Masonic Trout & Salmon Flyfishing Club

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Tuesday, the 16th May, proved to be a special day for the Masonic Trout & Salmon Flyfishing Club (M.T.S.F.C.) as Freemasons from right across the North Wales Province held their first ever Event at Tan-y-Mynydd Trout Fishery, near Abergele.

Tan-y-Mynydd Trout Fishery is to be found sitting in the foothills of the Clwydian Range of mountains amongst some of the finest countryside that North Wales has to offer and has been voted the Best Fly Fishery in the UK by readers of the Trout Fisherman Magazine.

What was especially unique about the day is that it was the first event to be held outside England and we were privileged to have the Club President, Gordon Bourne and one of the Founder Members, Ken Haslar, travel up to steer us in the right direction.

The aim of the Club is, quite simply, to share with mentally and physically disabled children, our love and pleasure of a days trout fishing.

Three local schools were eager to take up the offer and eight children from each school duly arrived at the Fishery with serious designs on catching a trout.

A total of twelve Teachers also made the trip, representing Ysgol Belmont, Ysgol y Bryn and Ysgol Delyn.

Of the forty something Casters & Helpers, who gave up their time to assist in making this a day to remember, the majority were Freemasons or members of their families. Several of the Fisherys' Regulars also voluntarily took time off work to ensure that no child left without a trout to take home. The Catering Team ensured that everyone received Bacon Baps and a steaming hot cup of Tea or Coffee prior to the arrival of the school Mini Buses.

After Registration and being paired with their Caster for the day, the children were soon dispersed around the lakes and it wasn't long before we saw the rods bending. The air was filled with the screams of delight as the youngsters landed their catches, with the appropriate help from their Helpers.

A break for lunch saw the extremely capable Catering Team swinging into action again as they served the children with Burgers, Hot Dogs, Crisps, Cold Drinks and an assortment of sandwiches. The fresh air in the beautiful countryside had made the children ravenous and a huge basket of fruit was soon decimated as the hungry children also devoured the fruit.

A further fishing session carried on after lunch with several more fish being caught and smiling, beaming faces were to be seen wherever you looked. All to soon, it was time to finish fishing and the Pupils and Teachers made their way back to the Reception Marquee were every Participant was presented with a framed Certificate to mark their achievement, by the President of the Club, Gordon Bourne and the North Wales Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Ieuan Redvers Jones.

The day had been an outstanding success and as the Mini Buses wound their way back up the road on their journey back to their individual schools, the children didn't stop waving until they were well out of sight, which made a most memorable image for all those left behind - many of whom had tears in their eyes.