Nantgaredig Abercothi

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Many thanks to Abercothi Estate Fishery for facilitating this location and to Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales for capitally funding this installation. The Towy is a national draw for big sea trout. These fish enter the river each spring and early summer to breed in the tributaries. Anglers and estuary netsmen have taken them to over 20 lb in weight. In summer and autumn there is also a substantial run of Atlantic salmon. In May the Towy has a run of the rare and protected twaite shad and allis shad . The Towy also contains brown trout, eels, pike, and a variety of small fish species. It is home to brook lampreys, river lampreys and sea lampreys. The Towy has the distinction of having accidentally produced by far the biggest fish ever taken on rod and line in Britain. This was a sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) weighing 388 lb and nine feet two inches in length which was caught in the river near Nantgaredig by Alec Allen on July 28, 1932. The river rises within 15 km (9.3 mi) of the Teifi on the lower slopes of Crug Gynan in the Cambrian Mountains and, flowing through the steep, rugged hills of the Towy Forest, forms the border between Ceredigion and Powys. The river flows generally south-westwards through Carmarthenshire.