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These two small reservoirs are located at the end of a
minor road that is reached via the unclassified road linking Ponsticill
and Talybont
Reservoirs, just to the South-East of the central Brecon
Beacons mountain range (see Map
10). Both are fed by the Taf Fechan river that rises high on Pen y
Fan mountain nearby. The same river then also goes on to fill Dol
y Gaer and Ponsticill
Reservoirs, which is quite an accomplishment for such a small stream.
At 2907 feet Pen y Fan is the highest mountain in Great Britain South
of Snowdonia in North Wales. It is the proud centrepiece of the Brecon
Beacons National Park.
Lower Neuadd Reservoir
This is the smallest of the two and measures only 12 acres - more a
pond really. It is a most attractive pond, however, and it is therefore
a shame that fishing is no longer permitted here. It is very near to
the approach road and also to an old former hunting lodge, which has
now fallen into disrepair. There is also a small cottage on the bank,
which is also, sadly, abandoned. If I win the lottery I shall buy this
place and turn the lodge into a fishing and mountaineering inn. It might
not make a huge profit, but it will bring some jollity back to this
haunted corner of paradise. The scenery here is superb and the nearest
neighbours are at least five miles away. Keep dreaming Den.
Upper Neuadd Reservoir
At 57 acres the higher reservoir is much larger than its neglected partner.
It is also open for fishing and is a wild brown trout fishery. Fly fishing
is the only permitted method and small imitative patterns are recommended.
The trout will not be large and they will not be easy to catch, but
it is hard to imagine a more beautiful or more isolated place in which
to fish this side of the Scottish border. You have to walk for about
half a mile to get to the water and then further still to get to the
other side. But that will not bother the true wilderness fisherman.
The coniferous plantations are an affront to the natural beauty of the
mountains, although they do serve to provide some shelter to the angler
in this very isolated spot. The season runs from mid-March to mid-October.
Very reasonably priced tickets (£8.50 in 2007) are available from the Tackle Shop, 185
High Street, Cefn-coed (just to the North of Merthyr Tydfil). The bag limit is 2 fish per day. This fishery is also managed by the excellent Merthyr Tydfil Angling Association. Membership entitles the angler to 4 fish per day on this lovely water.
Other Attractions
There is really only one alternative to fishing here, and that is
to walk the lovely hills surrounding these two stillwaters. The area just to the North of Upper Neauadd
is effectively a mountain crossroads. The trail that runs into the hills
to the North is known as "The Gap" and is strongly believed to have
been originally laid down by the Romans.
It is certainly spectacular and is well worth exploring. You can see
this trail quite clearly running through the centre of the photograph
on this page. There are many other routes from here to the summits of Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Corn Du and the other mountains of the Central Brecon Beacons. Although many of the trails are well marked, you should take
a good map to enjoy the hills to the full. Large scale Ordnance
Survey maps are readily available locally. Watch out for buzzards
and kestrels here and look at the buzzards very closely - you might
actually be looking at a Red Kite. See my Kite
page for more information on how to recognise the symbol of Kite Country.
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