River Towy - Fish Species

Fish Species

The Towy is nationally known for its run of big sea trout (local name sewin), the sea-going form of the brown trout (Salmo trutta). These fish enter the river each spring and early summer to breed in the tributaries. Anglers and estuary netsmen have taken them to over 20lb (9kg) in weight. In summer and autumn there is also a substantial run of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). In May the Towy has a run of the rare and protected twaite shad (Alosa fallax) and allis shad (Alosa alosa). 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 388lb and nine feet two inches (2.75m) in length which was caught in the river near Nantgaredig by Alec Allen on July 28 1932. Its photograph can be seen in the Cresselly Arms at Pontargothi on the A40.