Monmouth — Hadnock (Monmouth & District AS, "Upper" beat)

River level

The lowdown

• This is the Upper Wye at Hadnock, and M&DAS has held the coarse-fishing rights here for about 50 years.
• The fishery is approximately 1,000 metres long and sits on the left bank. No formal peg count is published, so expect a more natural, walk-and-find-a-swim sort of day.
• Access is from Hadnock Road after crossing the main road bridge from Monmouth. The small car park is near the top of Hadnock Road, just before Hadnock Cottages.
• Your first accessible swim is about 60 paces downstream of the car park. Handy enough, but the banks are steep, so take care getting in and out.
• For more swims, follow the cycle track upstream. The route leads to the sheep-pen entrance gate opposite Hadnock Cottages.
• The fishery finishes at a Gwent Angling sign, approximately 300 metres below the river bend. Keep an eye out for that boundary marker.
• The Wye fishing here is coarse fishing, with barbel, dace, chub, grayling and pike named among the society’s River Wye waters.
• Specimen chub and barbel are specifically mentioned. Winter grayling can also be targeted, giving the beat a bit of seasonal variety.
• Trotting or feeder work would suit the coarse-fishing character, while winter sessions can be geared towards grayling. The facts don’t pin down particular swims or depths, so read the water on the day.
• Wet weather makes the steep banks slippery. Proper sensible footwear is a must, and the river is patrolled regularly by authorised bailiffs.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: A versatile coarse-water approach fits the beat: try trotting or feeder tactics for the named Wye species, with winter sessions aimed at grayling. Read each swim carefully, as no individual swim details are published.

Access & tickets

Buy annual membership online through the society’s Clubmate service before heading down; day tickets and day memberships are no longer available. All annual memberships expire on 31 December, and junior membership is £5, up to age 16 or 18 in full-time education.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, pike, trout, chub

Named by Monmouth and District Angling Society across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• The coarse-river season is 16 June to 14 March.
• All anglers must carry the appropriate Environment Agency rod licence.
• Membership cards must be carried while fishing.
• Anglers must use the society’s permitted access route and respect the fishery boundary at the Gwent Angling sign.
• Take care on the steep banks, which can be slippery when wet.
• Authorised bailiffs patrol the river regularly.

Where it is