grotto and sport fishing

Ambri's "Audan" ponds, a small paradise for young and old alike, offer the opportunity to practice trout fishing and enjoy an excellent lunch or dinner in the cozy grottino.

SOME HISTORY

The Audan area is one of the best-known recreation areas in our municipality, probably the only one frequented throughout most of the year. Until about fifty years ago, however, it had a different destination. It was in fact the last remnant of the old floodplain on which, before the embankments were built, the Ticino River flowed freely at flood time. The tree vegetation, consisting mostly of alders, in dialect "àudan" (hence the definition of the area "in i àudan"), therefore did not allow its exploitation for agricultural purposes. The only use was therefore for the spring grazing of the cows of the farmers of Quinto-country, to whose neighborhood it belonged.

In the mid-1960s, however, when the construction of the highway works began, gravel material was extracted from the area in question to be used for filling in the embankments. The operations lasted for several years, creating in particular two vast and deep pits. Given the porous nature of the soil, groundwater seeped into them, forming two ponds, surrounded by plants. Seeing the pleasant appearance taken on by the whole, gradually the idea matured that the whole thing could also be left as it was, without further transformation.

In the following years the area was transformed into a real leisure area with a pleasant grotto and with the installation of some sports and leisure activities.

SPORT FISHING AND THE GROTTO

In 1972, on the initiative of the High Leventina Fishing Society, chaired by the always dynamic and creative Peppino Guscetti, fry were introduced into the two ponds, which gave rise to an abundant fish population, thus enabling the practice of sport fishing. The subdivision still in force today was then adopted: in the smaller, shallower pond to the northwest, trout are inserted in great abundance. Even the least skilled angler, and even anyone who has never picked up a fishing rod, can thus dabble in "fishing," later paying for the spoils by the pound. In the other pond, which is larger and deeper     (11 meters), however, the sport requires more skill. It can be accessed by purchasing the appropriate day pass (costing CHF 30.00 and     a maximum of 10 fish).

The ponds also offer introductory fishing courses for young and old.

The area includes a small Grotto that was expanded a decade ago, which allows visitors to enjoy a homemade ice cream, sip a refreshing drink or have a local meal in a relaxing environment where nature is lush. The facility is run by the Merandi family, for information call 091 868 12 19.