River Wye (Hay-on-Wye)

River level

The lowdown

• This is a single-bank stretch on the Wye, right by the border town of Hay-on-Wye. Roughly 800 yards of fishing is available, so there’s a fair bit of water to get your teeth into.
• The character is clear and fast-flowing. That points to keeping things tidy and controlled, with your bait presented properly rather than letting it race off down the swim.
• Barbel and chub are the headline fish here, according to Warrington Anglers. Grayling, wild brown trout and seasonal salmon are also named across the holder’s waters.
• For barbel, a feeder approach is the obvious bit of river craft to have in the armoury. Keep an eye on the flow and look for a comfortable line where the bait can settle.
• Chub suit a mobile approach. Trotting or working likely water makes sense on a clear, lively river, especially when you’re trying to cover a few swims rather than sit it out.
• The association controls one bank only. A free fishing stretch lies upstream of the association water, so check exactly where the club boundary starts before setting up.
• This isn’t day-ticket water. All Warrington Anglers Association fisheries are members-only, so there’s no last-minute cheeky quid ticket available for a spur-of-the-moment session.
• Night fishing is available on the Wye, but it needs sorting in advance. Booking is between 9am and 6pm, up to seven days ahead, and the river allows one night of night fishing.
• Boat fishing is banned, dogs aren’t permitted, and litter must be taken away. If you’re targeting barbel or another potentially big fish, an unhooking mat is compulsory.

Methods: The clear, quick flow suits neat feeder work for barbel and a controlled trotting approach for chub. Keep everything organised, especially when fishing a lively river.

Access & tickets

This is Association-owned water for Warrington Anglers Association members. The Association does not sell day tickets.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, trout

Named by Warrington Anglers Association across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• River fisheries follow Environment Agency close seasons and by-laws.
• Members must hold a current Environment Agency rod licence.
• Fishing is prohibited from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise unless a night permit applies.
• Up to two rods and a maximum of two hooks are generally permitted.
• Boat fishing is prohibited on association waters.
• An unhooking mat must be carried when targeting barbel or other potentially large fish.
• No dogs are permitted at association waters.
• Litter must be removed from the fishery.

Where it is