The River Wye

The River Wye is one of the most iconic rivers in Wales. It stretches for over 200 miles, and with its clear water, diverse range of fish species, and picturesque surroundings, it is no wonder that it attracts fly fishers from all over the world. 

The river Wye and its tributaries

The River Wye rises in the Cambrian Mountains in Wales and flows through Powys, Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire before it joins the River Severn. Along the way, the river is joined by several tributaries, including the River Lugg, River Arrow, and River Monnow. These tributaries also offer fishing opportunities and are good for grayling and wild brown trout.

Fishing beats on the river Wye

The River Wye is divided into more than 60 fishing beats, each with its own distinct character and fishing opportunities. Here are some of the more popular ones:

The Upper Wye is considered the best beat for wild brown trout, with fish that can weigh up to 3 pounds. This section of the river is also known for its grayling and migratory sea trout. The river is typically fished with dry flies and nymphs during the summer months and with streamers during the winter.

Hay-on-Wye is considered one of the most picturesque beats on the river Wye. This section of the river is known for its grayling and wild brown trout, as well as its large population of sea trout that run the river during the summer months.

Builth Wells is known for its salmon fishing and large sea trout, especially during the summer and fall. The river here is wider than the upper and middle sections and can be fished using traditional wet flies and tubes.

Rhayader is a small town, and this section is known for its wild brown trout and grayling fishing. The river here is characterized by its fast-flowing rapids and deep pools, making it an exciting and challenging beat to fish.

The Lower Wye is the most heavily fished beat on the River Wye, and is known for its salmon, sea trout, and wild brown trout. The river here is wide and slow-moving, making it perfect for casting large flies and tubes.

Fish species

You'll can fly fish for wild brown trout, grayling, sea trout, salmon, and even the occasional Atlantic salmon. The wild brown trout are typically smaller than those found on other rivers, weighing in at around 1-2 pounds. However, the grayling are large, with fish weighing up to 3 pounds not being uncommon. The river is also famous for its salmon fishing, with a run of fish that begins in late November and continues through the fall. Sea trout can also be caught on the river and these are generally caught in the summer months.

Lastly: there's also barbel, chub and large pike that you can catch in the Wye!

Fly Fishing techniques and tips

Fly fishing on the River Wye can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can also be extremely rewarding. The river is typically fished using dry flies, nymphs, and streamers, with the flies being changed depending on the season and the fish species being targeted. In the summer months, dry fly fishing is popular, with mayfly, caddis, and stonefly imitations being effective. In the winter, streamer fishing is more effective.

Nymphing can also be effective throughout the year. The use of a strike indicator with 2 (or even 3 nymphs) are a great way to cover different depths (also see our article on The Two Fly Setup).

When fishing the river it's important to be aware of the changing water levels. The river can become fast-flowing during heavy rain, making it difficult to wade and fish effectively. When this occurs it's best to stick to the banks and fish from the shore.

License

The river has different regulations and fishing rules throughout the season and different beats, so it’s always important to check for more info before you go based on which months you want to go and which species you want to target. For an overview, head over to this website that has all the information: https://www.fishingpassport.co.uk/fishing/wye