Builth to Llanstephan

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The river Wye runs shallow and fast along this stretch, which follows the A470 from Builth Wells to Brecon. The bed of the river is slate bedrock with deep channels in places, which are great holding spots for salmon. Around Builth Wells most of the town water belongs to the Gro park and Irfon Angling Club. Below the Wye bridge in Builth Wells the water is accessed from the left-hand bank and is easy to wade.

Wye bridge at Builth Wells

Downstream of Builth Wells the next fishery is Glanwye with its fishing lodge adjacent to the main road. The Duhonw runs into the Wye at the top end of the fishery and below this is Duhonw pool one of the best holding pools on Glanwye, and there are board walkways strategically placed into the river to aid access. The use of boards seems to be a common feature for the upper part of the Wye.

Further downstream, between Abernant and Erwood, there is the Nyth which is well known for its rocky overhang, which is a good holding place for salmon but nowadays these are virtually uncatchable with the fly or spinner. When worming was allowed on the river this was a very productive spot because it was easy to dangle the worm in front of the overhang.  Pwll-y-Faedda is a very pleasant fishery surrounded by well maintained gardens and with very easy access and wading. At the bottom end of the fishery is Erwood bridge. There are plenty of grayling to be found in this section of the river.  The bottom end of this stretch of river is marked by Llanstephan suspension bridge which is also the lower boundary of Gromain Fishery. Gromain has its own fishing hut and good access to lots of salmon holding pools, which are predominated by deep channels in the slate bedrock. The fishing is mainly from the right-hand bank but there is also some left-hand bank fishing at the top of the fishery where the Bachawy brook runs into the Wye. Brown trout are prolific here.

Llanstephan bridge

Llanstephan bridge marks the top end of the next map which covers the stretch of the river Wye down to Hay-on-Wye.