyed a festive meal for seven shillings (equivalent to 35 pence today), with local MPs Ness Edwards and Cannon Short attending as guests of honour.

Adversity and Adaptation

The late 1950s brought both opportunity and challenge. The South Lake was flooded, creating new fishing possibilities, but this was soon followed by a devastating fish kill caused by pollution from the nearby Penrhos Tip. In compensation for the loss of fishing, the club received £1,500, which enabled us to provide alternative fishing on the River Wye for members. With the South Lake now flooded and accessible, the club secured an official lease from the Ministry of Ancient Monuments, allowing fishing on both lakes and the expansion of membership beyond the previous limit of 50 anglers.

Growth Through the 1960s and 1970s

The club had sought permission to fish local rivers under the jurisdiction of Caerphilly Council since the early 1950s, but approval was not granted until the 1960s—shortly after Taffs Well Anglers secured similar rights for the River Taff. It is believed that Taffs Well Anglers benefited from having councillors among their membership. The 1970s saw further expansion with the signing of a lease for a stretch of the River Rhymney at Llanbradach, and the introduction of the first club ties. In 1975, the club joined the Welsh Federation of Coarse Anglers (WFCA) and has remained a proud member ever since.

Modern Development and Future Prospects

The late 1980s marked another significant milestone with the formation of the Rhymney River Association of Angling Clubs, established to safeguard fishing rights along our river. Additional leases were secured from the council for the Bedwas stretch. The early 1990s brought further expansion with leases signed for Dreathen and a section of the Wye at Wyesham. Today, at 77 years old, the Association continues to flourish, having recently acquired additional stretches of the Rhymney at Machen and Cefn Mabley. In 2019, we added a new stillwater venue to our portfolio: Semtex Lake at Brynmawr, ensuring that the club remains well-positioned to serve its members for generations to come.