WALES AND THE BORDERS

There is some excellent trout and grayling fishing to be found in Wales, from the Dee in the north to the Taff and Rhymney in the south.

Mid Wales has the upper reaches of the Severn together with its many tributaries, the most important of which is the Vyrnwy. In the mid to south area we have the Wye and tributaries and finally, in the south we have the Taff and Rhymney.  Access is variable with plenty of day ticket water but for others it is necessary to join the local clubs and associations.

Here is some information which will enable you to fish for our wonderful Welsh sports fish, broken down by catchments areas.

NORTH AND MID WALES - Grayling Society Area 6

River Dee

The lower reaches of the River Dee are predominantly mixed fishing and the first notable wild trout and grayling fishing opportunities are on the first major tributary, the River Alyn.

1) Warrington Anglers Association has, among many other river beats, two stretches on the Alyn. Refer to website for season ticket details: https://warrington-anglers.org.uk/

2) Rossett & Gresford Flyfishers’ beats have increasing stocks of trout and grayling above Rossett. Membership only, refer to www.Rossettandgresfordflyfishing.co.uk

Returning to the main River Dee the next opportunities are:

3) Bangor on Dee Salmon Anglers Association has some excellent wild trout and grayling fishing with day tickets available from Middle Shop, Royal Oak or Buck Hotel in the village. Refer to website

also: www.bodsaa.org.uk

4) The Prince Albert Angling Society controls stretches on the main river at Llandderfel, Cynwyd, Newbridge, Erbistock and Bangor on Dee but issue no day tickets. Membership available – probably with a waiting list in operation. See website: www.paas.co.uk

The next tributary upstream is the River Ceiriog, which is believed to be the river with the steepest gradient in Wales and contains some fine wild trout and grayling fishing.

5) Ceiriog Fly Fishers at Chirk have 8 miles of fishing on some of the lower stretches of the Ceiriog. This club has merged with CADAC. Season tickets only via Corwen & District Angling Club, see 11).

Back on the main River Dee.

6) Llangollen Maelor Angling Association has several miles of fishing in the area and from January 1st 2021, incorporates what was previously Maelor A.A. Membership and day tickets are available, see website: www.llangollen-maelor-angling.com/  Day tickets from Watkin & Williams, Ironmongers, 4, Berwyn St, Llangollen, LL20 8ND. Tel: 01978 860652, open 7 days.

7) Wirral Game Fishing Club have beats at Erbistock, Overton and Chirk as well as a mile-and-a-half stretch at Corwen. Membership only. Refer to website: www.wirralgame.org.uk

8) Midland Fly Fishers Ltd has 4 miles of excellent water from Glyndyfrdwy downstream. Day tickets are available from Watkin & Williams, Ironmongers, 4 Berwyn St, Llangollen, LL20 8ND Tel: 01978 860652, open 7 days.

9) Capenhurst Angling Club has water below Carrog. Membership only, details from Mr A.T. Howden, Secretary, 24 Saughall Hey, Saughall, Chester CH1 6EJ. Tel: 01244 880621. Mobile: 07712 170813. Further details on www.capenhurstanglingclub.co.uk

10) Corwen & District Angling Club has water on the main river and tributaries (Alwen and Ceirw) in the Corwen area. No day tickets available but membership is available. Secretary: Barry Cubbins, 30 Glenavon Road, Prenton, Wirral, CH43 0RE Tel: 07921 480652. Website: www.corwenanddistrictanglingclub.co.uk

11) Ty Isaf Farm, Bala has water between Llanfor & Llandderfel. Tel: Mr. Evans 01678 520574.

12) Bala & District Angling Association has excellent wild trout and grayling possibilities on the Dee from Bala Lake downstream to Llandderfel and in the lake itself. There is also trout fishing available on the Tryweryn, Llafar and Lliw. Membership available, refer to website: www.balaangling.co.uk

Day tickets and permits are available from a number of outlets in Bala:

• Post Office, High Street, Bala.Tel: 01678 520317.
• Y Gwyniad, 33 High Street, Bala. Tel: 01678521654
• Bryntirion Inn, Llandderfel. Tel: 01678 530205.

River Severn Catchment

1) As one progresses up the Severn from its estuary, the first fishing of interest lies on the first tributary where the Gloucester Angling Club holds the rights to seven miles of the River Leadon near Upleadon and Durbridge Mill. This is principally a mixed fishery, but some trout and grayling are in evidence. Membership only. Details on club website. Also, River Leadon day ticket now available. See www.gloucesteranglingclub.co.uk

The next tributary of interest is the River Teme which itself has many important tributaries containing some excellent wild trout and grayling fishing. The first tributary of the River Teme of interest is the Leigh Brook with the Cradley Brook at its head.

2) The Gamefishers’ Club has a stretch on each. Membership only. Details from website www.gamefishersclub.org

3) The Prince Albert Angling Society has several beats on the River Teme from Ham Bridge up to Ashford Carbonell. Membership only. See www.paas.co.uk

The next tributary of note is the River Rea.

4) The White Swan Piscatorials have beats at Cleobury Mortimer, Hopton Court and Detton Bridge. Membership only. Details from website: www.whiteswanpiscatorials.org.uk

5) The Gamefishers’ Club has a stretch on the River Rea at Mawley Hall. Membership only. Details from website: www.gamefishersclub.org

6) Tenbury Fishing Association has about four and three-quarters of a mile on the River Teme and Ledwyche Brook. Membership and day tickets available. Details on: www.temevalley.co.uk/teme_valley_fishing.htm

7) The White Swan Piscatorials have a stretch of the Lower Ledwyche Brook. Membership only. Details from website: www.whiteswanpiscatorials.org.uk

Returning to the River Teme:

8) Tenbury Fishing Association has about four and three-quarters of a mile on the River Teme and Ledwyche Brook. Membership and day tickets are available. Details on website: www.temevalley.co.uk

9) There are two stretches of free fishing in Ludlow. One from Dinham Bridge to Ludford Bridge, known as the Breadwalk, and the other from the Horseshoe Weir downstream for a quarter of a mile to the large pipe over the river. Details available in Theo Pike’s book Trout in Dirty Places. (pub: Merlin Unwin Books 2012).

10) The Plowden Estate has syndicate fishing on the West Onny. For particulars Tel: 07814 562874

Next we come to Leintwardine.

11) The Leintwardine Fishing Club which was founded towards the end of the nineteenth century. There is a long waiting list for membership of this exclusive club. The Leintwardine Fishing Club allows residents of Leintwardine and their guests to fish the first 200 metres stretch of the river below the bridge on condition that they obey the usual protocols of fishing.

A short distance upstream from Leintwardine village the River Clun joins the River Teme and has some fine trout and grayling possibilities.

12) The Pheasant Tail Fly Fishers have a number of beats on the Rivers Clun, Redlake and Kemp close to Clungunford and Aston on Clun. Membership only. Details on www.ptff.fishing  or Email info@ptff.com

13) The Salopian Fly Fishers have one mile of the River Clun near Clungunford. Membership only. Details on the website: www.salopianflyfishers.co.uk

Returning to the River Teme above its confluence with the River Clun there are possibilities at the following locations.

14) Bucknell House has approximately three quarters of a mile of the river which is available to those using the Caravan & Motorhome Club CL site. Tel: 01547 530640. This fishing is also available through the Wye and Usk Foundation. Visit www.fishingpassport.co.uk  for details.

15) Milebrook House Hotel Milebrook House Hotel has approximately three miles of water which is available to residents on the river from Bucknell upstream to Knighton. Details on Tel: 01547 528632 or website www.milebrookhouse.co.uk

Above Knighton the river has a habit of disappearing underground and resurfacing further downstream as it passes through limestone strata. However, when there is water in the river hereabouts fishing is possible.

16) Lower House Farm Lower House Farm has approximately one mile of fishing available to those who call. Tel: 01547 528670.

17) Monaughty Poeth near Llanfair Waterdine, LD7 1TT has about 500 metres of double bank fishing as well as a Caravan Club CL site. Tel: 01547 528348.

Returning to the River Severn, a short distance upstream from Worcester at Hawford, the River Salwarpe enters from the north-east.

18) The White Swan Piscatorials have a stretch of the River Salwarpe at Hawford. Membership only. Details from website: www.whiteswanpiscatorials.org.uk

A short distance upstream of Bridgnorth the River Worfe joins the Severn from the north-east.

19) The Salopian Fly Fishers have some fishing on the River Worfe. Membership only. Details on www.salopianflyfishers.co.uk

Further up the main river the Cound Brook enters from the west.

20) The Gamefishers’ Club has stretches on the Cound Brook close to Eaton Mascott, Cantlop Bridge and Berrington. Membership only. Details from website www.gamefishersclub.org

A little further upstream the River Tern joins the Severn from the north-east.

21) The Environment Agency has one of its free fisheries on the River Tern. Details on www.dofreefishing.co.uk/england/freefishing-shropshire.html

22) The Nantwich Angling Society has a stretch at Waters Upton near Hodnet. Annual membership only. See website for details www.nantwichangling.co.uk

23) The Prince Albert Angling Society has a couple of beats on the River Tern near Upton Magna. Membership only. Details on website: www.paas.co.uk

The Rea Brook joins the Severn in Shrewsbury.

24) Shrewsbury Town Fisheries https://shrewsburytownfisheries.co.uk/  controls the Rea Brook through Shrewsbury.  To buy permits go to https://shrewsburytownfisheries.co.uk/buy-permits/

A short distance upstream from Shrewsbury the River Perry joins the Severn from the north.

25) Warrington Anglers’ Association has a short stretch at Ruyton XI Towns. Membership only. Details on website https://warrington-anglers.org.uk/

The next major tributary is the River Vyrnwy which, with its own tributaries, has some very fine wild trout and grayling fishing venues.

26) At Llanymynech the Montgomery-shire Angling Association has about half a mile of double bank fishing. Membership and day tickets available. Details on website www.montgomeryshireanglingassociation.co.uk  or Tel: 01938 554971.

27) The Prince Albert Angling Society controls several stretches. Membership only. Details on website www.paas.co.uk

28) Crewe Pioneer Anglers has a stretch in the lower reaches. Tel: 01270 214859 for details & permits.

29) Close to Four Crosses the Warrington Anglers’ Association has a short stretch. Membership only. Details on website: https://warrington-anglers.org.uk/

30) Bryn Vyrnwy Caravan Park, near Llansantffraid issues day tickets. Tel: 01691 828252.

31) Five farms in the Meiford area allow fishing for a nominal fee. Details and tickets from the following farmers:

• John Williams, Newbridge Farm, Meiford, SY22 6HS Tel: 01938 500376
• John Jones, Lower House Hall Farm, Newbridge Farm, Meiford, SY22 6HR Tel: 01938 500276.
• Wilf Simmons, Bron-y-Maen Farm, Meiford, SY22 6BS Tel: 07554 119551.
• Mr Evans, Upper Man Farm, Meiford, SY22 6BZ Tel: 01938 500218.
• Mr Breeze, Cilmawr Farm, Meiford, SY22 6XZ Tel: 01938 500307

The first tributary of size to join the River Vyrnwy is the River Tanat on which there are the following possibilities.

32) The Horseshoe Inn at Llanyblodwel has about one mile and issues day tickets. Tel: 01691 828969.

33) The Gamefishers’ Club owns a stretch on the River Tanat upstream of Llanyblodwel. Membership only. Details from website www.gamefishersclub.org

34) The Green Inn at Llangedwyn has a stretch of fishing on the River Tanat and supplies day tickets. Tel: 01691 828234.

35) Back on the River Vyrnwy near Llansantffraid the Bryn Vyrnwy Caravan Park issues day tickets. Tel: 01691 828252.

The next tributary is the River Cain.

36) Green Hall in Llanfyllin offers a small but good stretch of the river. Tel: 01691 648364.

The next tributary is the River Banwy on which there are a number of possibilities.

37) The Prince Albert Angling Society controls three stretches on the River Banwy. Membership only. Details on website www.paas.co.uk

38) At Llanfair Caereinion the Montgomeryshire Angling Association has about half a mile of fishing on the River Banwy. Membership and day tickets available. Tel: 01938 554971 or see website www.montgomeryshireanglingassociation.co.uk

39) Llysun Farm, Llanerfyl has a mile of double-bank fishing on the River Banwy. Tel: 01938 820347

Back on the River Vyrnwy.

40) The Glyndwr Fishery near Dolanog controls two and a half miles of excellent fishing but only season tickets available. Tel: 01363 774926 or visit website for details www.glyndwrfishery.co.uk

Returning to the River Severn above its confluence with the River Vyrnwy.

41) Montgomeryshire Angling Association has nearly two miles of single bank mixed fishing. Membership only, details on: www.montgomeryshireanglingassociation.co.uk or Tel: 01938 554971.

42) Warrington Anglers’ Association has one mile of single bank fishing east of Welshpool town centre. Membership only. Details from website: https://warrington-anglers.org.uk/

Further up the main river the next tributary is the River Camlad with the unique property of being the only river to flow from England into Wales.

43) Montgomeryshire Angling Association has a short stretch of the river near Forden. Membership and day tickets available. Tel: 01938 554971 or details on website www.montgomeryshireanglingassociation.co.uk

A short distance up the main river the River Rhiew enters from the north-west.

44) Near Berriew, the Montgomeryshire Angling Association has a short stretch of the river near Forden. Membership and day tickets available. Details on website www.montgomeryshireanglingassociation.co.uk or Tel: 01938 554971.

45) Further up the River Severn at Newtown there is a very good free stretch below the new bridge. Water in and above the town is controlled by Severnside and Newtown Angling Club. has water in and above the town. Day tickets are available from Newtown Angling. Details on website: www.newtownanglingpowys.co.uk/

46) Caersws Angling Association controls several miles of the River Severn around Caersws and Llandinam. Day tickets available from the Spar Shop in Caersws.

47) The Llanidloes and District Angling Association has stretches of the River Severn below and above the town. Details on www.llanidloes.com/angling_club

48) In Llanidloes there is free fishing on the River Severn at the Environment Agency

Fishery, an 800 metre stretch below the sewage works. Further details from Environment Agency. Tel: 01743 272828.

49) Above the town of Llanidloes the Llanidloes and District Angling Association has water on the River Severn below and above the town on the Rivers Severn, Dulas and Clywedog. Details on Website www.clywedogtroutfishing.co.uk/ and go to the river permits section.

River Wye & Tributaries

The River Wye offers rich and diverse opportunities for grayling fishing both on the main river upstream from Bredwardine and on its notable primary tributaries, the Monnow, Lugg, Llynfi, Irfon, Ithon, and Elan. Many of these primary tributaries support important secondary and even tertiary tributaries of which the Dore, Honddu, Arrow, Hindwell Brook are the most significant for grayling.

1) The Wye and Usk Foundation Passport Scheme offers a superb range of day ticket fishing on these rivers, and can be contacted on 01982 551 520 or www.wyeuskfoundation.org

2) Hay-on-Wye has free fishing on Town water downstream of the bridge to the Pump Station.

3) Glaslyn Estate near Rhayader, superb fishing for holiday guests but no day tickets. Tel: 01597 810258 for booking details.

4) The Red Lion Hotel at Bredwardine The Red Lion Hotel at Bredwardine has 4 miles of water known as The Moccas Fishery. Primarily this is a salmon and coarse fishery, but it is worth noting that a number of trout and grayling have been caught hereabouts. Realistically this beat marks the downstream limit of trout and grayling on the river. See hotel website for particulars: www.redlionhotel.com

5) Between Hay-on-Wye and Builth Wells there are some magnificent beats available on the main river through the Wye and Usk Foundation on www.fishingpassport.co.uk

6) At Builth Wells, The Groe Park and Irfon Angling Club has fishing on the main river and the Irfon. Information available on the website www.builthwellsangling.co.uk/ Tickets are available from Nibblets, the Ironmongers shop, Caer Beris Manor Hotel and Conti’s Newsagents in the main street.

7) Upstream of Builth Wells is the Wye and Usk Foundation has more beats. Details available from the office at www.fishingpassport.co.uk

8) There are beats on the Upper Wye, and Elan around Rhayader which are accessible through the Rhayader & Elan Angling Association www.rhayaderangling.co.uk Permits available from Daisy Powell’s Newsagents, West Street, Rhayader. Tel: 01597 810451.

River Monnow

1) Monmouth & District Angling Society has three stretches on the Monnow. See website for details: www.clywedogtroutfishing.co.uk/

2) The Monnow Fisheries Association has water on the Monnow and Trothy. For further information contact the Secretary on 01989 770667 or visit www.monnow.org

3) The Cwmbran Angling Association has two miles of fishing on the Monnow above Osbaston weir. Details from the website www.cwmbrananglingassociation.com/

4) On the upper Monnow and its tributaries, the Dore and Honddu, the Wye and Usk Foundation offers a range of Passport fishing beats details can be found on the website www.fishingpassport.co.uk

River Irfon

1) The Wye and Usk Foundation has beats on the Irfon. Details from website www.fishingpassport.co.uk

2) Builth Wells, Groe Park and Irfon AC have 3 miles. Tel: 01982 552759 for tickets and information.

3) Hendre Farm, Builth Wells has 3 miles. Tel: 01982 551070 for tickets and information.

4) Permits are available for the Cammarch Hotel water on the Irfon from the hotel. See website for particulars: www.cammarch.com

5) Permits are available for the Lake House Country Hotel water on the Irfon from the hotel. See website for particulars: www.lakecountryhouse.co.uk

Garren Brook

1) The Wye and Usk Foundation (www.fishingpassport.co.uk) has a Passport beat on the lower stretches of this brook.

River Ithon

1) The Wye and Usk Foundation has beats on the Ithon. Details from website www.wyeuskfoundation.org

2) The Llandrindod Wells Angling Association has fishing on approximately 4 miles of the River Ithon in the vicinity of the town. has fishing on approximately 4 miles of the River Ithon in the vicinity of the town. Information on the website www.fishingwales.net/llandrindod-wellsangling-Association/

3) Further upstream towards Penybont day tickets are available from Bryn Thomas Farm, Penybont (Tel: 01597 851315) for about 2 miles of fishing on the River Ithon.

4) The Severn Arms Hotel, Penybont issues day tickets for a few stretches of the River Ithon which are mainly upstream from Penybont. See website: www.severnarms.co.uk  or Tel: 01597 851224 for details.

Rivers Lugg and Arrow

The Lugg and Arrow rivers have substantial grayling populations and are situated in magnificent countryside. Notable grayling beats on the River Lugg are those at Eyton and Lyepole and on the River Arrow are The Leen and Court of Noke.

1) The Hereford and District Angling Association has fishing on the lower Lugg and a few grayling have been recorded hereabouts. Details of permits from website www.hdaa.blogspot.com

2) There is a stretch of free fishing through Leominster town. Details available in Theo Pike’s book Trout in Dirty Places. (pub: Merlin Unwin Books 2012)

3) The Rivers Lugg and Arrow Fisheries Association in conjunction with The Wye and Usk Foundation have a number of beats available on highly productive waters. The Lugg and Arrow rivers have substantial grayling populations and are situated in magnificent countryside. Notable grayling beats on the River Lugg are those at Eyton, Dayhouse, Mortimer’s Cross and Lyepole and on the River Arrow are Eardisland, The Leen and Court of Noke. www.fishingpassport.co.uk

SOUTH WALES - Grayling Society Area 4

River Taff

Has a growing reputation for trout and grayling fishing. One day ticket now covers most of the river downstream of Pontypridd available from Garry Evans fishing tackle in Cardiff (garryevans.co.uk) Tel. 02920 619828. Also, Osprey Angling Association (ospreyffa.co.uk) have several stretches around Pontypridd tickets again available from Garry Evans.

River Rhymney

Good grayling fishing in the Llanbradach and Caerphilly area with day tickets available for waters controlled by Royal Oak A.C., Llanbradach A.C. and Caerphilly A.S. from Tony’s Tackle in Caerphilly (tonystackleandguns.co.uk) Tel. 02920 885409. Please note that Tony’s Tackle is closed on Wednesdays.

River Ogmore

The most westerly river in South Wales with a reliable grayling population. Recently it’s been populated by grayling from the River Ewenny, which is a tributary of the Ogmore joining it just before the estuary. Ogmore Angling Association has 90% of the fishing and day tickets can be purchased from the club online or from Ewenny Angling Tel 01656 650604 but please note that grayling fishing on the Ogmore finishes on 17th October at the end of the sewin season. www.ogmoreangling.com

River Ewenny (tributary of Ogmore)

1) Pencoed and District Angling Club has nice stretch which has received grants from the Grayling Society. Day tickets available Tel. 07728364214. www.padac.org.uk

2) Ogmore Angling Association has water downstream of the Pencoed club water and issue a winter grayling ticket to full members only. www.ogmoreangling.com