TheThe FishingFishing

2015 Edition

Over 230 miles of salmon, sea trout, brown trout, grayling and coarse fishing in Wales and The Marches, along with some of the area’s best stillwaters

The Wye & Usk Foundation Registered Charity No. 1080319 1 Tel: 01874 712 074 www.wyeuskfoundation.org Participating Rivers www.wyeuskfoundation.org

The Wye & Usk Foundation Unit 4, Talgarth Business Park, Trefecca Road, Talgarth, Brecon, Powys LD3 0PQ Tel: 01874 712 074

2 Introduction

elcome to the 2015 Fishing start work earlier and may even have to visit WPassport, our 13th edition. Over twice if the growth is anything like last season. the years the Passport has got bigger and However, our intention is to keep the essential bigger as new fisheries have come on board wildness of our banks as much as possible. and in case someone drops one on their foot, You are our eyes and ears on the river and we we have had to reduce its size! This year, are very grateful for all the feedback received each river fishery, lake or pond will simply be during the year. Our annual litter pick in the listed without its full description. Instead, the spring is focussed on the section downstream key fishery information will be in the fishing of Hereford. This is a bit more of a challenge section of our website. This gives us the but you can help by taking away anything we opportunity to keep our fishery information might have missed and ensuring you do not up to date throughout the year and to use leave anything behind. the Passport for more articles and general We will continue to send you our e-news information about the scheme. with details of activities and any changes What we aim to provide is a comprehensive to fisheries. Our monthly fishing reports (via service that combines your feedback, up to e-newsletter and in the fishing section of the date river and weather information with a wide website) have been well received in their first and varied range of places to go fishing and year and unlike some reports, you don’t have to stay. Some fisheries are very much “tried to wait a month just to hear bad news! So, and tested” others are there for those with a for the 13th time, it’s my very great privilege keen sense of adventure and it’s important to wish you all a successful and enjoyable that we match these with the right angler! It fishing season. is a great skill arriving at the right place at the right time but you will always get good advice from the Booking Office, even if this is “don’t go until the weather changes”. We take very careful note of your comments. One of the most frequent is about the amount Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith OBE of vegetation, trees and branches that emerge Executive Director from mid-May onwards. This year we will The Wye & Usk Foundation

Contents Improving Your Fishing...... 4-8 Guiding & Instructors...... 29-33 Passport Questions and Answers...... 9 Biosecurity...... 34 Salmon Fishing...... 12-13 Minimising the Impact of Canoeing.... 35 The 365 Day Season...... 14-15 Canoeing...... 35-37 Trout & Grayling Fishing...... 16-17 Where to Stay...... 22 & 38-45 Big Browns in Remote Places...... 18-21 The Booking Office...... 46-64 Sea Trout Fishing...... 24-25 The Wild Streams...... 66-78 Coarse Fishing...... 26-27 Fly Fishing Small Streams...... 68-69

Front cover photo: Matt Dunkinson 3 A WUF habitat team working on the Dayhouse Weir fish pass on the River Lugg in October 2014.

The Wye & Usk Foundation: working to improve your fishing

The Passport is only a part of our daily removing as many barriers to migration as activity, though as fishermen ourselves, a possible. We found a staggering number very important one! Our main mission is of barriers in our walk-over surveys. To to restore the fisheries and environment date, with our various partners, we have of our two rivers and with that, create new completed 64 fish passes and easements, opportunities for anglers and ensure there 51 barrier dam removals. 839km of stream are fish to be caught. Ultimately, this boosts has been re-opened to spawning fish. This the local economy and brings in future crucial aspect is nearing completion. Salmon investment. We think it is important to take and trout have been the major beneficiaries a holistic approach. All species of fish and a of this work although eels too require free wide range of other wildlife benefit, as do all passage up and down rivers. We are glad types of angling. Our website gives full details to say that this species has been enjoying a of all the issues we face and the projects resurgence in the past few years. used to fund and create the improvements. The emphasis will always be on restoring Habitat river habitats. With our workforce of 25, this is Our next task was restoring the habitat of the how we do it: streams themselves. Heavy grazing results in Fish Access wide and shallow streams and a loss of their Our first action in 1996 was re-opening tree cover. Our restoration comprises double the tributary system of the upper Wye and bank fencing, pinning as much hazel and other wood as possible into the stream and

4 tree management so that we end up with a project to cut back on abstraction by the range of species and varied age structure. water companies that will take effect this year. Water quality concerns take different We rely on natural regeneration and the forms in different parts of the catchment. key aspect of re- establishing tree cover is At the uppermost extremities of the Wye, fencing out stock animals. These renewed commercial forestry plantations, with their stream corridors reduce the amount of silt coniferous trees and extensive drainage in the tributaries and the amount washing system cause severe acid events. These downstream into the main stem. A cleaner result in the loss of all fish and most river is better for all species. invertebrate life in over 62km of main stream Water and tributaries. All anglers know that good water quality Our liming programme has allowed trout and quantity is vital. Demands for water and salmon to recolonise and breed in these for domestic supply and agriculture have areas. Grayling have increased their range reduced flows at critical times on both too. We are recreating some of the original rivers. WUF has been part of a successful (continued on p8)

Habitat staff installing a revetment on the Afon Llynfi, an upper Wye tributary. These willow revetments shore up the banks, reducing erosion and sedimentation in the rivers.

5 Blocking forestry drains and sand liming (pictured below) within WUF’s recent ISAC project has helped reduce acidity problems in the river Irfon, an upper Wye tributary.

6 Discussing soil damage with Herefordshire potato growers. WUF and partners are working with farmers to reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture.

A WUF team electrofishing on the river Arrow. Monitoring is an important part of our work.

7 wetlands in the forests to increase base flows We also try to clear all the bankside litter. This and reduce flooding. Both these actions year we are completing the final stretch of the affect the whole river. Wye (Luggsmouth to the estuary) and then we hope to keep it litter free, again with your Other water quality issues stem from farming. help. Maybe we can then look at the Usk. Pesticides (especially sheep dips), nutrients and phosphates, along with heavy sediment loads enter our rivers and streams as a result Get Involved! of farming. We are working with farmers to This work only happens because we are correct this but perhaps there are not the able to use core funding from anglers and incentives yet for this to happen as it should. others interested in the rivers’ wellbeing to bid for and support projects that carry out the Monitoring various works previously described. All of this work gets monitored. Electrofishing Whatever you fish for - barbel, chub, pike, shows whether we have improved habitats dace, grayling, trout or salmon - please enough to increase fish densities. We also support the efforts to restore and protect the use diatom analysis (the slime you find on rivers by donating to the Foundation. A Gift stones are diatoms and the various species Aid Form can be found on the reverse of the indicate presence of a whole range of accompanying letter with the Passport, or pollutants) to see if our farm pollution work is you can donate online via the “Get Involved” improving the situation. section of our website: www.wyeuskfoundation.org/joinus Other Activities You can help in other ways too, being Every year we spray Giant Hogweed and involved with our volunteer schemes, Japanese Knotweed. We are winning this war for example. Details of our volunteer and hope to expand our activities to include opportunities can also be seen on our Himalayan Balsam. If you find Hogweed website. (which is poisonous) or Knotweed please let us know on [email protected]

The lower Wye “showing its bones”. WUF are working to improve water quantity as well as water quality.

8 Fishing Passport Q & A

We receive hundreds of questions about the Passport scheme. Here are the answers to some of the more common ones.

Where does the money from my day ticket go? The majority goes to the fishery owner with WUF retaining a commission fee. This is used to: design, write, print and post the Passport, run the Booking Office, visit fisheries and owners, sort out bank clearance, update the website details and so on. Owners use their portion to pay for bank clearance and in many cases, support our river improvement projects. The Passport is non-profit making and we budget the scheme to be neutral in order to keep down costs.

Does the Foundation own or lease water? No, we don’t own or lease any water.

Why aren’t day tickets cheaper and why aren’t more anglers allowed? We fix prices so that on an average or good day for fishing, they are good value (on a bad day, even a £5 ticket isn’t good value!). We restrict the number of anglers so that as far as possible, the quality of the fishing is preserved and so that you can enjoy a high degree of exclusivity. There are plenty of fisheries that sell cheaper day tickets and do not restrict numbers but where this happens, the quality of the fishing is usually diminished.

Why don’t you clear all the riverbanks and build steps/walkways? Both the Wye and Usk are Special Areas of Conservation and we aim to keep the banks as natural as possible. Our policy is to clear in such a way as to allow access but never permanently alter the environment. True, there are places where you will find concrete walkways, launch places etc. but often these were constructed before the laws were in place or, sometimes, put in without the necessary legal consents.

What is WUF’s approach to restoring Wye and Usk fisheries? We believe that correcting all the issues that adversely affect the river is the right approach. For salmon and other migratory species, we have bought off the estuary nets and putchers, fenced out 302km of tributary, built fish passes or removed barriers at over 130 sites and discovered an innovative approach to treating the Wye’s 62km of acidified and dead headwaters. Other programmes include reinstating gravel in the Elan. Meanwhile for the benefit of all species, our 5 farm advisors are making progress with farm diffuse pollution and we have completed a six year project to reduce abstraction. Our work in the plantation forests will restore wetlands and also improve flows. We do not believe that hatcheries solve the problems that threaten our rivers and fish species. The latest scientific evidence shows that they may in fact do precisely the opposite. 9 Further Fishing Information….. Throughout the year we supplement the information given in the Passport in a number of ways, keeping you updated on such issues as fishing conditions, catches and even new beats joining the Passport scheme. E-newsletters, monthly fishing reports (that you don’t have to wait weeks to read!), fishing blogs and anglers’ catch returns are all crucial ways in which you can keep up to date on what’s happening on the rivers. To sign up for e-newsletters, please visit our website - www.wyeuskfoundation.org/news/ or call us on 01874 712 074

Woody’sWoody’s AnglingAngling CentreCentre Coarse Fishing Specialists

EVERYTHING you need to fish the mighty river Wye! Run by anglers, for anglers LEADING BRAND STOCKISTS 67 Whitecross Road, Hereford HR4 0DQ Tel: 01432 344 644

10 Providing legal services for the environment, conservation, fisheries and freedom of information, and backed by 25 years of experience in environmental campaigns, Guy Linley-Adams delivers the highest ation, levels of service and individual v attention to your particular matter, providing practical legal opinion, advice and representation across England, Wales and Scotland. vironment, conser Guy Linley-Adams Solicitor 12 Castle Street mation or

Hereford or the en y-Adams Solicitor HR1 2NL y-Adams Solicitor

T: 01432 379093 vices f M: 07837 881219 E: [email protected] www.linley-adams.co.uk

Guy Linley-Adams Solicitor is authorised and regulated in ies and freedom of inf England and Wales by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority viding legal ser (no. 524741) and by the Law Society of Scotland (no. 30663). Pro fisher Guy Linle Guy Linle

11 e often hear from people Wthat they have fished for Salmon trout, grayling or coarse fish but have never tried for salmon. Every year one or two are caught by accident but this article is to help anyone who would like to try for this elusive fish and catch Fishing one deliberately! Let’s start with the kit. There are very few places where a set of chest waders and waterproofs will not make fishing more comfortable. You’ve probably got them already? Good. Rods: casting a salmon fly, especially a tube, needs a double handed rod. You don’t false cast when salmon fishing and the larger rod is very much more relaxing, accurate and can cope with wind and the change of direction necessary to pull a fly from downstream and then cast across. Small rivers can be covered with 12 – 13’ rods but larger rivers plus heavier flies or tubes need 14’ -15’ rods, especially in the spring. Later in the season a strong single hander can be used on smaller rivers in low water. Casting itself involves a variety of styles and variants on the simple overhead and Spey. If you want to learn quickly, then a lesson from a qualified instructor and practice is highly recommended! The instructors are listed on pages 29 to 33. So you’ve got your rod, reel, cast, flies, polaroids, wading staff, waders (of course) and waterproofs and are ready to start. The next questions are where and when: Wye and Usk have the earliest runs of salmon and both start on the 3rd March. Finding an early fish very much depends on the weather of the preceding months. Warm and wet = further upstream; cold and dry = downstream. Recently, the first fish of the season on the Usk has been taken somewhere between Usk and Abergavenny and on the Wye, between Wyesham (just downstream

12 of Monmouth) and Hereford. Occasionally The Wye remains one of the better UK spring that early fish can be found as far upstream rivers with a chance of a fish anytime from as Builth Wells. March onwards. Every year fish over 30lbs are hooked and landed. The Towy and Teifi, Spring salmon are good takers but are whose seasons start on 1st April, have small invariably well spread out so it can be hard spring runs that build in the late summer graft finding your fish. If you are lucky enough and autumn. The Usk starts on 3rd March to see one, then start above it and fish down and here there is also a good chance of an over it several times before continuing early fish although it is fly only until 1st June. downstream of your pool. Early season This river is best during a wet summer and holding pools tend to be slower and deeper. autumn too. As the water warms up and drops, then the more classic lies start to hold fish. However, At any time of year it is important to know an intervening flood can send you back to about water heights. WUF gauges can be the high water pools. seen on the website (if you can’t see them then the river is very high!). Persistent high “Every year fish of over 30lb water and prolonged low hot spells are are hooked and landed on the indications to get on with something else. By late spring, it is reasonable to find salmon in Wye” most lower and middle reaches. From here Spinning is allowed on the Wye until 1st more will head upstream on the next high September. Early spring the lower and middle water. It’s not simply a matter of the actual Wye is difficult to fly fish (unless you have gauge reading: fish need a spate to travel. a ghillie and boat) so spinning is often the A foot rise won’t get them to the top of the method of choice. Traditional wooden Devon Wye, even though that might be the optimum Minnow and Wye leads have given way to fishing height. After a while you will become the popular Flying C as it is easier to cast and more in touch with the ‘ebb and flow’ over works well in quieter flows. So if you want to the season, building up your own knowledge spin, it’s back to the tackle shop for a spinning of river conditions. rod, reel, line plus Flying Cs or Devons (single Fly fishing is perhaps the most popular way hooked variety preferred). The fixed spool of catching a salmon. You will need to learn reel offers the chance of “skill on day one” as knots and how easily even strong Nylon or casting with it can be picked up quickly. The Fluorocarbon can break after a period of multiplier takes a bit longer to learn and quite thrashing the water. Check for wind knots a lot longer if you don’t stop the spool when regularly and discard any leader that is not the bait hits the water! Untangling the ‘birds perfect. A small length of sinking leader will nest’ can take hours so get a friend to show keep the fly from skating, which you can you how to use one or try on the lawn, but remove if a full floater is needed. start gently. If you can’t get advice on the bank the Booking Office is open throughout the week for advice and availability. Photo: Rob Olsen

13 The 365-Day Season

In the 2014 Passport, coarse anglers were urged to give salmon fishing a try. This year, all-round angler Adam Fisher turns the tables and explains why game anglers should consider trying something new.

o many of us fishing is just fishing, in late summer and autumn, is a true joy. It Tregardless of species. From trout to is a skilful, satisfying way to fish and a great tench, grayling to gudgeon, it’s simply about way to keep active in the depths of winter, being waterside, experiencing an intimacy when even deep nymphing for grayling has with nature that only fishing really provides. become too challenging. For me, a cold, The mantra of many greats in angling is frosty February morning in a misty river valley “fishing is an excuse for just being there”. If in the heart of Wales is difficult to beat. I’ve this is the case, then why are so few of us all often seen or heard salmon moving at this year round anglers? time of year on the main river when targeting pike. Kelts or springers? Who knows? Either I love trout fishing small streams in spring way, they put an extra sense of expectancy in time – wading through the glistening the first cast with the double-hander on 3rd freshwater of upland streams such as the March. Honddu and Escley. I’ve lost count of the times I‘ve said to myself that everyone “A cold, frosty February should be exposed to these incredible environments, regardless of possessing rod morning in a misty river valley and line. I dream of a summer evening trout is difficult to beat” rise on the Usk, when every fish in the river Fish of all species are often found in the same seems to want to show itself – I’m always place. Some of the most popular salmon amazed how many there actually are! stretches are also host to the best coarse However, as lovely as spring and summer fishing swims. Wyastone Leys (available are, a winter river flowing through a harsh through the Passport) has Boys Rocks Pool, and bleak landscape can be equally inspiring the first named pool upstream of the famous if you know what to look for. I dream as Wyesham Fishery. Thousands of salmon much about spring and summer as I do of have been caught here over the years but wandering frosty banks of the Wye in the the pool also happens to be one of the best winter in pursuit of giant pike, or sheltering barbel and pike swims on the lower river. So, under an umbrella on a drizzly autumn day if you’ve been waiting weeks or even months waiting for a barbel to feed on the rising river. for your day to salmon fish here only to be Coarse fishing in winter has other benefits faced by 2 feet of dirty flood water, perhaps for the game angler. Trotting a maggot for you may not have to return home wondering grayling, a popular target species on the fly what you did to upset the fishing gods? You could also avoid this scenario by checking

14 The 365-Day Season Photo: Nigel Botherway

conditions and leaving your booking to the What about rod and reel? Remember that B last minute. But the chances are the rod will James MkIV Avon tucked away in the loft, have been booked up well in advance by a perhaps the Mitchell 300 in the bottom of coarse angler prepared to adapt to whatever the old wicker creel in the garage? These conditions he faces on the day. Here’s the are perfect tools for barbel and chub fishing. solution - make your salmon booking well in Match a Speedia or Allcocks Aerial centrepin advance but be prepared to change tack and to a 13ft float rod and you have a dream set fish for something else. up ready to attack the abundant dace and chub of the Wye. Of course if the river is We can dispel the myth that coarse angling is flooded then float fishing is generally futile a discipline largely spent slumped in a chair, but what I’m trying to encourage is that you half asleep, beer can in hand. An increasing can still enjoy the day fishing for something number of coarse anglers are taking to else. wading and it always delights me when they express something that perhaps the As a final nudge in the right direction, fishing game angler takes for granted: that there’s for a mixture of species will keep you a something really quite special about being in fisherman for longer in the year too. When the water with your quarry. Of course wading the salmon and trout season ends you don’t in high flows or in bitter winter conditions have to hang up your gear for the next few can be dangerous, but if conditions are months, letting your natural instincts lie not a risk, you don’t need chairs and giant dormant, and you missing those first few camouflaged bags, mountains of smelly bait rising brownies in March. Read the trout and rod rests. fishing reports early season and you’ll soon realise you’re not alone in losing your edge As a salmon or trout angler you’ll already over the winter. If you’ve been striking at have waders and polaroids (one of the most chub knocks or at a dipping float, however, crucial items in the armoury of any angler). you may be better prepared. You should Sweetcorn or luncheon meat are baits certainly be more in tune with the water and that will get you a bite from most species the weather. Ultimately then, being out on the and along with a few bits of tackle in your bank throughout the year is a great way of waistcoat (replacing fly boxes and leaders extending your season and this will make you with hooks and some shot) all you’ve actually a better angler. done is change your target species, without losing the freedom to move about in the river Adam Fisher - WUF Fishery Consultant and channel or up and down the banks. Director of Angling Dreams

15 Trout and Grayling

he rivers and stillwaters of Wales and trout fishing outside the Wye and Usk TThe Marches offer some first class catchments, including the Towy and Cothi, wild brown trout and grayling fishing. The Teifi, Taff, Dee, Severn and the Aeron and Usk is rated as one of the best freestone trout Arth in West Wales. It offers a huge variety rivers in the country. Fish are distributed of water, ranging from large main stem to throughout its system with many of the remote mountain streams only a few feet tributaries also offering superb opportunities. across. Although May and June are generally regarded the best months, the trout are still “Better water quality has catchable during the summer if anglers adapt meant increased fly life” their tactics - it is often not until sunset that fish start to become active at this time of year. In addition to the river fishing are some of the area’s best stillwaters, including six of The number and size of wild brown trout in Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water’s reservoirs and the Wye is becoming comparable to those for the more adventurous, some smaller, in the Usk - the article on the following wild upland ‘llyns’. These fisheries offer not pages testifies to that. Better water quality only superb game fishing in their own right, has meant increased fly life - olives, sedges, but also provide an alternative should the caddis and, in some reaches of the main rivers be unfishable due to flood or drought. river and tributaries, traditional mayfly The stillwaters in the Passport are set in hatches. This, allied with improved access remote and dramatic upland scenery. Both to spawning streams and juvenile habitat, wild brown and stocked rainbow trout can has enabled the brown trout populations be caught on the fly, with spinner and bait to prosper. Although they can be caught fishing also permitted on some of the Dŵr throughout the main stem, the best of the Cymru reservoirs. Wye trout fishing is in the rockier, faster flowing upper reaches on the Welsh side Grayling are the premier game fish of autumn of the border. Some excellent fishing is also and winter, enabling fishermen to enjoy available on tributaries such as the Lugg, sport throughout the year. With their radiant Arrow, Irfon, Ithon and Monnow. dorsal fin, they are a truly spectacular fish that provide a challenge to hook and give The Passport also includes some excellent a good fight. Sport can be good at any time 16 in the season, but late August, September, tributaries such as the Irfon, Ithon and the October and November are probably the Monnow system provide excellent grayling best months for the specimens. Just being fishing, with the Lugg and Arrow in particular on the river at this magical time of year is producing some very large fish. In addition, enough for some though. Czech nymphing, two other famous Welsh grayling rivers are New Zealand style nymphing or traditional now available via the Passport - the Dee and ‘down and across’ techniques are all popular the Taff. The upper Teifi also holds grayling. fly fishing methods. Except for the harshest An increasing number of fisheries also allow of conditions, grayling are also very willing to trotting maggots for grayling in the autumn come up to a dry fly or emerging pattern. and winter, which is often the only way to There are lots of grayling in the Wye, and catch if water levels are high or temperatures plenty of really big ones! The main stem low. upstream of Hay and some of the larger Photo: Rod Calbrade

17 Big Browns in Remote Places

The water quality of the upper reaches of the Wye has improved significantly in recent years, helped by the Foundation’s liming programme in the headwaters. The area is now gaining a reputation for large trout and grayling. Sean Afnan Morrissey describes a day on the Lower Clochfaen beat last April.

f one fish sounds like a measly return for fish spotted, first fish covered, first fish landed. Ithree hundred and fifty miles of driving Bish bash bosh. In my excitement, however, and two days of solid fishing, that’s certainly I lifted on the wrong word, ‘God’ instead of not how I will remember my first serious ‘Queen’, and yanked the fly clean out of its outing of 2014. Given the cold air, mortally mouth. Defeat snatched quite literally from low water and scarcity of rising fish on the the jaws of victory. Cursing my prematurity, rivers Usk and Wye, the line between success I waited to see if the trout would rise again. and failure was always going to be a thin one. Not only did it fail to do so, the other, bigger In such circumstances that single, glorious trout stopped rising too. I carried on into the trout was a handsome prize, and one that evening but, cack-handed strike aside, a cod more than vindicated the distances travelled supper in Builth Wells was the closest I came and the effort exerted. to a fish all day. High up in the valley, close to the source of Fifty miles north, this time on the river the river Usk, Pantyscallog is one of the most Wye, the second day began in even less idyllic stretches of water I have ever fished. auspicious conditions than the first. The Yet while it was almost May, the river had upper valley was shrouded in a cold mist not fully wakened from its winter slumber. and as I pulled up next to the water near the The sun shone brightly through still-bare small village of Llangurig, the thermostat on branches, penetrating the crystal clear water the car read 8°c. The water was lower and in even the deepest pools. Keeping low to clearer than the Usk was the previous day. hide my shadow, I dropped a pair of small, Pulling on an extra fleece, I began once more weighted nymphs into every likely looking in the rhythmic cadence of short-line nymph riffle and run and waited for a twitch on the fishing. line that never came. Cast, retrieve, lift, step, repeat. Fishing like A sparse hatch of olives around 2pm finally this can be pleasant, even meditative. But brought a couple of trout to the surface. They without that palpable sense of anticipation to were stationed ten feet or so apart in the concentrate the mind – a splash upstream, bubble lane between a riffle and a long, slow an occasional knock on the end of the line glide. The first fish took a small paradun in a – it can come to feel quite futile. Expectation splashy swirl. It should have been the perfect gives way to hope. Hope vanishes into adornment of an otherwise difficult day. First despair and the mind wanders. Maybe it’s 18 your empty stomach or the prospect of hot and cursed for the umpteenth time forgetting coffee and a bath. Maybe it’s the long drive to buy wader studs. I’m a young, agile chap home that you could make in daylight if and a confident wader at the best of times. you disappear early. Or maybe it’s the pre- But there is nothing quite as disempowering occupations of life, the very things that you as the sensation of wet felt slipping over a are probably fishing to escape from, which polished slab. Think Bambi on the ice but draw your soul away from the water. with none of the adorability. “Its big snout was rising Tucked away below the trees, the river just felt ‘fishier’ in that perceptible if ineffable way. clean out of the water, like The flies were hatching in greater number a submarine performing an than before; a mix of large dark and blue winged olives. It had warmed up too and a emergency blow” light drizzle was now falling. Had the sun not begun to burn through the Moving cautiously upstream, I soon came mist and the odd blue winged olive shed its across a rising fish tucked away between two shuck on the water’s surface, I could have overhanging branches at the top of a narrow, easily thrown in the towel by lunchtime. glassy glide. I crept within casting distance But just as I was about to step out onto the of the fish, crawling the last few yards on my bank below Llangurig bridge, a big bow hands and knees. But before I could even wave restored my hope. I had spooked a consider the possibility of making a cast, the fish and, judging by the size of the ripple fish stopped rising. I crouched stock-still and reverberating around the pool, a big one at waited for ten minutes or so before moving that. My enthusiasm was rekindled. But I had on. It had vanished without a trace. just run out of water. The bridge marked the uppermost limit of the Lower Clochfaen beat. Passing under a suspension bridge, I then Providentially, however, I still had access to arrived at an area where the river widened another mile or so of water downstream. out to form a more discernibly ‘classic’ trout pool. In the faster water just below the riffle at The lower beat was much more akin to the head of the pool, a fish – only the fourth fishing in a gorge with steep, tree-lined I had seen in two days – was steadily taking banks and deep pools flowing over bedrock. olives. Feeding with a confidence I am more I chose my smallest rod, a 6’6, 3wt noodle, 19 accustomed to seeing in YouTube videos still hooked and darted towards me before from other countries than a small, upland tearing off downstream. Again everything river in mid-Wales, its big snout was rising went slack. This time it had definitely come clean out of the water, like a submarine off. I stripped in the line a second time, performing an emergency blow. It was a expecting to find my tippet snapped or frighteningly large fish. my hook straightened. Then with a flash of its flank and an eruption of water, the rod My first few casts with an olive paradun were was alive again. Miraculously we were still stoically ignored. Changing to an f-fly with a attached. grey CDC wing elicited an identical response. But the trout continued rising undisturbed. If The word ‘epic’ is thoroughly overused in anything, the fish began feeding even more today’s popular vernacular. But I can think of aggressively than before. After those first few no more befitting term to describe the fifteen- refusals, I was wholly unprepared as my third minute battle that ensued. Albeit the drama choice fly, an olive comparadun, disappeared has as much to do with my inappropriate in a great swirl of water as it floated over the footwear and lightweight tackle as it did the fish. The reality of what had happened took fish’s heroic attempts to evade capture. The what felt like an eternity to register. phrase ‘bringing a knife to a gunfight’ felt similarly apt. ‘That was your fly wasn’t it? Yes! The fish has taken your fly. Aren’t you going to do Unable to control its powerful surges, the something? You should definitely strike now. trout led me up and down that rocky pool Oh no, not too hard remember the 3lb tippet!’ more times than I care to remember. At one point it shot over to the far bank and I lifted and felt that familiar yet startling weight wrapped itself around a fallen branch. With as the trout surged upstream and shook its all the grace of an elephant on roller-skates head in the current. Suddenly the line went I somehow managed to cross the deep slack. I was sure it had broken me off. But slippery channel in the centre of the pool and no, retrieving the line to check my leader, I felt the weight of the fish once more. It was

20 feed my rod under beneath the stick, freeing requires us, when approached by a quizzical the line. Twice I managed to bring it within colleague or an under-loved spouse, to recite inches of the net, only for it to bolt back some tepid narrative to address the question upstream in a reel-screaming surge. Finally, we secretly dread. Why do you fish? applying as much pressure as I dared, I It’s easy to drone on that it’s not all about managed to bully my quarry into the shallows the fish, maaaan. It’s about everything else and slide the net under its belly. besides the fish - the solitude, the adventure, It’s easy to exaggerate in such moments. the being at one with nature, the people you With all that adrenaline pumping through meet. But we all know that’s just not true. If your veins, it is nigh impossible to accurately it were we’d be into hiking or golf instead. estimate the size of a fish, in or out of The truth is both far simpler and infinitely the water. While certainty may not be an more complex. It is all about the fish. But essential ingredient for making authentic fly-fishing just so happens to be science, memories, it certainly does no harm. Which technology and history, society, philosophy is why I own a landing net with a set of and religion rolled into one. It is precisely scales in the handle and always carry a tape for this reason that one beautiful trout can measure. At 22 inches and 3lb 4oz in weight, completely transform a non-event-of-a-trip this was, comfortably, my biggest wild trout into a remarkable memory, one that lives from the British Isles. Had I not been to on long after the rods have been returned Iceland the previous summer, it would have to the shed and the smell of waders, coffee been my biggest ever. After a few moments and chips has evaporated from the car. recuperating in the shallows he kicked his The margins between success and failure, spade-like tail and vanished. therefore, can be and often are extraordinarily narrow. Sometimes they are no wider than Most fly anglers are reasonably philosophical the window of opportunity to set a hook in creatures. As such, many of us suffer from a the mouth of a trout or the diameter of a 3lb strange kind of reflexive identity crisis. This tippet.

Sean’s impressive 3lb 4oz wild brown

21 The Clochfaen Self-catering and B&B accommodation on a historic estate in Mid Wales

The Clochfaen offers THE FASTEST, comfort, peace and quiet in EASIEST MOBILE spectacular surroundings within their welcoming B&B or their self SITE... EVER! catering cottages, in this recently CHECK STOCK AVAILABILITY, THE LATEST SALES PRICES AND ORDER FOR NEXT DAY restored historic house and estate. DELIVERY WHEREVER YOU ARE! SCAN HERE TO VIEW A newly designated OUR WEBSITE Conservation Fishery WWW.FISHTEC.CO.UK GET YOUR FREE QR CODE FOLLOW US ON: READER FROM YOUR APP STORE Llangurig, Near Llanidloes Powys SY18 6RP Tel: 01686 440687 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.theclochfaen.com FOR YOUR FREE COPY OF THE NEW FISHTEC FLY, COARSE, SEA OR CARP FISHING CATALOGUES CALL OUR MAIL ORDER HOTLINE OR VISIT * 22 0871 911 7001 WWW.FISHTEC.CO.UK *Calls cost 10p per minute. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary. FISHTEC Unit 6 Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate, Brecon, Powys. LD3 8LA

Fishtec Ad 2015_Wye & Usk Passport_A5.indd 1 07/01/2015 13:33 THE FASTEST, EASIEST MOBILE SITE... EVER! CHECK STOCK AVAILABILITY, THE LATEST SALES PRICES AND ORDER FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY WHEREVER YOU ARE! SCAN HERE TO VIEW OUR WEBSITE WWW.FISHTEC.CO.UK GET YOUR FREE QR CODE FOLLOW US ON: READER FROM YOUR APP STORE

FOR YOUR FREE COPY OF THE NEW FISHTEC FLY, COARSE, SEA OR CARP FISHING CATALOGUES CALL OUR MAIL ORDER HOTLINE OR VISIT * 0871 911 7001 WWW.FISHTEC.CO.UK23 *Calls cost 10p per minute. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary. FISHTEC Unit 6 Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate, Brecon, Powys. LD3 8LA

Fishtec Ad 2015_Wye & Usk Passport_A5.indd 1 07/01/2015 13:33 Sea trout Fishing

by Steffan Jones

ea trout, or sewin as they’re known in SWales, hold great appeal but they also hold great intrigue. They are a very mystical fish often referred to as silver ghosts, being there one day or night and gone the next due to their migratory nature. They can captivate an angler like no other but conversely drive an angler to despair like no other too… What makes sea trout so special and why should you entertain a visit to one of the plethora of rivers and beats now showcased through The Fishing Passport? I believe that there are two main reasons we go fishing. First of all it’s the surroundings we find ourselves in when pursuing our chosen species and nowhere is this highlighted greater than the sea trout rivers of West Wales. Secondly and perhaps foremost, we go fishing for “the take” and trust me, from this perspective nowhere will you experience this better than with a sea trout. A sea trout take is special and any seasoned sea trout angler will gladly divulge that this is one of the main attractions that turns the species from a target into an obsession.

24 Using his intimate knowledge of Welsh rivers, Steffan runs his own guiding service www.anglingworldwide.com based in Llandysul on the river Teifi For up-to-date reports on sea trout catches, please see the Sea Trout blog on the Foundation’s website - www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing Perhaps one of the main traits of sea trout that makes them special and unique is their pursuit with a fly under the cover of darkness. This may sound bizarre at best and insanity at worst but let me assure you this is where sea trout come alive in more ways than one. Not only is ‘the take’ exacerbated at night because your sense of touch is heightened but the sea trout are more active during low light conditions being both easier to approach and catch. They can, of course, be tempted in the daylight and fishing a falling river after a spate can yield prolific sport with a fly, spinner or bait. However, the true essence of their pursuit is with a fly at night and the best conditions for attempting this is the opposite of what would be regarded as good daytime conditions: a low, clear river. With a myriad of sea trout fishing options now available to you and all presenting fantastic value for money it really is something you should try at least once, perhaps twice if you like it. Soon enough you will find the sea trout drawing you, holding appeal and captivating you like no other. Start your journey when they are at their freshest and most plentiful, where your chances of intercepting a taking fish is increased. This is normally anytime from the end of June through to the end of August, but local advice should be sought. Whenever you decide to make the journey I’m sure you will not regret it, whether you manage to stay attached to a sea trout or not. 25 Coarse Fishing

The Wye is widely acknowledged as the UK’s premier coarse fishing river.

he Wye is blessed with a variety of summer and autumn, good numbers can be Tspecies - barbel and pike being the caught on most methods. focus of attention for most anglers, with large The Wye is widely regarded as a top shoals of chub and dace encouraging more UK destination for barbel anglers. The and more anglers to bring out the float rod. river provides an ideal habitat for these The amount of water available to coarse fast, powerful fish. 5-8lb specimens are anglers continues to increase, with land and commonplace, frequently interspersed with fishery owners becoming increasingly aware doubles. Wye barbel are noted for their lean, of the need for wild stretches of this river to be muscular physique and for putting up a hard sustainably managed. fight. A good quality rod and line is therefore To maintain the quality of Wye fishing, our necessary to have the best chance of getting policy is to limit both the number of rods and them to the net. the amount of fishing on each beat. This means many fisheries retain their natural “Wye barbel are noted for state so be prepared to occasionally push putting up a hard fight ” back a few nettles or some long grass to make a cast. Although the summer months are the most popular times to fish for barbel, a warm flood Chub are prevalent throughout the Wye, in the middle of winter can be enough to except for the very smallest streams. 3 to 4lbs trigger them to feed. Many coarse species, is the average but with stealth and patience, but especially barbel and chub are still specimen chub of 5lbs+ are there to be caught on the Wye during a flood, and as caught. In winter, roving with bread flake and such, we seldom offer wash-offs for these mash will get consistent results, while in the species. A big flood can often be the most 26 Photo: Adam Fisher

exciting time to fish, so think twice before you fish (2lbs plus) are there and the dedicated ignore your early morning alarm call! angler, with favourable conditions, has every chance of catching one. The current record Wye pike, a fish of 37lbs, came from the river near Hay and the best All of the Passport’s coarse fishing is let via pike fishing is to be found from Glasbury the Booking Office, including that on the downstream. Some of the beats further smaller rivers and stillwaters. As well as upstream, however, especially around Builth byelaws and individual fishery rules, there are Wells, also hold the occasional specimen some standard Foundation coarse fishing and every year pike of 20lbs+ are landed. rules and regulations that are applicable to all Lack of angling pressure enables these fish beats participating in the Passport scheme. to thrive, so with many of the Passport waters These include: being lightly fished, pike fishing prospects are excellent. • No keepnets for any species. Numbers of dace have increased in recent • Barbless hooks at all times. years and can be found as far upstream as • No camping or night fishing. Builth. They provide fantastic sport when • Only 1 rod per angler. long trotting maggots and fish approaching • No worm, prawn or shrimp baits. 1lb are often reported (maggots are not permitted on the Wye between 16th June • Pike lures must be over 6” (15cm). and 14th September). Reports of good roach • No maggots or non-aquatic pupae come in from time to time, usually caught by on rivers between 16 June and 14 chub and dace anglers, but these days they September (byelaw). are not really targeted on the Wye. Specimen

27 28

Guru_Gripper_Feeder_A5_PRINT.indd 1 12/02/2015 09:39 Guiding & Instruction

or newcomers, river fishing and wilderness Fstillwaters can be a fairly daunting prospect. Even experienced anglers can struggle with the different techniques required to successfully find and catch fish on all types of river. With fly fishing, casting correctly is only the start. You need to know what methods to use in a variety of water conditions, which flies work and, perhaps most important of all, where the fish are. River trout do not move around a great deal - you have to go to them! For both game and coarse anglers, an experienced instructor/guide can be the difference between spending many fruitless hours and getting straight to the action. On top of this, the knowledge and skills they impart will be with you wherever you fish thereafter and will be transferable to other rivers and stillwaters. You can hire them on an hourly or daily basis, on your own, for a group or for a corporate event. They have an intimate knowledge of the water and will always know who is catching what and where. They will also provide the correct tackle if required. Most of the recommended instructors advertise in the following pages. For a full list with links to their websites, please see: www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/services 29

Guru_Gripper_Feeder_A5_PRINT.indd 1 12/02/2015 09:39 Jonathan Morris AAPGAI Advanced

Double handed casting tuition on the upper Wye. Based in Builth Wells, tuition takes place on the banks of the picturesque River Wye. One to one tuition and small groups by arrangement. Tel: 07909 968348 Email: [email protected]

30 Professional Game IlltydIlltyd GriffithsGriffiths Angling Instructor AAPGAI Master 50 years experience on Welsh rivers and lakes for salmon, sewin, brown trout and grayling

I specialise in one to one or small group fly casting tuition for all competencies with both single and double hand rods from large rivers to small streams. I will always strive to enable all anglers to improve not only their technical skills but to become better anglers.

Tel: 01654 781 365 Mobile: 07974 942 853 email: [email protected] Web: www.sewincaster.co.uk

Wye Valley Fly Fishing

OliverAngling Trust licensed Burch & insured game fishing coach

Angling adventures on the wild, beautiful rivers and lakes of Wales and the border country: Usk; Wye; Irfon; Monnow; Lugg; Arrow & small streams. Salmon, trout, grayling and sea trout. Individual casting lessons or guided days; transport, accommodation & tackle; coaching in rivercraft; tackle selection; specialist fly-fishing techniques including dry fly, north country style spiders, light & heavy nymphs; night fishing for sea trout in SW Wales; centre pin trotting for winter grayling

www.wyevalleyflyfishing.com

[email protected] Tel: 07825 410800

31 Chris Price Professional Fly Fishing Instructor & Guide (FFF MCI & THCI, APGAI SH & DH)

Let me offer you a guided picturesque tour of the Usk and Wye for Salmon, Trout and Grayling.

From a basic introduction and tackle choice, casting lessons can be tailored to your needs from adapting to weather conditions to double hauling to more advanced techniques such as Spey and presentation casts.

All tackle and equipment can be provided

Tel: 01495 231899 Mobile: 07734 469158 Email: [email protected] For further information visit www.castingwithstyle.co.uk

Sponsored by: Andrew Cartwright

Guiding On The Picturesque Rivers of Wales Guiding on the rivers, streams and stillwaters of Wales, or specialist instruction in all fly fishing techniques including dry fly, spider, nymph, wet fly, Czech nymphing and French nymphing. Step Back In Time.... With an authentic period day out. Fishing with cane rods and silk lines, for that step back in time experience. Casting Instruction: Wye & Usk Foundation Licenced and qualified fly casting instructor, able to teach all ages and abilities. Recommended www.acgameangling.com Guide Tel: 01686 688196 Mobile: 07929 469160

32 Adam Fisher Wish YOU Director of Angling Dreams Having helped the Wye & Usk Foundation market fisheries for a were fishing? number of years I have an in-depth knowledge of Passport beats. I offer a guiding service that can save you valuable time getting to grips with new waters, or increasing your success on those you already know. I can also offer advice on accommodation and all other aspects of your fishing trip. Contact me and see what I can do for you… 07976 908985 www.anglingdreams.co.uk

33 Biosecurity notice for all anglers

New Threats to Our Rivers All river users benefit from a healthy aquatic environment. In addition to the work to improve the ecology of the Wye and Usk, the Foundation must make anglers and other river users aware of the dangers that they might inadvertently pose to indigenous flora and fauna, and what they should do about it. Clothing and equipment (especially nets and waders) that have not been thoroughly dried or disinfected can carry parasites and other diseases and infect water bodies. These can have devastating effects as species that inhabit the newly infected water body have little or no immunity. Crayfish plague is just such a disease. It is carried by the American signal crayfish, which is widely prevalent and immune to the parasite whereas our native White clawed crayfish is not. Another potentially damaging plague is Gyrodactylus salaris (above right), this affects salmon and could be brought in from the continent. It has devastated rivers in Norway. A more recent threat has come from the killer shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus (pictured above), a destructive species that has arrived in UK waters from Eastern Europe. If introduced into the Wye or Usk they too could have a devastating effect on native species of invertebrates, fish and other wildlife. For more information on killer shrimp please see: http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/ansrp/dikerogammarus_villosus.pdf The risk of crayfish plague, GS and killer shrimp require you to take precautions. What you must do: Certain items of your clothing and equipment (especially nets, felt soles and waders) can be very effective means by which you could infect water. In addition to abiding by the rule of no keepnets, if your equipment or clothing has been used abroad or on any different UK river in the 7 days prior to you visiting the Wye or Usk (or any tributary), you must ensure that it has been properly sterilized through one of the following methods before you arrive: Method A: Drying to a minimum of 20 deg C for at least 2 days. Method B: Heating to above 60 deg C for at least one hour. Method C: Deep freezing for at least one day.

34 Minimising the Impact of Canoeing on Your Fishing

n recent years there has been an 5. Avoid confrontation and conflict. There Iincrease in the number of canoe trips will be the occasional canoeist that does undertaken on the navigable section of the not follow the correct etiquette (usually Wye. This has impacted not only angling inexperienced paddlers or those that have but also on other recreational activities on not been adequately briefed by the company the river and, perhaps most important of all, they hired the canoe from). However much wildlife that includes highly protected SAC this tests your patience, it is worth bearing species. There has been a welcome initiative in mind that canoeists will respond much recently by local authorities and the EA to more positively to polite advice rather than establish a registration scheme whereby aggression. canoe hire companies and their customers follow more closely codes of conduct, health 6. If the canoes in question are from an and safety policies and practices to reduce identifiable canoe hire company, report their impact on the river. However, there are any breaches of the canoeist code of some other steps you can take to minimise conduct to the Environment Agency. The the impact canoeing has on your enjoyment hire companies have a duty to ensure their of the river: customers are fully aware of the code of conduct on page 37. 1. Try to avoid weekends and bank holidays when canoe traffic is at its heaviest, 7. Make sure you are aware of any access especially during low water in the summer arrangements on sections of rivers that do months. If possible, concentrate your fishing not have a right of navigation before you on weekdays. purchase fishing. For the Usk and the upper Wye, a quick reference “Where and When” 2. Concentrate your fishing efforts early and guide is available on our website www. late in the day when canoe traffic is at its wyeuskfoundation.org/navigation/ataglance. lightest. These are also the times when fish php are most active in summer. If you come across any breaches to the 3. If you are well concealed, make canoeists upper Wye and Usk access arrangements aware of your presence well in advance of please report them to us on - them arriving in your swim. Most canoeists [email protected] will move to the other side of the river. with details such as where, when, how many 4. If you are wading, indicate clearly which and if applicable, which outdoor activity side of the river you wish canoeists to pass. provider or canoe hire company were involved. 35 35 Canoeing on the Wye and Usk

Where and when... Although canoeing can On the main river Wye below Hay there is a take place public right of navigation and this is the paramount between 18th right. The Environment Agency is the Navigation October and Authority and it is their responsibility to ensure 2nd March on adequate legislation, information and liaison. the Usk and On all of the Usk and Wye upstream of Hay there between 18th is no public right of navigation (save for the pool October and immediately upstream of Newton Weir, Brecon) 15th March although from time to time we receive claims to on the Wye, the contrary. WUF has set up arrangements for additional days canoeing these sections, supported by Welsh on both rivers Government’s Splash fund. These arrangements are permitted allow access to rivers and permission to canoe when the outside the salmon fishing season and during height is over the season when the rivers are in spate. Red lines the red line. on our gauges indicate the heights above which navigation can take place. Convenient access points enable the most interesting sections to be paddled but before doing so, it is vital to look at the full arrangements, terms and conditions on our website: www.wyeuskfoundation.org/navigation We continue to make the case for voluntary access as an alternative to imposed legislation and have assisted other rivers in Wales to establish their own arrangements. Upper Wye & Usk Access Arrangements: River Usk: Sennybridge to Crickhowell - canoeing permitted 18th October to 2nd March, and outside these dates when water height exceeds the red line on the gauge at Brecon. Upper Wye: Llangurig to Newbridge - canoeing only permitted when water exceeds red lines on gauges. Upper Wye: Newbridge to Glasbury - canoeing permitted 18th October to 15th March, and outside these dates when water height exceeds the red line on the Llanstephan gauge. Upper Wye: Glasbury to Hay – no water height restrictions apply but launching from Glasbury Bont is restricted to the hours between 10am and 4pm only all year. Canoeing in high water on the upper Wye in Both rivers also have agreed access and exit summer. Note the water height is above the red points. line on the gauge.

36 - as published by the Code of Conduct for Canoeists Environment Agency

Stay Safe Be Fisher Friendly When planning or partaking in your river trip • Pass anglers with as little noise and always consider: disturbance as possible. • Keep away from banks being fished and • Use the river in a safe fashion and fishing tackle. ensure that you have the appropriate safety equipment. • Avoid loitering in pools if anyone is fishing. • Groups of young novice boaters must be led by suitably experienced responsible • Comply with reasonable directional persons – preferably a qualified requests. instructor. • Please also note that fishing from a boat • Don’t drink alcohol during and just prior is not allowed unless you have a valid to your trip on the river. rod licence and permission from the owner/ tenant of the fishery rights. • Follow instructions given to you by your canoe hire operator and/or group leader. And finally... if in doubt, don’t! Care for Wildlife • Avoid disturbing nesting birds along the Consider Other People river banks, particularly in spring time. • Park sensibly without causing • Avoid damaging beds of waterweed. obstruction, do not block gateways or • Stop your activity if you are clearly load and unload vehicles in awkward disturbing wildlife. places. • Keep noise to a minimum. Help Keep a Healthy River • Get changed out of public view. The river Wye boasts excellent water quality • Whenever possible come ashore in a largely unmodified water course. You can at recognised landing places; do help maintain a healthy river by: not trespass on private property or • Taking your rubbish away with you. moorings. • Avoiding damage to banks, the riverbed • When canoeing have special regard and bankside vegetation - this can for beginners, as you would for learner lead to erosion. You can help by only drivers on the road. launching and landing at purpose made • Remember that larger boats are less launch points. manoeuvrable and cannot use such • Avoid dragging boats and equipment shallow waters as canoes, rafts and over rock slabs and stones. rowing boats. • Give way to those engaged in organised competition and have regard to any instructions given by officials. • Hail to draw a person’s attention to a situation which might otherwise result in inconvenience, damage or collision. Please treat a hail as a friendly warning and not as an insult.

37 Set in 20 Acres, Plas Gwyn Estate, Aberedw, Builth Wells, LD2 3UH for groups & families ACCOMMODATION ~ FISHING ~ CAMPING ~ TENNIS

Specialising in self catering, groups, (golf, tennis, fishing, cycling, family, management, etc) A spacious, detached COTTAGE (max 8) with it's own garden and facilities. Farmhouse ACCOMMODATION (max 18), riverbank, veranda, lounges, kitchen, grounds & garden. Riverside CAMPING £8.00 pppn (with facilities). CARAVAN (Riverside) for hire. ‘We offer the utmost flexibility to suit your needs and budget' Contact Michael. T: 07771 866969 e: [email protected] Web - www.plasgwyngold.co.uk Kilsby Country House B&B and Self-Catering Cottage

Magnificent views of the upper Irfon Valley - Ideally situated for the Wye & Usk Passport fishing and other exciting local waters. Reduced rate wild brown trout fishing on the local Upper Irfon beat. Local activities include photography, bird watching, pony-trekking, mountain-biking and walking. Excellent local pubs and restaurants. See more of what we have to offer at...

www.kilsbybb.co.uk and at www.kilsbycottage.co.uk Phone Chris & Sue Cooper on 01591-610281 or email [email protected] for further details, brochures and bookings.

38 The Old Vicarage, Erwood Quality & Value B&B Accommodation overlooking the River Wye We are delighted to welcome patrons of the WUF to The Old Vicarage. The Old Vicarage Nestling in the Wye Valley, we offer comfort, traditional Welsh farmhouse Erwood, Powys hospitality, and the convenience of a location central to many of the LD2 3SZ popular beats on the Wye and Usk catchments. 01982 560 680 With WUF offices 10 mins away in Talgarth, plus Builth Wells [email protected] (10 mins), Brecon (20 mins) and Hereford (40 mins) within easy driving oldvicwyevalley.co.uk distance, we invite you to use us as a base for your visit. We specifically cater for anglers, with drying facilities, early breakfasts, packed lunches, and the general flexibilities anglers find useful . Delicious breakfasts from our own produce, sumptuous antique beds and furnishings, plus stunning views, complete a unique B&B experience at remarkably good rates.

Find our reviews at tripadvisor.co.uk !! FHG Award winner

39 The Cottage of Content ... in Carey is a warm cottage pub and country restaurant in unspoilt countryside near Hereford and Ross-on-Wye just minutes from several prime Wye and Usk Foundation beats.

Owners Richard and Helen Moore are keen to maintain the fine reputation this award winning venue has had for the last few years and have refurbished the pub in keeping with their commitment to quality. With 25 years Head Chef experience, Richard's new menu is already satisfying diners from near and far. We welcome all diners to take a look at our sample menu. Families are always welcome to dine and children's menus are available. The Cottage of Content offers overnight accommodation with 3 Double En-suite bedrooms and 2 Twin rooms with shared bathroom facilities.

The Cottage of Content, Carey, Hereford HR2 6NG Bookings 01432 840242 www.cottageofcontent.co.uk The White Lion

“ the inn on the Wye with the most beautiful views" Landlords Dave and Jacqui Newman offer you a warm welcome to the White Lion Inn. This delightful 16th century riverside inn is a favourite with locals and tourists alike, enjoying spectacular views of the river, of Ross, and the surrounding countryside. 15 Wye and Usk Foundation beats within 20 minutes. Wilton Lane, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6AQ 01989 562785 www.whitelionross.co.uk

40 The Royal Lodge & Hunters Restaurant Symonds Yat East

First class Hunting and Fishing Lodge situated on the banks of the River Wye The perfect location 01600 890 238 www.rhhotels.co.uk

41 Genuine fishing lodge and two holiday cottages on the banks of the River Usk to fish for Salmon and Trout on our one mile beat. Short breaks available. Tel: 01873 840207 Mob: 07866 601310 www.swanmeadow.co.uk Pantygoitre Farm, Llanfair Kilgeddin, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. NP7 9BE

Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages

Cottages in The Brecon Beacons, Wye Valley and Black Mountains

01874 676446 www.breconcottages.com

42 The Fishing at The Glanusk Estate The Estate has 5 miles of private fishing on Glanusk the River Usk, offering the visiting angler wonderful opportunities for both Brown Trout and Salmon. The majority of fishing is Estate within the Park surrounded by the many different species of The Glanusk Oak Collection with over 16 pools from fast rapids to open water. Historical features line the river including the private church, the symbolic bridge with a tower and the Fish Stone. (Standing Stone) Staying at The Glanusk Estate The Estate offers a range of exclusive accommodation including self-catering and fully catered properties all within its 400 acres of private parkland. Penmyarth House has been the home of the Legge-Bourke family for nearly 200 years. It is a sought after location for fishing and shooting parties as well as exclusive celebrations including weddings. The house is available on an exclusive use basis for parties of up to 15 guests and is fully catered. It sits in its own parkland with formal gardens. If you prefer self catering, there are two cottages to choose from: Garden Cottage is situated next to the original, walled garden and is quiet and cosy. It sleeps four guests in one double bedroom and one twin bedroom and is accessed via the old stable block. For larger groups, Glanusk Lodge offers accommodation for up to 12 guests and is within walking distance from Garden Cottage. The Lodge sits next to the site of the original mansion in Glanusk Park and is surrounded by a walled garden with views over the Park and up to the Black Mountains. There is an open fire in the drawing room with triple aspect views, a separate dining room seating up to 14 guests and a well equipped kitchen with an Aga. If you prefer, full catering can be arranged in both Garden Cottage and Glanusk Lodge. The Estate Office We are also very happy to put together a Glanusk Park, Crickhowell, Powys NP8 1LP bespoke fishing package for you. Tel: 01873 810414

43 The Cammarch Hotel Llangammarch Wells Powys LD4 4BY 01591 620545 E-mail: [email protected] www.cammarch.com A friendly welcome awaits you at the Cammarch, a renowned fishing hotel since 1864. Our wonderful AA 4 star guest accommodation is on the confluence of the Rivers Irfon and Cammarch. With 4 miles of left bank Irfon fishing, divided into three beats each set in fabulously secluded locations we can provide superb fishing for high quality wild brown trout, first class grayling and some reasonable salmon. Fishing is reserved for guests and we can cater for large parties as well as the individual fisher and we are central to access many other fisheries across the Wye & Usk catchment. Our accommodation is comfortable and relaxed, the dining room has a wood burner and serves good food and our fisherman's bar is stocked with real ales, wines and spirits to round off a perfect day's fishing. Day fishing is permitted when availability allows. Catch and release only. Please phone the hotel to check availability. Your hosts are Kathryn and Alan and we look forward to seeing you soon

Cefn Parc

Cefn Parc is a Ñ Just off the A40, 3 minutes west of Brecon Ñ Views over Brecon and towards Hay Bluff beautiful Georgian Ñ Very close to fishing on River Usk (day permits available) country house in the Ñ Plenty of space for storing and drying outdoor equipment Brecon Beacons which Ñ Dogs welcome to stay in outdoor kennel with run Ñ offers the ideal Babies and children welcome Ñ Stair lift (wheelchair access) combination of luxury Ñ Tea, coffee, kettle and hairdryer in all rooms – and free WiFi bed and breakfast accommodation in a 01874 622661 | www.cefnparc.co.uk beautiful location. Cefn Parc | Llanspyddid | Brecon | Powys LD3 8PF

44 Find Luxury In Wales at Gliffaes Country House Hotel

Kick off your shoes and join us for comfortable, gorgeous rooms, open fires, delicious food and excellent service, in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

One of the last real fishing hotels, this relaxing haven is located off the beaten track in 33 acres of stunning grounds, surrounded by magnificent trees and next to the River Usk. The Good Hotel Guide has awarded Gliffaes its Editor’s Choice Award for Fishing Hotel of 2015!

Chosen by the Daily Telegraph as one of Britain’s Top 100 Affordable Hotels and recipient of a Gold Award for 2015 from Visit Wales, we offer sheer luxury – without the exorbitant prices.

More than just a place to stay, we want you to leave us relaxed and refreshed. Welcome to Gliffaes.

- James & Susie Suter

Telephone: +44 (0)1874 730 371 www.gliffaeshotel.com Gliffaes Hotel, Crickhowell, Powys. NP8 1RH45

Gliffaes 16 February 2015 11:23:22 The Booking Office

How to Book: catch returns and feedback page at www. Online at www.wyeuskfoundation.org/ wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/feedback fishing/booking_office for river, beat, month etc. to tell you what is being caught, where and how! Our website Our Online Booking System is the simplest also gives you details on river heights and way to secure your fishing. Simply find the weather forecasts - www.wyeuskfoundation. beat you want to fish, check availability and org/conditions book the days(s) you want, paying by credit or debit card. When you have made your Bookings, wash-offs and refunds: booking, you will be sent a confirmation Unlike fisheries in other areas of the UK, by email with all the necessary beat maps, most of our Booking Office beats operate directions and other details. Those booking a “wash-off” policy. This means that should fishing this way will also receive a 10% you turn up and are unfortunate to find the discount on all purchases from Sportfish in river in flood, you can re-book for another 2015. Most of the beats in the Booking Office day. Please note, however, that the policy is are available to book online. For those that subject to conditions: aren’t, or for anglers without internet access, • A “wash-off” must be reused on the same the alternative is …… beat and within the same calendar year. By telephone or in person. Our offices • Re-bookings are only possible in the event are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, of a flood that makes fishing impossible telephone 01874 712074. Payment can be or dangerous and the Booking Office made by credit/debit card and if booking by Manager’s decision on water conditions is phone, we will post or email the beat maps final. and directions to you. • For salmon anglers, if your washed-off Please be aware that our office is always booking is during a non-peak period and busy, so sometimes it may be difficult to get you re-book during a peak period, you will be through by telephone. In addition to the day required to pay the difference. ticket price there will be a booking charge, which is less for booking online. If you need (Full terms and conditions can be seen on catch information you can now search our our website)

46 Photo: Adam Fisher

Otherwise, once you have made a booking, The Booking Office also provides: either over the phone or online, no refunds • Information on instructors, guides, ghillies are possible. Prices, availability, rules and and tackle shops. regulations can change at any time of the • Environment Agency Rod Licences. year and will be shown on the website. Please note that Wye salmon day tickets vary • Advice on the best places to fish, which in price depending on the time of year. methods are working and the prevailing conditions.

Please Note: Whilst the Wye & Usk Foundation endeavours to ensure that the information provided in this booklet is accurate, we cannot be held liable for any errors or discrepancies that occur. Through the “The Wye and Usk Foundation Fishing Passport”, the Foundation has opened up miles of wilderness fishing that would otherwise be inaccessible to visiting anglers. With any fishing there are risks involved. Whilst we endeavour to highlight any such risks, the Foundation cannot be held liable for any accidents, personal injury or damage to property.

Follow us on Twitter for up to the minute Foundation news such as new beats, river conditions and more... @WUFoundation

47 The Wye Salmon, trout, grayling and coarse fishing www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office

The upper Wye in its Autumn livery a few miles downstream of Builth Wells. Photo: Rod Calbrade

he Wye has nearly everything a river good coarse fishing opportunities, especially Tangler could want: salmon; trout; for chub, pike and dace. Wading can be grayling; barbel; chub; big pike and an array difficult in places, although some beats are of other coarse species and, of course, easier than others. The upper river also offers spectacular scenery along one of the most some great fishing on two of the Wye’s larger famous valleys in the UK. The only thing tributaries, the Ithon and Irfon. missing is, perhaps, a sizeable run of sea trout From Glasbury to Monmouth the Wye takes although even a few of these are caught on a leisurely, meandering character, with every year, usually by pike anglers using a more uniform width and depth, passing lures in February. For 2015, we have 60 river through Hay-on-Wye, Hereford and Ross-on- Wye Booking Office beats for you to try. Wye. While offering good salmon prospects Upstream of Glasbury is a fast, bedrock in medium water heights, this is the river’s dominated river, interspersed with sections best coarse fishing, with barbel the primary of gravel. This part of the Wye offers excellent target species. The strong flow, gravel fly fishing for salmon in higher water riverbed and large banks of ranunculus make conditions along with the river’s best trout ideal habitat for these powerful fish. Other and grayling fishing. There are also some coarse species are prevalent too with pike,

48 Whitney Court fishery a few miles downstream of Hay-on-Wye.

chub and large shoals of dace also drawing the best trout rivers in the country. anglers to this part of the river. Although not Downstream of Monmouth the river quickens targeted, there are an increasing number of and this is where some of the Wye’s most trout and grayling being caught in the middle productive and exclusive salmon beats can reaches of the Wye. The Monnow joins at be found. Monmouth and is highly regarded as one of Photo: Chris Ponsford

The Caradoc beat between Hereford and Ross. Popular with salmon and coarse anglers alike.

49 The Wye

River Wye season dates Salmon 3rd March to 17th October (Some upper river beats operate a season extension to 25th October) Fly and spinning only 3rd March to 31st August Fly fishing only All season Mandatory catch and release All season Brown trout 3rd March to 30th September Grayling 16th June to 14th March Coarse 16th June to 14th March

50 51 The Usk Photo: Rob Olsen Salmon and trout fishing www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/usk

s well as being a premier Welsh bearing through Abergavenny and the town Asalmon river, the Usk (Welsh of Usk itself, joining the Bristol Channel at name:“Wysg”) is also acclaimed as one of Newport. the best wild trout rivers in the UK, capable of The salmon run on the Usk is slightly later producing brown trout up to five pounds in than the Wye, with the bulk of the catches weight with the average fish being around a coming from May/June onwards but there pound. are springers to be found too. Early season From the Usk reservoir, the river flows in an salmon fishing tends to be confined to the easterly direction through stunning scenery, lower reaches but from June onwards, passing to the north of the Brecon Beacons salmon can be found as far upriver as before starting to take a more southerly Brecon.

52 River Usk season dates Salmon 3rd March to 17th October Fly only 3rd March to 31st May Fly & spin only 1st June to 15th June Fly, spin and permitted baits 16th June to 15th September Fly & spin only 16th September to 17th October Mandatory catch and release 3rd March to 15th June Sea trout 20th March to 17th October Fly only 20th March to 31st May Fly, spin and permitted baits 1st June to 15th September Fly and Spin only 16th September to 17th October Brown trout 3rd March to 30th September Photo: Matt Dunkinson

53 The Loughor Salmon, sea trout and trout fishing www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/loughor

he source of the river Loughor is an Tunderground lake near the Black Mountain. It emerges at the surface from Llygad Llwchwr, which translates as “eye of the Loughor”. Rising out of limestone, the river flows past Ammanford and Hendy in Carmarthenshire and Pontarddulais in Swansea. It divides Carmarthenshire from Swansea for much of its course. Well known for large sea trout and late season salmon, it is a relatively short river with a huge estuary. Narrow and winding, the Loughor is a more demanding river to fish at night than the Towy and Teifi. It can, however, produce spectacular results: River Loughor season dates the best sea trout in 2013 Salmon 20th March to 17th October weighed 13 pounds. This Fly & spin only 20th March to 15th June river is another one of Wales’s Fly, spin and permitted baits 16th June to 7th October hidden gems. Fly & spin only 8th October to 17th October Sea trout 20th March to 17th October Fly & spin only 20th March to 14th April Fly, spin and permitted baits 15th April to 7th October Fly & spin only 8th October to 17th October Brown trout 3rd March to 30th September

54 The Dee Trout and grayling fishing www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/dee

he Welsh Dee offers anglers some October are the best months. Grilse usually Tof the best river fly fishing in Wales. It start running in July and sea trout are present is renowned for salmon, trout and sea trout in meaningful numbers from June onwards. but is particularly famous for its grayling, with The brown trout fishing on the Dee starts prolific numbers, a high average size and on the 3rd March and ends on the 30th plenty of 2lb+ fish. September, while the grayling fishing starts The salmon and sea trout fishing is under- on the 16th June and continues throughout rated and although the spring runs of salmon the winter until the 14th March. are not what they used to be, there are still good numbers of summer and autumn fish, with a good number over 10lb. Although fish are present in the river from early May, given good water conditions September or

Welsh Dee season dates Salmon 3rd March to 17th October Sea trout 20th March to 17th October (Method restriction dates apply for both salmon & sea trout – see byelaws) Grayling 16th June to 14th March Brown trout 3rd March to 30th September

55 The Towy & Cothi Salmon, sea trout and trout fishing www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/towy

he river Towy is one of the UK’s best the first rise in water in May but early season Tsea trout (known as sewin in Wales) brown trout fishing can be fantastic with fish rivers and is renowned for producing fish well up to 3lbs possible. into double figures. The river flows from Llyn Fly fishing at night for sewin is a truly unique Brianne, through the towns of Llandovery experience. Feeling the line tighten in pitch and Llandeilo before entering the Bristol darkness before fighting with what could be Channel south west of Carmarthen. a double figure fish is a sensation described The river is approximately 75 miles long and eloquently by Steffan Jones on pages 24 its valley is some of Wales’s most beautiful and 25. The Towy & Cothi also have a good countryside. Fishing starts in earnest on April run of salmon up to 25lbs, with the average 1st with large spring sea trout possible from fish being 8-12lbs. the outset. These rivers give the game angler the rare The river Cothi is the main Towy tributary, opportunity of pursuing salmon and trout flowing from its source north east of the during the day followed by sewin at night, in village of Pumsaint, through Dolaucothi the magical Welsh countryside! before joining the Towy at Abercothi Estate. The Cothi starts to produce sea trout after

56 River Towy season dates Salmon 1st April to 17th October Fly & spin only 1st April to 15th June Fly, spin and permitted baits 16th June to 7th October Fly & spin only 8th October to 17th October Sea trout 1st April to 17th October Fly, spin and permitted baits 1st April to 7th October Fly & spin only 8th October to 17th October Brown trout 1st April to 30th September 57 The Teifi Salmon, sea trout and trout fishing www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/teifi

he river’s source is Llyn class. The smaller school fish arrive TTeifi, one of several lakes in abundance from the middle of known collectively as the Teifi Pools June onwards, peaking in July which are situated in the Cambrian and August. The Teifi also has a Mountains. As the river makes its respectable salmon run. The larger way through the rolling hills of Mid spring fish arrive in March, April and Wales it flows through Tregaron, May, followed by good numbers Lampeter, Llanybydder, Llandysul, of autumn salmon and grilse, who Newcastle Emlyn, Cenarth, make up the bulk of the run. Llechryd and, finally, Cardigan. The The Teifi is also worth visiting for river becomes tidal below Llechryd. wild brown trout fishing with fish up The Teifi is famous for its large to three pounds caught most years. run of sea trout, which arrive from Grayling have also been caught March onwards. These are followed on the upper river but they are by the main run, largely made up probably not present in sufficient of sewin in the four to six pound numbers to target outright. Photo: Steffan Jones

58 Photo: Steffan Jones

River Teifi season dates Salmon 1st April to 17th October Fly & spin only 1st April to 15th June Fly, spin and permitted baits 16th June to 7th October Fly & spin only 8th October to 17th October Sea trout 1st April to 17th October Fly, spin and permitted baits 1st April to 7th October Fly & spin only 8th October to 17th October Brown trout 1st April to 30th September Upstream of Lampeter Bridge 3rd March to 30th September 59 The Taff Photo: Gareth Lewis Brown trout fishing www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/taff

he river Taff rises as two rivers in the TBrecon Beacons. The Taf Fawr starts below Corn Du, south-west of Pen y Fan and flows south through the Beacons, Cantref and Llwyn-on reservoirs. The Taf Fechan rises immediately to the south of Pen y Fan and runs south through the Neuadd, Pentwyn and Pontsticill reservoirs before descending into a wooded gorge and flowing into Merthyr Tydfil. Below Merthyr it joins the Taf Fechan from where the main Taff meanders its way towards Abercynon and Pontypridd before arriving in Cardiff. The Taff experiences a late run of salmon and the occasional sea trout but it is more famous now for the high numbers and size of brown trout and grayling.

River Taff season dates Salmon 20th March to 17th October Fly & spin only 20th March to 15th June Fly, spin and permitted baits 16th June to 30th September Fly & spin only 1st October to 17th October Sea trout 20th March to 17th October Fly & spin only 20th March to 14th April Fly, spin and permitted baits 15th April to 30th September Fly & spin only 1st October to 17th October Brown trout 3rd March to 30th September

60 The Aeron & Arth Salmon, sea trout and trout fishing

he Aeron is a classic spate Triver that contains sea trout, salmon and brown trout. The sea trout range in size from half to ten Aeron & Arth Fishing pounds or more. Salmon have been caught over twenty pounds and one Aberaeron Town Angling Club spectacular example can be seen mounted in the bar of the Black Lion Hotel in Aberaeron. The native brown trout are usually small but can provide challenging sport using light tackle. The sea trout begin running in April or May and continue until the end of the season. The runs are generally water-dependent with the best fishing usually coinciding with higher levels. Sea trout can be caught during the day on worm and spinner, especially during high water, with fly-fishing best after dark. River Aeron season dates Salmon run the river during Salmon Fly & spin only 1 April to 15 June high water and are generally Fly, spin and permitted baits 16 June to 7 October caught during the second half Fly & spin only 8 October to 17 October of the season. Trout can be Sea trout Fly, spin and permitted baits 1 April to 7 October caught throughout the season. Fly & spin only 8 October to 17 October Brown trout Fly, spin and permitted baits 1st April to 30th September

61 Hidden Lakes & Reservoirs www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/stillwaters

estled amongst the Welsh their own right, these fisheries also provide a Nmountains and amongst the good alternative for river anglers coming from hills and the valleys of the Marches are afar finding flood or unfishable river conditions. numerous reservoirs, upland llyns, lakes To see the location of these still waters, please and pools offering a wide range of game see the map on page 64. and coarse angling opportunities. In addition to being popular destinations in Photo: Adam Fisher

Pant-y-llyn, near Builth Wells. A remote mountain llyn that contains highly prized wild carp.

62 Photo: Meyrick Ames Photo: Meyrick

Usk Reservoir: just one of the upland still waters available to trout anglers in the Passport. Photo: Adam Fisher

Bugeilyn, one of the several upland llyns bookable through the Passport that offer truly wild trout fishing and where you are unlikely to see another soul all day.

Carp feeding off the surface in Trelough Pool, one of Herefordshire’s Hidden Lakes.

63 Stillwaters

64 Bannister Rods Hand Planed Split Cane Fishing Rods So Why Split Cane? The answer is simple... Hook a fish on a well For stream and river balanced cane rod and the fishing rods there is no whole set up will come alive like no other material. better material. No other A well designed taper not only transmits the energy of the caster’s material casts like cane. arm down the fly line and out through the tippet but also It will tuck short, neat, communicates the movement and power of a fighting fish back roll casts into the quiet down the line into your hand. places, where trout lie. Hook a 10" wild trout on a good 7ft 4wt and you will see why so The fabric of the cane many people are talking about cane rods. itself will help to load the rod. For any further information please contact: And in the right hands it Luke Bannister. Unit 4, Little Northcott, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 9EQ will cast a long line delicately and accurately. Tel 01288 353986 www.splitcane.co.uk

65 Wild Streams One result of the Foundation’s restoration work (pages 4 to 7) has been the development of new fisheries in remote and unspoilt upland rivers. These streams and their occupants offer an escape back to the essence of fly fishing.

ne result of the Foundation’s however, prefer to know that a section of Orestoration work (pages 4 to 8) has river is theirs for the day, that they don’t have been the development of new fisheries in to be up at the crack of dawn to beat anyone remote and unspoilt upland rivers. These else to the riverbank and that they can fish in streams and their occupants offer an the knowledge that the trout haven’t seen a escape back to the essence of fly fishing. fly that day. The Wild Streams offers the best of both worlds. The Fishing Passport was created in 2003 with support from a post Foot and Mouth Advance Bookings disease fund, Adfywio, to kick-start rural For those who like to secure their fishing, the tourism. In its early years the Passport Wild Streams fisheries are available to pre- concentrated on wild brown trout fishing book online or over the telephone (contact in tributary streams that had received details on P67). Once you have booked, you habitat improvements. The concept was will be emailed your day ticket, along with an early example of what is now widely maps, directions etc. Unlike other Booking called “the ecosystem approach” to river Office beats, however, you book the whole conservation. If these streams could beat (rather than individual ‘rods’). This provide an income for their owners, means that the beat is exclusively yours for there would then be an incentive to look the day, enabling you to fish just by yourself after them, thereby benefitting the entire or with a friend for no additional cost. Please catchment. note the maximum number of anglers per For wild brown trout enthusiasts, this was booking is two. Like Booking Office beats, manna from heaven! At last there was a pre-bookings on the Wild Streams can be quick and simple way to access miles of made by anyone i.e. you do not need a river and stream that was largely unknown Season Permit to do so. to all but the most adventurous. Wild Streams Season Permits Many trout anglers enjoy the freedom Wild Stream beats cannot be booked on of being able to roam between streams, the day. In fact, bookings for any particular dropping in whenever they see some day cease at 6pm the day before. Those water that takes their fancy. Others, beats that haven’t been pre-booked are then 66 Photo: Matt Dunkinson

For more information on the Wild Streams please call us on 01874 712074 or see our website: www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/wild_streams

available to those in possession of a Wild Stream Season Permit, who are free to roam and fish any of them. Season Permits can be Wild Streams bought from the Foundation for £75 (single rod) or £110 (double rod) respectively. volunteers A list of the beats available for each day is shown on our website. This list is viewable The volunteers have again been only by Season Permit holders entering out over the winter clearing beats their username and password. Alternatively, and improving access with most permit holders can find out what beats are of their work taking place before available for the day by calling us. the trout season starts. Please let us know of any access issues You will find a great diversity of you come across but bear in characteristics in the 60+ Wild Streams mind that streams will always beats - open to overgrown, fast and shallow be more overgrown in July and to deep and meandering, easy wading August! beats to those best suited to a mountain goat! What we do promise is that they all We would like to take this hold catchable wild brown trout and, in opportunity to thank the some cases, grayling too. volunteers involved. It is crucial for the whole Wye & Usk fishery When you have finished a beat and are that these streams are open to returning to your car, please understand visiting anglers. Their importance that these beats are situated on farming to the overall health of a river land so apart from instances where there are system (providing incentives roads or clearly marked footpaths, anglers for owners to protect nursery should stick to the course of the river. Once streams) is acknowledged widely you have arrived home please ensure you within fishery conservation. complete an online catch return. As well as essential catch information, this will give us instant feedback on any access issues.

67 Fly Fishing Small Streams Oliver Burch, fly fishing instructor, on how to get the best out of fishing small streams.

mall stream fishing, which usually if you prefer), a few little Black Gnats and Sinvolves a good long walk in delightful Gold Bead Hare’s Ear nymphs in sizes 14 scenery, teaches the angler to become a and 16, to be selected depending on the minimalist. Start by discarding everything strength of flow. I also carry some Deer’s which you don’t actually need to carry. Hair Emergers in size 14 and 16 to cater for Anything longer than a 7 foot rod will be a those rare occasions when a prominent real hindrance under the trees. You will need wing is required, a few Foam Beetles to try a reel weighing about 3.5oz to balance on trout feeding under bushes, and Pink it and a floating line of about 3 weight, Shrimps for holes where grayling are to be which might as well be double-tapered found. Only where mayfly can be expected because you will not be casting for any would I carry a few appropriate imitations, great distance. A short leader which can be plus some heavier tippet nylon to present cast accurately will be a lot less trouble than the larger fly properly. Licence, fly floatant, a long one. Try a 5 foot section cut from a tippet degreaser, nylon snips and forceps tapered leader needle-knotted to the main for unhooking, plus a small wooden net, line and ended by a mini-ring, followed by complete the requirements. about 2 feet of 6X tippet. Carry a spool of tippet material in your pocket, because it “Last time I was tempted to will likely be tangled up in vegetation and leave the net in the car I found changed several times during the day! myself connected to a 16 One little box of flies will be quite enough - small stream trout are opportunists, rarely inch trout” fussy about exact imitations if they aren’t Is a net necessary? Most trout in brooks spooked and the fly is presented in the are small enough to be brought to hand, right place. Stick to small, dull, generalist but there are occasional exceptions and patterns in which you have confidence. I fish quite a number of Wild Streams beats have a dry fly on brooks for most of the season, recorded trout and grayling to 18 inches or so my own box contains plenty of tan or so. The last time I was tempted to leave the rusty-brown Klinkhammers tied on size 16 net in the car, as luck would have it I found hooks (a small Adams would do just as well myself with the little rod bent double and

68 connected to a 16 inch trout lunging down Newcomers who might already be good to reach nearby tree roots in a deep hole! fly-fishers in more open spaces, often start Fly-fishing a small stream is in some ways a off with tangles in trees. An hour or two more to get the casting eye in, the first few microcosm of fishing on larger rivers, but the trout come up to the dry fly and you start challenges and pleasures are multiplied. Out to hear: “How interesting…I wonder if one is on the main Wye or Usk you can be busy there…oh yes!” The process becomes more all day on a couple of pools, but walking and more absorbing. After a day of it, most up a couple of miles of brook you may deal of us become hopelessly addicted. with fifty miniature pools one after the other, each of them presenting opportunities and Flexibility is key to the Wild Streams. The problems to be solved. fishing includes a variety of waters and different characteristics so do pay attention “After a day of small stream to the online guiding notes and feed back your experience to the Foundation after fishing, most of us become fishing. You will usually be proceeding hopelessly addicted” upstream and trout at close quarters are The essential charm of this fishing lies in easily spooked; the first or second cast will give you the best chance at each fish, after taking the time to solve these problems, which it is normally best to move on. sitting down and looking at the water now and then, trying to work out where the fish If fishing via a Wild Streams Season Permit, lie and how they might be taken. the presence of a car on a designated parking spot indicates that another angler The lesson that a fish on station needs is already on the beat. If so, select one of access to both food supply and cover from the other beats available that day – small predators gradually becomes instinctive. streams always take a day to recover once The angler begins to get a feel for how far to an angler has been through them. stand off, how closely he can approach to fish, and how to take cover. Fishing on tiny Last but not least, please respect fences and brooks, I would argue, will teach you more livestock, and the farmers and land owners about the quarry and its environment than who have made this fishing available to us. any other branch of game angling. 69 Location of Wild Streams Beats Location of Wild Streams

70 www.wyeuskfoundation.org

The Wye & Usk Foundation Wye The

71 The Upper Wye, Photo: Steffan Jones Ithon and Irfon

et in wonderfully remote and rugged With the exception of the Ithon, these rivers Sscenery, the upper Wye and its are also often fishable when high water is tributaries offer some of the most inspiring affecting the rest of the catchment, rising and trout and grayling fishing available through falling quickly and remaining clear in all but the Passport scheme. the worst of floods. Located in the heart of Wales, these rivers Amongst the upper Wye’s smaller tributaries offer a variety of characteristics from the are the Edw, Clettwr and Llynfi Dulas…. open, gravel bedded stretches of the main stem and the river Ithon, to the more bedrock dominated Irfon.

72 The Edw

teeped in history, it is easy to lose This upper Wye tributary has been one of the Syourself in the magical Edw valley. most popular trout streams in the Passport Folklore has it that Prince Llewelyn, the last scheme. With 4 beats and around 5 miles of Welsh Prince of Wales, hid in the caves at water to fish, it offers a good variety of water. Aberedw in 1282 before escaping the forces The Edw could almost be described as a of Edward I by turning the shoes on his horse river in reverse. The lower 2 beats are high the wrong way round, eventually being slain gradient and flow quickly over bedrock near the river Irfon making them a fairly difficult wade but Whatever the legend, the valley’s history is providing some fantastic pools and glides. evident through the numerous castles and The upper two beats, however, run through earthwork fortifications, many of which are farmland and are more leisurely and still visible today. meandering.

73 Clettwr, Llynfi and Llynfi Dulas

Clettwr Llynfi & Llynfi Dulas

s the name suggests (Clettwr is he Llynfi has many of the Aderived from the Welsh for ‘rough Tcharacteristics of an Usk tributary, water’), this stream is an interesting mix of running red when in flood for example. gorges, riffles, pools and minor falls. The This small stream holds one of the highest Clettwr runs off the slopes of Cefn Clawdd densities of trout of the Wye tributaries, with and enters the Wye at Erwood, 7.5 miles plenty of 1lb+ fish. It has a spectacular mayfly south of Builth. For its size it holds a good hatch - be there for that if you can! population of trout and benefits from two Stealth is required to fish the Llynfi Dulas Foundation fish-passes. effectively. Wade carefully - walking on the This is real mountain stream fishing and high banks will mean that you are often a challenge to the most hardy. It can be, silhouetted against the sky. A few anglers however, extremely rewarding to those have been surprised at how small this river is willing to try! Pure escapism, you won’t know but when fished properly with the right tackle the joys of this stream until you have fished and tactics, the Llynfi Dulas can produce it. Go with a small brook rod and be prepared spectacular results. for a climb. Over 3 miles of this river is on offer via 2 adjoining beats, all of which can be classified as small stream trout fishing.

74 The Lugg and Arrow

oth rivers begin life in the heart Bof the Radnor Forest, flowing in an easterly direction to begin with. The Lugg is joined by the Arrow just south of Leominster, before continuing south to the confluence with the main Wye, a few miles downstream of Hereford. There are fifteen Wild Stream beats to try on these two wonderful rivers in 2015. Amongst them is a tributary named the Pinsley Brook, which has been described as “the nearest thing to a chalk stream in Herefordshire.” All the stretches provide exciting brown trout fishing while the Court of Noke, Eardisland, Arrow Mill and Monkland beats on the Arrow and the Middlemoor beat of the Lugg also have populations of grayling. More Lugg and Arrow fishing is available via the Booking Office. It is worth noting that due to nature of the geology in the Lugg and Arrow catchment, these rivers hold their flows in prolonged dry periods for much longer than others. Conversely, they can take much longer to drop after a few weeks of wet weather!

7575 The Photo: Steffan Jones Monnow

orming the border between England by those who fish it regularly. Grayling are Fand Wales for much of its length, the also present in many of the middle and Monnow starts life in the hills around Hay lower reaches. Until recently much of the Bluff, flowing for approximately 26 miles in a Monnow was relatively private and therefore general southerly direction before entering frustratingly unavailable to visiting anglers. the Wye at Monmouth. However, alongside extensive habitat Named in Welsh “Myn-wy” literally “by the restoration schemes undertaken by The Wye”, it is the first major tributary of the Wye Monnow Rivers Association, much more of the river has been opened up. and was historically known as “one of the very best trout streams in south Britain” (The We have 15 highly recommended Wild Field 1904). This bold claim is still upheld Stream beats on the Monnow system.

7676 The Usk Tributaries Photo: Adam Fisher

he quality of Usk tributary fishing On the lower catchment, the Afon Lwyd Tis well reflected in the difficulty in (Grey River) is a small river in South Wales obtaining it. Rivers such as the Grywne Fawr which flows from its source in the Black are renowned locally for their wild brown Mountains, through Pontypool and trout fishing and we are lucky to have two Cwmbran before flowing into the river Usk at beats on this magical little stream. The Caerleon. Grywne Fawr is located one valley west of 30 years ago, this was one of the most the Honddu, a tributary of the Monnow (not polluted rivers in the UK, carrying to be confused with the Usk’s own Honddu!) effluent from mines, steelworks and and a wonderful trout stream itself. This is a urban development (hence its name). A good area to be based for a few days of small comprehensive clean up has enabled trout stream fishing as the overall Wild Streams to recolonise and Natural Resources Wales map shows on pages 70 and 71. and WUF are removing the various barriers to Much of the Passport’s other Usk tributary migration so that sea trout and salmon may fishing is in the upper catchment, where the again return. It remains essentially an urban Cilieni, Senni, Crai and Bran provide some river and one is never far from remnants of wonderfully remote, small streams to explore. the post industrial age but we see it as a triumph that fishing is now available.

7777 The Garren Photo: Adam Fisher and Forest of Dean streams

he Garren is a lower Wye tributary that The Forest of Dean is an area of ancient Tenters the main stem between Ross woodland to the east of the lower Wye. The and Monmouth. It is a lowland stream with Passport brings you fishing on 3 of its small a mixture of slower, meandering water and trout streams, all of which flow south east faster sections flowing over gravel. It holds directly into the Severn Estuary. Despite their a range of species, including chub, but it is size, the Cannop, Bideford and Blackpool the trout and grayling that will be the main brooks are consistently high in the average interest to the fly fisher. For 2015, there are catch statistics. You won’t find monster two beats on the Garren to try. trout here but the sheer number of trout that inhabit the streams is impressive.

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