Hay-on-Wye — Sam Davies Beat (By The Wye glamping)

River level

The lowdown

• This is a private fishing beat tied to the family-run By the Wye Glamping site. You get access to one rod on the Sam Davies Beat, booked directly through the accommodation.
• The setting sounds bob on: quiet, wooded and right beside ancient woodland, with the River Wye on the doorstep. Hay-on-Wye is only about four minutes away on foot.
• The river offers a mix of deeper, slower water and faster runs. That gives you a few options depending on conditions, from steady feeder work to searching the crease.
• Barbel are a big draw here, with good-quality fish mentioned, while chub are common coarse fish. Roach and dace add a bit of variety to the mix.
• A pebble beach at The Warren is noted for trout, barbel and smaller fish. There’s also a croy, putting you close to deeper water — a handy feature when the river is pushing through.
• It’s primarily coarse fishing, so feeder tactics and sensible river rigs are the main game. Fly fishing is possible when conditions line up, especially around the faster water and suitable runs.
• Salmon may be present early in the season, depending on the run. Trout fishing runs from 3 March to 30 September, while salmon fishing runs from 3 March to 17 October.
• Coarse fishing is allowed from 16 June to 14 March the following year. Keep an eye on river levels and colour — a touch of colour can get the barbel properly on the munch.
• Parking is available for one vehicle per booking, but the tents are at least a five-minute walk from the car park over rough or woodland ground. Bring sensible footwear and keep the faff down.

Methods: Feeder fishing and other coarse tactics look the natural fit, working the deeper water, croy and crease for barbel, chub, roach and dace. Fly fishing is also possible when conditions suit.

Access & tickets

The Sam Davies Beat can be booked directly through By the Wye Glamping. No official Sam Davies Beat ticket price was given; the published Hay-on-Wye public prices are not expressly identified as applying to this beat.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, roach, pike, trout, chub, trout, barbel, trout, barbel, roach

Key rules

• An EA/NRW rod licence is required before fishing the River Wye.
• Anglers must also hold a permit for the chosen section of river.
• Carry your fishing card or ticket while fishing.
• Follow national fishing laws and practices.
• Handle fish carefully and return them to the water.
• Remove tackle and litter.
• Coarse fishing dates are 16 June to 14 March of the following year.
• Trout fishing dates are 3 March to 30 September; salmon fishing dates are 3 March to 17 October.

Where it is