Golden Mile and Sheepwash, River Wye near Fownhope/Ballingham

River level

The lowdown

• This is the “Ballingham & Sheepwash. River Wye” water in Phoenix Angling Club’s rules, with the Golden Mile treated as the privately syndicated section linked to the Fownhope/Ballingham stretch.
• Fishing is restricted to coarse fishing during the salmon close season. The permitted dates are 18 October to 2 March the following year — and the club is clear that the water must not be visited outside those dates.
• The Golden Mile and Sheepwash are proper river stretches rather than a club stillwater. Expect running water and natural river features, with the crease, glides and deeper bits likely to be the places to pick apart.
• Barbel and chub are the named fish here. The club’s own news page records catches of both, including a match catch made up of barbel and chub.
• Trotting through steady flow, working a feeder into a crease or fishing a bait hard on the bottom are the obvious approaches for this sort of Wye water. Keep things tidy and mobile when the river is pushing.
• There’s a retreat at the downstream end of the Golden Mile. The exact mileage and number of pegs aren’t stated, so don’t expect a neatly numbered bank with every swim mapped out.
• Overnight fishing is not permitted. The club says roughly an hour after dark may be acceptable, but settling in for the night is a definite no-go.
• Parking is allowed on the grass verge beside the railway bridge. Keep every gate closed and locked where fitted, and be prepared to move if a booked match affects your peg.
• All fish must go back alive with minimum stress. Barbel cannot be kept in keepnets except during a bona fide contest, and carp fishing needs an unhooking mat or cradle measuring at least 1.1m by 0.8m.

Methods: A cracking winter Wye option for trotting, feeder work and bottom fishing around the creases and deeper runs. Barbel and chub are the main targets named by the club, so keep the tackle sensible and river-ready.

Access & tickets

Apply through Phoenix Angling Club’s membership page, which provides application information for the 2026–27 season. No day-ticket or season-ticket price is published in the checked official page text.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub

Key rules

• Fish only during the permitted season, 18 October to 2 March of the following year; do not visit outside those dates.
• Coarse fishing only during the salmon close season.
• All gates must be kept closed and locked where fitted.
• No litter, discarded line, shot, bait bags, tins or cigarette ends.
• Return all fish alive with minimum stress.
• Do not retain barbel in keepnets except during a bona fide contest.
• Carp fishing requires an unhooking mat or cradle of at least 1.1m by 0.8m.
• Members must carry their current club membership card; match bookings may require anglers to move from affected pegs.

Where it is