Holme Lacy 4 & The Elms

River level

The lowdown

• This is classic Wye Valley water: peaceful, rural and nicely away from the hustle. The banks are steep in places, mind, and that clay-based soil can turn properly slippery.
• There are several named salmon pools through the fishery, so salmon anglers have plenty of character to explore. Salmon catches must be reported to H&DAA without delay.
• Chub and barbel are the headline coarse fish here. The wider list also includes bream, carp, dace, eel, perch, pike and roach, giving the stretch a decent mix.
• The river can rise quickly. Keep a close eye on Environment Agency gauge levels before setting off, especially after rain when the pace and colour can change in a hurry.
• For coarse anglers, trotting and feeder work are the obvious approaches to consider around the glides, creases and steadier edges. Let the conditions dictate the swim.
• Spinning is banned unless you’re a salmon member fishing during the salmon season. Drop-shotting is also prohibited, so check the rules before bringing a lure outfit.
• Access is a bit of a faff. The farm track is long, bumpy and heavily rutted, and wet weather may mean 4x4-only access. Keep vehicles on the roadway and don’t drive beyond the fishing hut.
• Parking is limited to five vehicles a day: one space beside the track/stile and five by the hut. The church car park is out of bounds. All vehicles must leave before darkness.
• Fishing is sunrise to sunset only, with no night fishing. Boats, dogs, keepnets, fires, barbecues and other flame-heated devices are all prohibited.

Methods: For coarse fishing, trotting and feeder tactics should suit the Wye’s changing flow, with chub and barbel the main targets. Salmon fishing is available to the relevant H&DAA members during the permitted season.

Access & tickets

Get your ticket before heading onto a peg — there are no bank sales. Outlets include Woody’s Angling Centre and Rock’s Angling in Hereford, plus Docklow Tackle and Alan’s Fishing Tackle.

Fish the club names

chub, barbel, bream, carp, trout, perch, pike, roach, eel

Key rules

• Fishing is restricted to H&DAA members and permitted guests; full H&DAA membership is required for ordinary access.
• Holme Lacy 4 must be booked at least 24 hours before fishing, no more than two weeks ahead. No block bookings.
• Boat fishing is prohibited.
• Dogs, keepnets, fires, barbecues and other flame-heated devices are prohibited.
• Spinning is prohibited unless the angler is a salmon member fishing during the salmon season.
• Drop-shotting is prohibited on this stretch.
• Salmon catches must be reported to H&DAA without delay.
• Check Environment Agency gauge levels, as river levels can rise quickly.

Where it is