Legendary Welsh angler Hywel Morgan needs little introduction. T&S caught up with the world fly casting champion ahead of his appearance at The GWCT Welsh Game Fair, which is being held Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September at Vaynol Park near Bangor. Here, the 48-year-old reveals his all-time favourite fly, the influence his late father had on his life and how he achieved a world record for casting almost 30 years ago
When the river Teifi lured a young Hywel back in the 70s, he tentatively wet his line in the water marking the start of a lifelong journey that would see him become one of the most celebrated fly anglers in Wales. Born and raised in Ceredigion, Hywel was fortunate to be introduced to the art of fishing at a tender age. In an era when children were free to explore and roam the rivers and canals unsupervised, Hywel’s childhood was filled with countless hours spent outdoors. At just three years old, armed with his wicker basket and a 6ft glass fibre rod, Hywel would venture to the river while his mother ran the nearly post office. The village community kept a watchful eye, ensuring his safety as he cast his line, forging an unbreakable bond with a river that would shape his future.
As he grew older, Hywel’s expeditions extended well into the day, often not returning home until dusk when hunger beckoned him back. Hywel fondly recalls those carefree days, lamenting the fact that modern safety concerns prevent many children from experiencing the freedom he once knew.
“Nowadays, many people don’t find fishing until later in life, perhaps when they are retired. If more children were encouraged to explore the wonders of fishing, the world would witness an influx of lifelong anglers, passionate custodians of the rivers and ardent advocates for conservation,” he says.
Hywel comes from a long line of anglers and late father, Moc Morgan, played a pivotal role in shaping his career. A superstar angler in Wales and one of the most prominent and outspoken fishing authors of his time, Moc’s influence on Hywel cannot be overstated. His legacy lives on through his son, who carries the torch with pride.
Having grown up in his father’s shadow, Hywel decided to make a name for himself and started competing in casting competitions as a teenager. He started at local country fairs, then progressed to The Game Fair where for three successive years he won every event. As a result he was asked not to compete any more so that others could have a chance of winning… and all this before he was 16 years old.
He then turned to the British Casting Association and started to compete at British, European and World casting championships. During this time he amassed numerous titles including World Games Accuracy Casting Champion, European Distance Casting Champion, European silver medallist for accuracy, 14 British casting records, six times All Round British Champion, over 100 British individual titles and even the World Record holder in 1996 for casting 66 rods simultaneously.
Having been highly successful in the casting scene, Hywel decided to return to competitive fishing to prove to his peers that he could actually catch fish too. He has represented Wales on 22 occasions (and has been captain for his country three times), six times of which were at home internationals, where he was Top Rod on three occasions. Six times were at World Championships, where he captained the Welsh team to a silver medal in Ireland in 1995 and was a member of the silver medal winning team at England 2000. There were also eight times for the Welsh Bank team and twice at the Commonwealth Championships. Individually he has been one of the most successful competitors from all the home countries.
Today, Hywel uses his success as a fly angler and caster to share his knowledge and expertise with others. With a wealth of experience fishing Welsh reservoirs, stillwaters, lakes, and rivers, he now works as a self-employed guide and instructor, offering tuition to anglers across the country. Whether pursuing rainbow trout, wild brown trout, sewin, or grayling, Hywel’s instruction promises not only a bountiful catch but also an improved technique in a remarkably short period.
Beyond his personal achievements, Hywel’s family has also become an integral part of the angling world. His wife, Debbie, and their two daughters, Yasmin and Tanya, have all made their mark in the fishing arena. Debbie has fished for the Welsh Ladies Team on 14 occasions and was British Champion on Loch Lein in 2009 and was Welsh Champion 2014. Tanya, now aged 17, has fished for the youth team twice before Covid hit and was Welsh Youth Champion in 2017. Yasmine, now 25 years old, found her passion in casting and won the UK championships at The Game Fair when she was just 14. The Morgan family’s collective love for fishing exemplifies the importance of shared experiences and the enduring bond it creates.
In addition to his fishing accomplishments, Hywel has become an ambassador for both the Japanese tackle brand Daiwa and the Angling Trust, further cementing his status as a respected figure in the angling community. In partnership with Daiwa, he has developed his own line of fishing rods, showcasing his deep understanding of the craft of rod building. Constructed with X45 Carbon for exceptional lightness and durability, his series of technical fly rods were met with critical acclaim by the industry when they launched in 2020.
Hywel’s contributions to angling extend beyond his personal achievements, his insatiable thirst for adventure and exploration has led him to new frontiers in media. Currently filming the second series of Untamed Anglers with James Stokoe and Ripon Khalique, the popular Fishing TV show takes viewers on exhilarating fishing expeditions that capture the essence of the untamed wilderness. Due to air early next year, the new series of five episodes will see them visit Lochore in Fife for ferox trout and Grafham water in Huntingdonshire for predatory fish.
Hywel’s presence at game fairs and casting demonstrations throughout the country continues to inspire and educate, leaving an indelible mark on the angling community.
Looking to the future, Hywel envisions the GWCT Welsh Game Fair as a platform to showcase fishing in Wales to a broader audience. He passionately advocates for his homeland, urging anglers to recognise the wealth of wild brown trout rivers and lakes that rival any in the UK. Through the two-day event’s fishing attractions, casting competitions, demonstrations, and fly tying showcases, Hywel hopes to inform and educate, fostering an appreciation for the angling treasures hidden within the Welsh landscape. When reflecting on his favourite fishing locations in Wales, Hywel highlights the Teifi pools, where he caught his first wild brown trout, as a place of deep personal significance. The absence of mobile phone signal allows for total escapism, immersing oneself in the tranquillity of nature. The river Dee in north Wales also holds a special place in his heart as one of the best grayling rivers in Europe. Lastly, Hywel cherishes the freedom and adventure of fishing off the coast from his kayak, pursuing bass in the vastness of the Irish Sea.
Hywel’s 30-minute demonstrations at The GWCT Welsh Game Fair will start with a history of angling where he shows equipment used over 200 years ago and explains the development of the materials used in the evolution of the flyfishing rod. He casts with seven rods simultaneously and shows how easy it is to cast distance with basic and specialist tackle. He will showcase one of his more unusual talents by taking the audience on an imaginary fishing trip and shows how clumsy he can be: breaking the fly rod down until he is using the equivalent of a knitting needle… but still casting the same distance as he would with a full-length rod. The last part sees Hywel using salmon rods, showing and explaining about single and double spey casts and their alternatives. The whole demonstration culminates with a salmon distance-cast of in excess of 80 metres. As well as Hywel’s demos, visitors can paddle across in the lake in a traditional Welsh coracle, thanks to The Coracle Society exhibiting both days, and browse the numerous Welsh fishing associations that will be present. The fly tying tent will see top names such as Trevor Jones, Melvin Wood, Tim Wood, Stephen Smalley and Mathew Pate giving demos and answering questions all weekend. The event is also playing host to the final of the Game Fair Casting Championships, where anglers from all over Britain that have qualified in dry fly accuracy, trout distance and salmon distance at the Scottish, English and Welsh Game Fairs go head-to-head. Last year’s champion, 19-year-old Scottish plumber Robert Reid will be back competing to defend his title.
Despite a lifetime of remarkable fishing experiences, Hywel, like any angler, carries with him the memory of the one that got away. For him, it was a sea trout on the River Ystwyth, a battle etched in his memory for over 35 years. The fish’s sheer size left him and his father frozen in awe, but a momentary lapse saw the fish escape their grasp. The memory remains a haunting reminder of the capricious nature of fishing and the enduring allure it holds. Hywel feels the best fly ever invented is the Diawl Bach, which means ‘little devil’ in Welsh.
“It is a Welsh pattern and I can guarantee you every angler in the UK has some in their fly box,” he enthuses, adding that if he were to choose one last species to catch, he declares it would undoubtedly be a grayling. “I admire their fighting spirit, which belies their size, and the ethereal beauty of their dorsal fin.”
In his decades-long journey as an angler, Hywel has come to appreciate the profound lessons fishing imparts. It serves as a great reality check, humbling even the most knowledgeable angler.
“Just when I think I have deciphered the intricacies of fish behaviour, nature surprises and reminds me of my place,” he says, adding: “Understanding entomology, thinking like a fish, and honing the ability to read the water are essential skills for success, yet even the most seasoned angler knows that fish do not abide by strict rules. This mysterious aspect of the sport continues to beckon and captivate, ensuring that anglers return time and time again.”
If Hywel could choose anyone to share a boat with, he would undoubtedly select Brian Leadbetter, a two-time World Champion angler. Hywel fondly recalls their fishing excursions on the Dee, praising Brian’s thoughtfulness and generosity in sharing his knowledge. He was a phenomenal angler. Now in his 70s, Leadbetter stands as a testament to bonds that are forged on the water.
“A happy boat always catches more fish,” says Hywel.
Hywel’s journey as an angler and his dedication to promoting fishing in Wales are a testament to his unwavering love for the sport. With each cast, he pays homage to his late father’s influence and carries on his legacy. As the rivers of Wales continue to flow, Hywel remains steadfast in his commitment to conservation and ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to discover the joy and wonder of fishing.
