Coracle fishing on the River Cleddau was still being practised in 1941
and it is recorded that a licence to fish the river was issued in 1939
for one pair of coracles.
Above Llawhaden Bridge in the 1860s there were no more than six pairs
and below the bridge another six to ten teams also fished. The river is
also known for poaching from coracles and it is recorded that in the 1830s
the fishing rights were held by the Baron de Rutzen whose men apprehended
poachers in coracles at Blackpool Mill.
The design of the Cleddau coracle is unusually squat in design and not
unlike the Teifi style although made from machine cut lathes. The paddle
is short at about 4 foot 3 inches and with a unique transverse claw grip
at one end, it is not for carrying the coracle in the way as on the Teifi
- where a similar but inline claw is on the paddle and hooks under a cross
lathe. The probable use would be to hook a leather strap as used on the
River Severn coracle although no photographs exist to confirm this.
It was recorded in the 1930's that the covering was hessian canvas (sacking).
An exact replica built in the 1990's was found to be very stable but the
short paddle was not very efficient, needing at least an extra foot in
length. No original Cleddau coracle has been preserved.
Conwy fishing on the River Wissey - River Cleddau Coracle
River Cleddau Coracle - Full steam ahead
Partially completed River Cleddau Coracle
River Cleddau Coracle
Conwy demonstrates the ease of carrying the Coracle and fishing tackle
River Cleddau Coracle
Conwy demonstrates the ease of carrying the Coracle and fishing tackle
Cleddau Coracle by Alan Grove 2003
Cleddau Coracle by Alan Grove 2003
Blackpool Mill on the River Cleddau
