Fownhope 5

River level

The lowdown

• The named pools are The Barr, Lea Brink, Froth Hole and The Lucky Stone. The Lucky Stone is recognised by the holder as a catch location in this part of the Wye.
• There are extra unnamed pools down at the lower end, so there’s more water than the headline pools suggest. Handy if the nearer swims are busy.
• The upper field is the popular starting point for coarse anglers, mainly because it’s closest to the parking. It’s also where you’ll find several croys to fish from.
• Fancy a proper wander? More than half a mile sits downstream. The banks below the wood are more open, with plenty of room to spread out.
• It’s a 300-yard walk from the parking area to the riverbank. Once you’re there, access at the water’s edge is described as relatively easy.
• There’s a landslide at the upstream end of the wood, so don’t try entering that way. Use the public footpath around it and enter the wood from downstream.
• The Middle Wye here is slower, wider and more meandering than the upstream river. That gives the beat a gentler feel, with pools and steadier water to work through.
• The water is highly rated for coarse fishing. Barbel, chub, pike and dace are the named species, making trotting and feeder approaches worth considering where conditions suit.
• Fly fishing can work in suitable water. Spinning is allowed when national byelaws permit it, so check the current rules before packing the lure gear.
• Only four tickets are available per day. The owners also reserve the right to fish two rods daily, although the holder says this is seldom used.

Methods: Coarse fishing is the main draw, with trotting and feeder approaches suited to the slower, wider Middle Wye. Fly fishing can suit the right conditions, and spinning is permitted when national byelaws allow it.

Access & tickets

Book through the Wye & Usk Foundation’s Fishing Passport scheme. Full-day and evening tickets are available for the listed fishing categories, with block booking also offered.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, pike, roach

Key rules

• National fishing byelaws must be observed.
• Catch and release applies to all species.
• Dogs are not allowed.
• The beat operates a wash-off policy.
• Entry to the wood is prohibited from the upstream end because of a landslide.
• Anglers fishing the wood or water below it must use the public footpath around the wood and enter from its downstream end.
• Spinning is permitted when national byelaws allow it.
• A maximum of four tickets is available per day.

Where it is