Coarse

While the Usk has some good stocks of chub, barbel and dace, it is the Wye that will challenge any UK river with the quality of its coarse fishing. The river is blessed with an array of species - perch, dace and roach are all commonplace but chub, barbel and pike are the focus of attention for most anglers. The amount of water available to coarse anglers has been substantially increased in recent years. To preserve the quality of the wild, natural fishing of the Wye our policy is to limit both the number of rods and the amount of fishing on each beat. Our research shows that this is how you would prefer the river to be managed.

Chub are prevalent throughout the system except for the very smallest streams. 4lb fish are common in the upper river, while the average size in the middle reaches is around 3lb. In winter bread flake and mash reigns supreme, but in the summer and autumn good numbers can be caught on almost any method. Different stretches will fish better for chub in certain water conditions and at different times of the year.

The Wye is widely regarded as a top UK destination for barbel anglers. The river provides ideal habitat for these fast, powerful fish. 5-8lb specimens are commonplace, frequently interspersed with doubles. Wye barbel are noted for their lean, muscular physique so expect a hard fight. The Passport's coarse fisheries are lightly fished - there is no need for bolt rigs and boilies. Traditional baits such as luncheon meat, maggot, (please note byelaws do not permit the use of maggots between 16th June and 14th September) and sweetcorn all do well, especially when fished in conjunction with hemp seed. On occasions, however, large pellets and considerable patience are required to get through the shoals of chub.

The record Wye pike, a fish of 39lbs, came from the river near Hay and the best fishing for them is to be found from there downstream. Some of the beats further upstream, especially around Builth Wells, also hold the occasional specimen. Every year, pike of 30lbs are landed and there are plenty of 20lb+ fish. For those coarse anglers who would like to know more about the barbel and pike fishing on the Wye, please have a look at the film clips on Martin Bowler's website

Numbers of dace have increased dramatically in recent years and can be found as far upstream as Builth Wells. Perch have also been making a comeback and although worm fishing is not allowed on Passport beats, a lip hooked minnow float fished near cover is almost as good. 4lb perch are to be found in the slower sections below Hereford, while upstream 2lb is a good fish. The roach fishing waxes and wains. Reports of good fish come in from time to time, usually caught by chub and dace anglers, but they are not really targeted on Passport waters.

Coarse fishing follows the national season dates although many of the Wye beats only allow coarse fishing out of the salmon and trout seasons. Please note that no night fishing or camping is permitted on any WUF coarse fishing water. Click here for details of WUF coarse fishing regulations and a summary of relevant byelaws. Please note, however, that this is a summary only and anglers need to familiarise themselves with the full EA byelaws before fishing.

All the Passport's river Wye and Lugg coarse fishing is available through the website.