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RiverDay ticket

The Creel

The Creel is a cracking two-thirds-of-a-mile Middle Wye beat between Backney and Foy, a few miles upstream of Ross-on-Wye. It offers both-bank fishing, varied gravel wading and two named pools, with salmon possible when river levels are suitable.

Run by Wye & Usk Foundation · checked 13 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Ross On Wye gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

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We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open River Ready

The lowdown

  • This is proper Middle Wye water, running through the Wye & Usk Foundation Fishing Passport and capped at just four tickets a day.
  • The beat stretches between Backney and Foy, with Pulpit Pool and Church Stream Pool both included. Plenty to have a poke about in.
  • Both banks are fishable, but the access is very different. The right bank is the easy option, while the island and left bank are wading territory.
  • There’s varied gravel underfoot, so take care. The wading warning isn’t there for decoration, especially if the river has a bit of colour or push.
  • The right-bank access has parking nearby, though the river itself is about 300 metres away across the floodplain. A short hoof, then you’re at the water.
  • St Mary’s Church car park can be used by visiting anglers from 10am until dusk. A donation to the church is requested, which seems only fair.
  • The lower field is let to caravans, so don’t expect complete exclusivity down there. Keep it tidy and give people room.
  • For coarse anglers, barbel and chub are identified from The Creel. A feeder or trotted bait around the creases, gravel and pool edges should be the starting point.
  • Salmon fishing can be productive at suitable river levels. Keep an eye on conditions, and remember the beat’s wash-off policy and catch-and-release rules.
  • Carthage Farm has camping and caravanning available, and block booking is offered if you’re planning a proper few days rather than a cheeky single outing.

Methods: For coarse fishing, work the gravel and pool edges with a feeder or a float when the flow allows, looking for barbel and chub. Salmon can be productive at suitable river levels, with all fishing subject to the beat rules and catch-and-release.

Access & tickets

Full-day coarse ticket

Maximum daily number of tickets is four.

£26.50 to £27.50 (as listed 13 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Block booking

Block booking is available.

£106 to £110 (as listed 13 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Day tickets are booked through the Wye & Usk Foundation’s Fishing Passport booking page. Season rods are available separately through the Fishing Passport scheme.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub

Key rules

  • National fishing byelaws apply.
  • The beat’s coarse-fishing regulations must be followed.
  • The beat operates a wash-off policy.
  • Dogs are not allowed.
  • Catch-and-release applies to all species.
  • The island and left bank are fishable only by wading; anglers are warned to take care.
  • The lower field is let to caravans, so exclusivity is not guaranteed there.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

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