By recording the number of fish caught, angling associations can better manage their waters and fish stocks.
If we have fished a Wye and Usk Foundation (WUF) beat, it is mandatory that a catch return is completed online. As your guide, I’m happy to submit a return on your behalf but if you would prefer to do this yourself, please go online here.
Unfortunately not – most angling associations and fisheries do not allow dogs.
Yes, according to fishery rules but I always encourage catch and release – particularly for wild fish.
Of course, certainly the fundamentals of fly casting can be taught over grass. I usually make use of a local park or playing field.
Permits prices are not included as part of the guiding fee, but I can purchase them on your behalf (prices vary depending on location).
A typical guided day would be a maximum of 8 hours, with night time sea trout sessions being anything up to 5 hours (depending on conditions).
Yes, a range of vouchers are available to suit your needs – please click here for further information.
Note: vouchers need to be paid for upfront and used within 2 years of purchase.
All fishing tackle can be provided, including chest waders but please feel free to bring any of your own tackle. Advice on suitable rods, reels, lines, leader set-ups and fly selection will be provided on the day.
If you are new to fly fishing, the wide variety of modern tackle on offer can seem overwhelming. I can help you save time and expense by pointing you in the right direction from the outset, so that you get the most out of this wonderful sport.
1 to 1 tuition is always preferred but I can guide a maximum of 3 anglers per session. Any more, and I will organise for another paid guide join us. I am fully insured through the Game Angling Instructors Association (GAIA).
Please bring a packed lunch and something to drink. It’s also advisable to wear suitable clothing for the conditions, such as warm socks, a waterproof jacket, hat and eye protection (sun glasses or prescription spectacles). Drab colours are recommended, to avoid spooking the fish. It’s also a good idea to bring a complete set of dry clothes, should you get wet. Chest waders can be provided – please let me know your shoe size in advance.
For safety reasons, if you have any significant medical conditions, mobility difficulties or serious allergies, please mention this at the time of booking so that I can take this into consideration when planning your day.
Indeed, if required casting tuition can form part of your guided day. With complete beginners, the fundamentals of fly casting are demonstrated and practiced before we start fishing (usually over grass).
I offer tuition on all traditional and modern fly fishing techniques on rivers and stillwaters:
- upstream dry fly
- wet fly, including North Country spider fishing
- modern euro nymphing
- klink and dink, dry dropper etc.
- streamer fishing
- lure, nymph and dry fly fishing on stillwaters
- ‘walk and cast’ approach on upland lakes (llyns)
- night fly fishing for sea trout.
Note: you need to be reasonably fit to enjoy a day on a river or upland llyn – we would normally walk a few miles in a typical day.
An Environmental Agency fishing licence (either trout and coarse or salmon and sea trout) is needed by all adult anglers. These are available on a daily, weekly or annual basis from post offices, online or by phone 0344 8005386.
Please note that our arrangements and dates need to be firm. Once booked and paid for, tickets for river beats and fisheries cannot be refunded. If the river is fishable on the day booked – we will be expected to fish.
A flooded river can make fishing difficult and very dangerous. If we are unlucky with the water conditions, we have the option of either postponing or alternatively, visiting a local stillwater fishery.
The weather is obviously very unpredictable, and rivers can become unfishable in a matter of hours. For this reason, I will liaise with you via phone or email up until the night before your guided day/session.
Some Wye and Usk Foundation river beats operate a ‘wash-off’ policy. This means that the day ticket purchased can be used at a later date during the same calendar year. I make no extra charge under these circumstances.
Offering some advice on the banks of Claerwen (Elan Valley, mid-Wales)