Llyn Crafnant Lakeside Cafe & Fishing — Restaurant in Wales

Planned a two day fly fishing trip at this location 22-23 May 2018 and in preparation booked a boat with an electric motor two weeks in advance. Travelled 4.5 hours from the South West and as a matter of courtesy I called in to the venue upon arrival (21 May) to ensure the boat and motor would be ready the following morning; I was duly informed, “Yes, no problems.” Upon arrival the following morning, the boat wasn’t ready and the first hour was spent with me carrying a power unit and four different electric motors from the cafe’s garage to the water’s edge in a vain attempt to resolve this issue. To no avail I was left with no other option but to use the oars around a 63 acre site on a windy day in a very unsteady boat with no bilge or pump - and disappointingly, a broken oar socket. Fishing was very challenging to say the least with one small wild brown trout caught and no other touches all day. I had been informed by the proprietor that the lake had been stocked two weeks prior with 250 rainbow trout (a drop in the ocean for this sized body of water), however, another member of the same family conversely informed me later that day that only 100-150 fish had been previously stocked... Needless to say I was very disappointed with my fishing experience at Llyn Crafnant and was left with no other option but to find an alternative venue the following day. If you’re an experienced fly fisherman / woman and fancy a day at this stunning location, my advice is to consider your options. This is not a professionally run fly fishing venue (I was the only angler there all day and discovered that people who do fish this location predominantly use spinners and worms!) This venue is more about dog walkers who exercise their dogs around, and in the lake, before visiting the cafe to buy a coffeee and a piece of home-made cake. I give this experience one star based upon the beautifil surroundings only; overall, very...

We we're told by 2 locals we could pabble board for free here, however, our mistake, it was the next lake over, however, we set up, disturbed know one, and enjoyed the beautiful lake. The "owner" (you can't own a lake) stormed over with her son and was extremely rude to me and the children. I apologized and tried to explain we'd made a mistake, but she refused to believe me. When you Google search the lake, there are pictures of paddleboarders. She demanded we pay £25. Now, I'm happy to pay for any service anyone provides, I would happily have paid £25 for the day. However, given the attitude of the lady, and the confrontation, I did not. A lesson for the kids, bad attitude gets you nothing. we took ourselves to the next lake, which was much better, and paid £25 into the honesty box. It has a free car park and a very reasonably priced ice cream van. Which was open!

A message to the "owner", please show some respect to the people who wish to enjoy this beautiful countryside, not everything is about money. Had you been polite, I...

Our adventures yesterday led us to into the less travelled parts of Eryri in an attempt to avoid the pomp of the day. I've not been to this particular spot for years.

We arrived to find the cafe open and decided to stay a while as it as peaceful and the kind of place you can literally feel yourself uncoil and decompress just standing there watching the ripples on the lake. Now, ripples mean fish, and I was pretty much ready to wade in and start trying to catch stuff with my teeth after hearing a few stories. I really miss getting out fishing in a quiet spot like this, 'rona broke the habit for me and I want to get back in there when I can now. It's time to renew that ticket next week I think!

We also made a new friend, Boo the Ginger Boi! He hustled me for both of the cat treats I habitually carry in my bag and chased off a curious dog like it wasn't 6x his size 😂

It's a bit of a trek, but we'll be back...