96 



The easten end of the lake is throughout deep, the opposite end from 

 the island westward shallow. The oontour of the surrounding country reveals 

 this, even if the fact had not been ascertained. Pike, perch, roach, and eels are 

 the common fish of this water. I hare never heard of tench or trout being 

 caught there. The pike are numerous, and have been taken over 301bs. The 

 perch run to the weight of 21b. and even 31bs., and are "most pleasant to 

 taste." The perch is in my opinion the best of all fresh water fish, saving the 

 Salmonidfe. The eels are very numerous, and grow to a large size ; they are 

 of two kinds, the flat nosed and the sharp nosed. Every autumn, on the first 

 rise of water, if the wind blows down the lake from the south-east, large 

 numbers of eels make their exit from the lake at night, and if not intercepted by 

 the eel nets and traps on the Llyfni, find their way to the Wye, and thence to 

 the sea. Their annual migration is coincident with, and as regular as, the fall 

 of the leaf. The remarks of Leland as to the fish inhabiting this lake are given 

 subsequently. Giraldus has the following: — "The famous lake of Brecheinioc 

 supplies the county with pike, perch, excellent trout, tench, and eels." 



In the olden time the privilege of fishing in this lake was esteemed of 

 great value. By various charters grants of fishing were made to the monks of 

 the Priory of Brecknock, and of Llanthoni, which latter place is not very far 

 distant across the Black mountains. One of the successors of Bernard Newmarch 

 gave to the monks of Brecknock: — "The land of St. Paulinus upon the Mere 

 (now called Llangorse Lake), with the liberty of fishing three days in the week, 

 and every day during the terms of Lent and Advent." 



The present owners of the Priory and Abbey estates are still legally 

 possessed of these rights. There are also other rights of fishery in the lake — 

 altogether seven — and within the last twenty years certain fishermen living 

 near Cathedine regularly netted the water. The form of net used was a seine, 

 having a large purse in the centre. This they "pitched" here and there, and 

 when pulling in the two ends of the net together on board the boat, drove the 

 fish back into the purse. No one for the last ten years has made a practice of 

 netting the lake, and the distinctive rights of fishery, formerly strictly observed, 

 are no longer maintained. The only modes of fishing now in vogue are those 

 by angling, and with trimmers, and the public enjoy the privilege of fishing 

 the lake, when and where they like, without asking the leave of any of the 

 representatives of the former owners. The pike are now very numerous, and 

 the perch and roach still more so. 



Water fowl of various kinds abound, chiefly the moorhen, baldcoot, grebe, 

 and wild duck. There are also about a dozen swans on the lake, which Mr. 

 Pvaikes has brought there. Plovers, herons, and sea gulls are constantly to be 

 seen, and, not the least remarkable, large flocks of starlings, which roost 

 throughout the autumn and winter months in the tall sedges. Every winter 

 brings many other kinds of water fo»l from the sea to the lake, and not 

 uiifrequently some that are very rare. 



