A LAKE popular with anglers and that featured as part of a recent TV series is going to be closed over the summer due to a large presence of algae and ammonia.

The Rhayader and Elan Valley Angling Association said on Friday (May 19) that the lake, situated high above Rhayader in the Cambrian Mountains, will be closed for the entire summer season.

It comes after refunds were offered to anglers earlier this year due to ongoing issues, with the committee deciding that the winter season at Llyngwyn should be cancelled.

The association posted on its Facebook page: “We would like to provide an update on Llyngwyn Lake.

“On April 7th the club undertook survey of the lake using and underwater camera and drone footage from above. The result was that we have a large spread of filamentous algae covering the whole lake and a thick layer of ammonia rich soil on the bed.

Wales Farmer: Gone Fishing filmed at the lake in 2021.Gone Fishing filmed at the lake in 2021. (Image: None)

“On the 15th of April, after a week of sunshine we had another large bloom of the surface algae which seems (to) be a reoccurring issue when the sun comes out.

“Samples were taken and sent to our team dealing with the issue, however, we must now wait for the water temperature to rise to 16°C before we can take another sample for the report to be conclusive.

“A water treatment plan is being drawn up and the club is doing everything we can to have the lake back open before the winter season commences.

“We appreciate everyone's patience at this time. We know how disappointing this is but if we take the time to sort out the root causes then hopefully this is an issue we can avoid happening again.”

The association revealed that it did have support from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) initially but that it is now managing the issue via a private consultancy.

The lake holds a somewhat mystical presence locally – having been stocked with carp by Cistercian Monks from nearby Abbeycwmhir as far back as the 12th century – and has long been popular with anglers, both local and from afar.

Beloved British comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse were reeled in by the fascinating, ancient local tale involving mystical fish and monks, and filmed there as their popular Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing returned to BBC Two for series four in May 2021.

Llyngwyn is a 16-acre spring-fed natural lake three miles east of Rhayader, accessible off the A44 and the A470, and is situated along the old Rhayader mountain road to Aberystwyth. The lake varies in depth, from shallow margins to 55 feet at its deepest.

Wales Farmer: Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer filmed at the lake in 2021.Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer filmed at the lake in 2021. (Image: None)

As long ago as the 12th century the lake was fished by the monks on their travels from the abbey at Strata Florida across the Cambrian Mountains to Pontrhydfendigaid, near Tregaron.

The same strain of carp is said to still exist in the lake today and you can fish for them using fly fishing tackle – and it was this story that hooked the comedic duo into filming the new episode.

“I wrote to them after watching the Christmas special last year and told them about Llyngwyn,” said keen local angler Tom Jones, treasurer of the Rhayader and Elan Valley Angling Association, who fishes the lake often.

“The production team loved the story about Llyngwyn and how this ancient strain of carp was put there by the monks as they passed between the abbeys.”