THE fishing industry coming to Rhayader is great news for the town and should provide a boost to trade and tourism, say local businesses.
The Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships are descending on the town this week and will be making use of the pubs and accommodation around Rhayader, including the Elan Valley.
Kerena and Stephen Pugh who run Lôn Lodges, Nantmel and are one of the official sponsors of the competition currently have the Scottish Ladies Fishing Team staying, and will be fully booked throughout the tournament.
“The town is buzzing,” said Kerena. ”It’s fantastic for the town all round.
"I also work with CARAD so I had the pleasure of seeing everyone working hard on the banner currently on display outside the Lamb and Flag.”
The Championships coming to town is turning out to be a real family affair.
“My parents run Hafod Hardware and they’ve done a window display, and my husband drove the dragon which led Wednesday’s parade.
“This is a well-respected fishing area and Rhayader has really good accommodation to match.
"Teams have been arriving since last Wednesday so they are not just here for the duration of the tournament, it’s having an effect which reaches further than just a few days.”
Kerena’s father, Alan Lewis who runs Hafod Hardware is the treasurer of the Rhayader and Elan Valley Angling Association and explained how the competition will run.
“There will be 11 teams, with five competitors per team and one reserve,” he told the County Times.
“There are five venues and there will be a maximum of 11 competitors at any venue at any one time - one from each team.
"There will then be 11 invigilators to measure the fish as they are caught and put them back.
“Points are scored based on the length of the fish, rather than the number of fish caught,” he added.
The competition includes teams from Canada, England, New Zealand, as well as two teams each from Wales, Australia, Scotland (mens’ and womens’) and South Africa (mens’ and womens’).
The Wales teams will feature three members of the Rhayader and Elan Valley Angling Association - Paul Metcalf from Llandrindod, and Phil Price and Dale Fowkes from Knighton.
As a rural tourist town, Rhayader is always busy this time of year, but the fishing competiton has brought that little bit extra to all the local shops, pubs and businesses, said Alan.
“I think the effects will rub off for some time to come, bringing fishermen to the area,” he said.
Wednesday’s parade featured the Girl Guides, Army Cadets, St Johns Cadets, a Rhayader samba band, pupils from Nantmel and Bryntirion primary schools, as well as speeches from the chair of the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Committee Jill Mandeno and appearances from Rhayader Mayor Cllr Lee Price, Kirsty Wiliams AM, Nick Bourne AM and Roger Williams MP.