The summer break
Day 0
Optional overnight stay (prior to first full day of fishing) – Stay at your accommodation of choice in or near the historic town of Ross-on-Wye. For Wye Valley accommodation see here. Enjoy a meal out in the town or surrounding villages. Top recommendations in Ross are currently the No.3, the Moody Cow and the Kings Head.
Day 1
Summer barbel and chub – Arrive at one of the many stretches of the Middle Wye between Ross-on-Wye and Hereford (see Wye and Usk passport). At this time of year, the days are long so even a mid-day start still leaves plenty of fishing time!. Take your time to walk the stretch, baiting up some likely spots along the way. Leave these spots to rest and then fish on rotation with lead or feeder fishing tactics. Keep moving every 30 mins until you find the fish and get those rod bending bites!
If conditions allow then wading with either touch ledgering, rolling baits or trotting techniques can be highly productive (and great fun!). This can be particularly good during the midday sun when a moving bait can be the only thing that will get the fish interested.
As dusk arrives ensure your settled into a favoured swim. This is often when the barbel go on a feeding frenzy and multiple takes within an hour happen!
If you don’t have food on the bank (or just need a break after an early start) it can be a nice option to feed up some swims and go for an early dinner before returning to fish into dusk.
With game fishing on the agenda for the following day you may either want to head back to the same accommodation or plan to head nearer to the following days fishing in the Upper Wye region. Close to Hereford or Hay on Wye is a great option to be well placed for this part of the river and its tributaries. See here for accommodation options.
Top recommendations for dining in and around Hereford and Hay on Wye are Chapters and The Causeway but there are so many others to choose from!
Day 2 and beyond
After a long day previously you may want to wake later, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or break up the following days of angling with long lunches, cafe stops, sight-seeing and other activities. For ideas view here.
There are a range of angling options to choose from:
Option 1) River game fishing (trout and grayling) – Head to the upper parts of the Wye or its many tributaries. Day Tickets are available through Wye and Usk Passport.
Option 2) River coarse fishing – Visit the Middle Wye again (this time try one of the many unspoilt and peaceful stretches between Hay-on-Wye and Hereford such as Lower Cannon Bridge). Alternatively try one of the Wye tributaries like the Lugg (great for summer stalking for chub).
Option 3) Stillwater coarse and game fishing – As a change to running water try one of the many stillwaters, whether it be the excellent coarse fisheries like Docklow Pools or Trippenkennet Farm, or maybe try for trout or pike on the iconic 340 acre Llangorse Lake.
