The Warren Fishery, Hay-on-Wye

River level

The lowdown

• You get roughly a mile of fishing, all on the right bank. The lower end starts at Steeple Pool below Warren Cottage, while the upstream limit is the end of the stone wall at Lap Stone Pool near The Burlands.
• It’s a scenic Hay riverside stretch with a proper mix of water. Expect faster runs alongside slower, steadier sections, so there should be plenty to poke about in as conditions change.
• Barbel are the headline coarse fish, generally running around 6–9 lb. Look for the crease, the steadier edges and any deeper-looking glide where the flow eases off.
• There are some serious pike in the water too. The holder reports fish to 28 lb 8 oz, with 20-pounders quite common. That’s a cheeky bonus if you fancy a lure or deadbait session.
• Chub go to 6 lb, with 4 lb fish described as very common. They’ll be worth a look in the slacker water and around features, especially when the river has a bit of colour.
• Roach, perch, bream and dace are also named, giving you plenty of options for a float or feeder approach when the bigger fish aren’t playing ball.
• Small trout are present, while good grayling turn up in winter. The stretch hasn’t been fished for salmon for many years, and the holder currently describes it as a coarse fishery.
• Coarse fishing runs from 16 June to 14 March. That gives you a decent season to work with, although winter is particularly interesting for the grayling mentioned by the holder.
• There are no numbered pegs specified, so this is more about finding the right swim than following a peg plan. Take the beat map and rules document, then have a proper look at the flow before settling in.

Methods: Trotting, feeder work and targeted barbel or chub fishing all look bob on here, with pike anglers able to switch to lure or deadbait tactics. Match the method to the water: quick runs for active fish, steadier glides for a more patient approach.

Access & tickets

Fishing information and permits are available from F.W. Golesworthy & Sons in Broad Street, Hay-on-Wye. The holder also provides a fishing-beat map and fishing rules document on its website.

Fish the club names

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

Key rules

• A valid rod licence is required for anglers aged 12 or over.
• The listed coarse-fishing season is 16 June to 14 March.
• The listed trout season is 3 March to 30 September.
• The listed salmon season is 3 March to 17 October.
• Lifetime and 10-year ticket holders may take a guest.
• Yearly and day-ticket anglers may bring a junior rod-licence holder or child free of charge.
• Anglers should follow the fishing rules document supplied by the holder.

Where it is