Fishing in Wales
Game Fishing
If your passion is game angling, then Wales is for you. It has a wealth of rivers and lakes in a variety of stunning scenarios, choosing where to fish is often more difficult than actually catching your fish.Welsh rivers account for more than half the sea trout caught in England and Wales, couple this with the number of large seatrout caught every year and the availability of fishing, it makes for a very special destination.
Wild brown trout are abundant, whether you fish the famous rivers or intimate brooks; the stunning lowland lakes or the majestic highland lakes, the challenge is the same. These trout are truly wild and the angler must use all his skill to catch them.
The reservoirs of Wales are set in such scenery that you would be forgiven for thinking they had always existed, these, together with small fisheries of quality; provides the angler with plenty of choice.Wales has always had quality grayling fishing, but the choice of rivers is now expanding, the rivers of South Wales are gaining a high reputation for the quality of their grayling. One thing is certain when you have fished in Wales; you will treasure the memories
Best of Wales offers many luxury cottages with fishing on site or nearby. We can also put you contact with local fishing guides (such as Spencer John) who can provide a tailored, personalised service that many people find to be far more beneficial than the 'normal', large-group-based tours.
Sea Fishing
With a coastline that stretches from the Severn estuary in the south to the mouth of the Dee in the north, Wales has a fantastic varied coastline. Vast storm beaches like Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth), Llangennith or Freshwater West are heaven to a variety of species such as bass and mullet and the anglers who pursue them. The rugged coastlines of the Gower, Pembrokeshire and the Llŷn Peninsula hide a plethora of rocky marks where monster pollack and wrasse lurk in kelp strewn gullies and small sandy bays. Blue-green rivers lazily snake their way to the sea through long sandy estuaries such as the Loughor, Dyfi and Tywi, providing a temporary respite for the migratory salmonids who spawn in our rivers and streams and a longer home for bass, flatfish and the occasional tope.
The age-old tradition of sea faring manifests itself in the huge choice of Barbel from the Rivers Wye and Taff. You can fish the streaming tide as it roars over the reefs of Cardigan Bay or try your luck fishing the wreck of an unlucky vessel that fell foul of the combination of strong tides and rocky shoreline that makes Wales so beautiful. If launching your own vessel is your wish, there is plenty of choice with little or no charge for the privilege from the majority of sites and you may venture out to explore little bays such as Sully bay or the coves around Anglesey.
The Gulf Stream influence on the West Wales Coast have produced large sharks with many Blues over 170lb and Porgies over 165lb. The last five biggest blue sharks caught from Welsh waters were caught on White Water charters.
Course Fishing
If you’re already into coarse fishing, or want to learn the ropes, Wales is the place to try. Nowhere in the world are you likely to find so much variety of first-class angling packed into such a small country. Just about all species are present, from Gudgeon to big hard-fighting Barbel to specimen Carp and Pike. Even a long holiday isn’t enough to sample everything, so unless you intend to specialise, there could be a problem of what tackle to bring along.
A general-purpose Carp rod of 10-11ft should do the trick; ideal for distance casting and strong enough to handle large lake Carp or powerful Barbel from the Rivers Wye and Taff. A reel with a couple of spare spools wound with 6, 12 and 18lb nylon is recommended with spools of thinner nylon for traces. Floats, shot and weights of choice together with a suitable landing net, rod rest and a selection of barbless hooks completes the list of necessary tackle.Big items like a bivouac, umbrella, barbecue and easy chair are optional. Travel as light as you can for freedom of movement. It’s all too easy to overload yourself, and most of it can be dispensed with, if you think about it.Bring enough bait for the first weekend until you find the nearest supplier. There are plenty all over Wales to choose from, and they’ll also have any tackle you forgot to bring.
