Corwen Beats, River Dee

River level

The lowdown

• This is classic Dee country near Corwen, with the scenic Dee Valley, the town and the Llangollen Railway corridor all nearby.
• The water is described as varied, with pools, runs and gravelly shallows. So there’s plenty to get your head around rather than one flat, samey glide.
• It’s primarily game-fishing water, and the club describes the Corwen Beats as famous throughout Europe. Big billing, but that’s exactly how CADAC presents the place.
• Grayling, salmon, brown trout and sea trout are the named targets. The club says the Dee has annual runs in excess of 10,000 fish.
• Fly fishing is available for all four named species. Salmon can also be targeted with bait and spinner tackle where the fishery rules allow it.
• The pools and deeper runs should suit searching water, while the gravelly shallows offer classic river-water options as levels and clarity change.
• Summer nights get a special mention, with the club saying night-time fishing rewards can be particularly good. That’s a cheeky extra angle for the dedicated angler.
• A Geograph photograph shows the Dee at Corwen near the remains of a bridge, giving a flavour of the sort of historic river setting around the beats.
• Access isn’t a simple turn-up-and-fish job. CADAC says normal access requires membership, and ordinary public day tickets aren’t offered.
• Guest fishing is possible, but only through qualifying CADAC members. The guest must be booked in advance, stay with the member and fish the same beat.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Fly fishing is the main game approach for salmon, grayling, brown trout and sea trout. Bait and spinner fishing for salmon is also mentioned, subject to the club’s current rules and the relevant Welsh seasons.

Access & tickets

CADAC does not offer ordinary public day tickets for these waters. Normal access is through membership, while qualifying members can book guest tickets in advance for the Dee, Alwen, Ceirw and Ceiriog.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, barbel, catfish, trout, rudd, chub, crucian, eel, zander

Key rules

• Guest tickets must be booked before fishing.
• The accompanying member must remain with the guest at all times.
• The member and guest must fish the same beat.
• A salmon-and-sea-trout member’s guest may fish for salmon, sea trout, trout and grayling.
• A trout-and-grayling member’s guest may fish for trout and grayling only.
• Members and guests must follow the club’s fishery rules.
• Fishing is subject to the relevant Welsh statutory fishing seasons and regulations.
• An Environment Agency or Natural Resources Wales rod licence is additionally required where applicable.

Where it is