Police act on poaching complaints at Eryri's 'floating island' lake

For centuries Llyn Dywarchen was associated with a floating island said to have vanished without trace. These days it more likely to be the fish that are disappearing.

The lake, near Rhyd-Ddu, gives wonderful views toward Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in the distance. Renowned for its beauty and tranquility, it was once nominated by the public as one of the 60 Wonders of Eryri (Snowdonia).

But in recent times its waters have been more troubled. Poachers have been reported, some even fishing from boats owned by members of the Seiont Gwyrfai and Llyfni Fishing Society, which has angling rights to the lake.

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Non-members can fish Llyn Dywarchen by buying season, weekly or day tickets. But members have complained of coming across groups of people fishing illegally who, when challenged, become “verbally abusive”. Others have questioned whether it’s worth their while fishing there anymore.

Mindful of the complaints, North Wales Police rural crime officers have now begun patrolling the area. A spokesperson said: “The team has received numerous reports of persons illegally taking fish from Llyn Dywarchen in Rhyd Ddu.

"Therefore, along with our partners from Natural Resources Wales we have increased our patrols in the area.” People fishing without a rod licence can be prosecuted and fined up to £2,500.

The police made a similar commitment last summer. But since the start of this year’s fishing season, in March, the problem has re-emerged. Rural crime officers are now asking people to report “any information that can help deter this”. The team can be contacted via the NWP live web chat or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone

There was a time when Llyn Dywarchen (Turf Lake) itself was reputed to be light-fingered. For centuries, the lake’s “floating island” was a major attraction - in 1784 Flintshire-born writer Thomas Pennant reported how cattle were carried off by the island if they wandered onto it.

It’s a claim that goes back as far as 1188, when Giraldus Cambrensis noted how the island was “driven from one side to the other by the force of the wind”. Local shepherds, he said, were left astonished as their cattle “while feeding were carried to distant parts of the lake.”

In 1698, the astronomer Edmund Halley swam out to check for himself, claiming he was able to steer it around the lake. Stories like this prompted artist Richard Wilson to depict the island being piloted by a man holding a long pole.

The floating island has long gone but a rocky islet remains. It may or may not have been a myth – but floating islands do exist, some large enough to support trees, kept afloat by light spongy plant material and gases from decomposing vegetation.

In the 19th century, as local copper mining grew, Llyn Dywarchen was dammed to create a reservoir. In 2013, the plug was pulled so the lake could be emptied and the dam repointed. Just enough water was left in the reservoir so that its rainbow and wild brown trout didn’t die. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday

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