Wye Valley
This stretch of the Wye — from its source at Plynlimon down through Rhayader and Builth Wells — is a different river to the meandering coarse-fishing Wye further downstream around Hay-on-Wye and Hereford. Up here it's fast, bedrock-dominated water, rated among Wales's premier grayling fisheries for both the size and numbers of fish, and Builth Wells hosts the Grayling Masters competition for good reason. The Wye was voted the UK's favourite river in 2010, and this upper stretch is a large part of why.
Salmon still run this high, arriving from late May through summer, though nothing like the numbers of a century ago — Doreen Davey's 59lb 8oz fish from 1923 remains the river record and is very unlikely to ever be beaten. The Irfon, Elan and Marteg tributaries add real variety within a short drive of Builth Wells and Rhayader.
Rivers
River Wye (upper)
Fast, bedrock and gravel water from Rhayader down through Builth Wells. Excellent brown trout and grayling throughout, with salmon reaching this far up the system from late season onwards. Some chub, pike and dace present too.
Grayling · Trout · SalmonRiver Irfon
A fast-flowing mountain tributary joining the Wye at Builth Wells, famous for large grayling and producing chub of a good stamp, with the occasional barbel reported near the Wye junction pool.
Grayling · ChubRiver Elan
One of the main Upper Wye tributaries, running from the Elan Valley reservoirs to join the Wye just south of Rhayader. A good alternative when the main Wye is running too high, with pike, grayling and brown trout.
Pike · Grayling · TroutRiver Marteg
A small stream joining the Wye three miles north of Rhayader, holding a good stock of small wild brown trout and famous locally for its autumn run of spawning salmon.
Wild trout · SalmonReservoirs
Elan Valley Reservoirs
A chain of four dammed reservoirs totalling 850 acres, fly-fishing only, with a good head of wild brown trout throughout.
Claerwen Reservoir
900 acres of wild brown trout fishing, part of the same Elan Valley system.
General guide only — most fishing here is controlled by local angling associations (Rhayader and Elan Valley Angling Association, Groe Park and Irfon Angling Club) with day tickets available from tackle shops and post offices in Rhayader and Builth Wells. Maggot fishing and worm bait are restricted to specific date windows on some club waters. Always confirm current permits, season dates and rules before fishing.
Check today's conditions for the Wye Valley →