FLY FISHING IN WALES

Fly fishing in Wales centres on a handful of truly exceptional rivers. The Wye and its tributaries form the backbone of the mid-Wales fishery — a network of freestone rivers that tumble through wooded valleys and open moorland, holding wild brown trout and grayling in outstanding numbers.

The River Wye itself is one of the longest rivers in Wales and one of the finest mixed fisheries in the UK. In its upper and middle reaches it offers superb wild brown trout fishing through varied water — fast pocket water, deep pools, long glides and tumbling runs. The Wye also holds an excellent head of grayling, making it a genuine year-round fishery. Tributary streams like the Irfon, Ithon, Edw and Elan add miles of smaller, more intimate water where wild browns thrive in stunning isolation.

The River Usk is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and widely regarded as one of the finest wild brown trout rivers in Europe. Its trout population per mile rivals the best chalk streams, but these are freestone fish — strong, beautifully marked and entirely wild. The Usk also receives good runs of salmon and sea trout.

For sea trout, the rivers of West Wales are legendary. The Towy, Teifi and Dovey are the principal sewin rivers, drawing anglers from across the UK and beyond for their summer night fishing. These powerful, silver fish can exceed 10 pounds, and a fresh-run sewin on a Welsh river at dusk is one of the great experiences in British fly fishing.

Wales offers remarkable variety within a compact area. The main fly fishing regions each have their own distinct character and appeal.

The Wye Valley & Mid-Wales: The heart of Welsh river Wye fishing. The upper Wye and its tributaries — the Irfon, Ithon, Edw and Elan — wind through the hills of Powys and the Cambrian Mountains. This is classic freestone trout and grayling country: varied water, low pressure, and spectacular scenery. The market towns of Builth Wells, Rhayader and Llandrindod Wells make excellent bases.

The Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog): The Usk flows through the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, offering world-class wild brown trout fishing in a dramatic mountain setting. The nearby Talybont Reservoir is a 300-acre stillwater holding exceptional wild browns. Brecon town provides excellent accommodation and dining within easy reach of the fishing.

West Wales: The Teifi, Towy and Dovey are the principal sea trout fishing Wales rivers. These powerful spate rivers run through beautiful, often remote countryside and are at their best from late June through August when the main sewin runs arrive. By day they also offer good wild brown trout fishing.

North Wales & Snowdonia: The rivers and lakes of Snowdonia (Eryri) offer a different character — smaller, wilder waters in truly dramatic mountain scenery. The Conwy, Glaslyn and Mawddach all hold wild trout and sea trout. Mountain lakes (llyns) offer solitary fishing for wild browns in breathtaking settings.

Wales is remarkably accessible from all parts of England and from international airports. The main fly fishing regions of mid-Wales are typically 3 to 4 hours’ drive from London, Birmingham or Bristol, with excellent road links via the M4 and M50 motorways.

The nearest airports are Cardiff (for south and mid-Wales), Birmingham (for mid-Wales and the Wye Valley), and Manchester or Liverpool (for north Wales). Bristol Airport also provides good access to the Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons.

Once in Wales, the compact geography is a real advantage. The Wye Valley, Brecon Beacons and upper Usk are all within easy reach of each other, making it simple to fish different waters on consecutive days. A car is essential for reaching the best fishing, but the drives themselves are a pleasure — winding through some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.

For visitors planning a fly fishing holiday in Wales with accommodation, the market towns along the Wye and Usk offer excellent pubs, B&Bs, country hotels and self-catering cottages. Builth Wells, Brecon, Crickhowell and Hay-on-Wye are all popular angling bases with character and charm.

A 9-foot rod in 4 or 5 weight is the standard setup for fly fishing Wales rivers. The 4 weight is ideal for smaller tributaries and delicate dry fly work; the 5 weight is more versatile and handles wind and bigger water better. For sea trout, a 10-foot 7 weight is recommended for night fishing. Floating lines cover most situations, though a sink-tip can be useful for sea trout.

Leaders should be matched to conditions. For dry fly and nymph fishing, 9 to 12-foot leaders tapering to 4X or 5X are standard. For grayling on fine winter days, going down to 6X or 7X can make a real difference. For sea trout at night, a shorter, stronger leader of 8 to 12 pounds is typical.

Fly selection for Welsh rivers is straightforward. Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear, and various beadhead patterns in sizes 12-16. Dry flies: Parachute Adams, Klinkhamer, CDC patterns, and various olive and sedge imitations. For grayling, small Jig nymphs and pink-tagged dries work well. For sea trout, traditional patterns like the Medicine Fly, Teal Blue & Silver, and large dark tube flies are effective.

Breathable chest waders are recommended for most river fishing — Welsh rivers can be cold even in summer. Rubber-soled or studded wading boots are essential for the slippery riverbed. A good waterproof jacket is a must — Welsh weather is changeable, but that rain is what keeps the rivers flowing and the fish feeding.

Welsh rivers are precious natural environments, and responsible angling is central to the fly fishing in Wales experience. Many of the rivers we fish are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and the wild fish populations that make them so exceptional depend on careful stewardship by anglers, landowners and conservation bodies.

Catch and release is strongly encouraged — and often mandatory — on most Welsh waters. Handling fish gently, using barbless hooks, keeping fish in the water where possible, and using a rubber-mesh landing net all help ensure that the trout, grayling and sea trout we catch today will be there for future generations.

Biosecurity is also important. Invasive species and diseases can be spread between river systems on boots, nets and waders. We ask all visiting anglers to follow the “Check, Clean, Dry” protocol — inspect your gear for debris, clean it thoroughly, and allow it to dry completely before moving to a different water.

Our guiding philosophy puts the health of the river first. We support the work of the Wye & Usk Foundation, Natural Resources Wales and local angling clubs who manage and protect these waters. When you fish with us, you’re contributing directly to the conservation of some of Britain’s most important river habitats.