Middle Ballingham & Fownhope No.8

River level

The lowdown

• This is a secluded beat with a bit of everything, from wadable streamy water to deeper, slower pools. Handy if you fancy changing things up through the day.
• At the upper end, look for the gentle glides running over gravel. They’re the sort of swims that should suit a tidy trotting approach for dace and chub.
• The deeper sections offer a different game altogether. They’re described as suitable winter pike water, so there’s a cheeky cold-weather option when the river is carrying colour.
• The water is available from both banks for the full described length. That gives you plenty of scope to hunt out the crease, quieter edges and steadier bits of flow.
• Access along the bank is on foot only, and anglers are advised to travel light. There are several access points, although some banks are steep in places.
• Access is described as good overall. Parking is in a lay-by, roughly 100 metres from the downstream section, so there’s no huge faff before you’re on the bank.
• It’s a small-capacity beat, with a maximum of three tickets available per day. That should help keep the place feeling peaceful rather than rammed.
• Methods can be varied, just as the official description suggests. Trotting is a clear fit for the streamier gravel sections, while the deeper pools invite a more patient approach.
• All fishing is catch and release, and a catch return or feedback report is required afterwards. Dogs are welcome, but they need keeping under control.
• The standard coarse restrictions are worth having firmly in mind: one rod per angler, no keepnets, barbless hooks, and no worm, prawn or shrimp baits. Fishing runs from sunrise until one hour after sunset, with no night fishing.

Methods: Trotting is well suited to the gravelly glides for dace and chub, while the deeper, slower pools are described as winter pike water. The beat is also suitable for varied fishing methods, with salmon and coarse fishing available.

Access & tickets

Tickets are run through the Wye and Usk Foundation’s Fishing Passport scheme. Salmon, river-trout, junior and evening tickets are listed through the scheme, with half-price evening tickets available from 1 May after 1pm on the fishing day.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, pike

Key rules

• Catch and release applies to all species.
• National fishing byelaws must be followed.
• The beat operates a wash-off policy.
• Dogs are allowed but must be kept under control.
• One rod per angler under the standard coarse rules.
• Fishing access is from sunrise until one hour after sunset; night fishing is prohibited.
• Keepnets are prohibited and barbless hooks are required.
• Worm, prawn and shrimp baits are prohibited.
• A catch return or feedback report is required after fishing.

Where it is