Fishing Wales: Game FAQs - Fishing Visit Wales

Q What kind of license do I need to fish for Game species in Wales?
A Anyone over the age of 12 fishing in freshwaters in England or Wales must have a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence. You can buy a licence to fish for coarse fish and non-migratory trout only, or to include migratory salmon and sea trout. A rod licence entitles you to fish with up to two rods and line at the same time for coarse fish and eels, but with only one rod and line for trout, sea trout, char and salmon. Always check club rules and local byelaws regarding the rod limit on the water you intend to fish.

You can purchase a rod license from any post office, from a license agent, by calling the the Telesales Service on 0870 1662 662 or online at:

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/399730/?lang=_e?lang=_e

Q Is there any difference between fishing for trout and grayling in rivers?
A The main differences are Grayling tend to lie in the middle of the river whereas trout seek cover in the bank or under trees etc. They have smaller mouths, which must be reflected in hook size and lie close to the riverbed and where most of their food is found.

Q What type of knot is best to join two lengths of nylon and for droppers?
A The double grinner is generally regarded as one of the best and has a major advantage that it can join two lengths of vastly different diameter.

Q Is there any disadvantage in fishing barbless hooks?
A No, as long as tension is maintained on the fish, there is no disadvantage.

Q Do Seatrout feed in freshwater?
A This is a much-argued topic. Seatrout certainly take food items after being in the river a while, whether they are feeding or playing is another matter.

Q. What is the game fishing like in Wales?
A. First class! With about 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometres) of running water, over 400 natural lakes and about 90 reservoirs, not to mention innumerable ponds and commercial fisheries, all packed into this small country, Wales offers a variety of quality game fishing as abundant as anywhere in the world. One day you could fish a slow, meandering stream among rolling hills, the next you could be in a wild, foaming gorge amid towering, spectacular scenery.
Q. How many game species can I fish for?
A. Wild brown trout are everywhere, even in the most unexpected places. Large stock brownies and rainbows can be caught in the many well-managed stock ponds and most rivers are packed with migratory fish from about June onwards. Arctic char are also to be found in some of the upland lakes in north Wales and although grayling are not classed as a game fish, they provide excellent sport with a fly on many of the eastern rivers.
Q. Is day-ticket water easy to find?
A. Very much so - and at very reasonable prices. Almost all the rivers and nearly all stillwaters will give good value to the holiday angler.
Q. What type of bait should I use?
A. That depends on the rules of the club or riparian owner. Fly fishing is permitted everywhere but bait fishing and spinning are sometimes restricted. Check before you fish.
Q. I fly-fish most of the time. Can you suggest any patterns Welsh trout are keen on?
A. Firstly, always take and try your favourites. Faith in their ability to tempt fish goes a long way towards achieving success. Welsh trout tend not be overly fussy most of the time, as long as your offering looks remotely edible. If you don’t have any particular favourites, click here for more information
Q. Wales is famed for its heavy runs of sea trout. When is the best time to catch them?
A. True, the sea trout (locally called “sewin”) is certainly a Welsh speciality, highly prized for their fighting ability (and taste). The main runs come up from the estuaries from about the middle of June in a normal year, peaking in September. Night is the best time to fish for them as they’re easily spooked, but good hauls can be made around sunrise or sunset.
Q. Can sea trout only be caught with a fly?
A. Worm and spinner can be used to good effect, mostly when the water is high or coloured, though they’ll often take a large, flashy fly at such times. Don’t forget to check whether the fishery allows bait or spinner. Most will.
Q. Which rivers get good runs of sea trout?
A. All except those ending on the far north-east coast. Most of the smaller streams will also house sea trout when water levels are high. And don’t forget fly fishing for sea trout in the sea near river mouths brings the freshest fish to the frying pan.
Q. Do I need any special equipment?
A. A pair of non-slip waders is essential, especially for the larger rivers where chest waders are a definite advantage. A landing net can also be very useful unless you’re an expert. Just keep tackle to a minimum, travel light, and you’ll be able to fish a much longer length of the river than if you were loaded down with gear.
Q. Club waters are often stocked. Where can I find truly wild trout?
A. Some club waters are heavily stocked, that’s true, but most Welsh rivers only hold wild trout, even down to the smallest trickle of water, where you wouldn’t expect to find them. There are many lakes also dedicated solely to wild trout.

Q: Are strike indicators worth using?
A: Yes, they are very useful for those whose vision is not what it used to be and on days when the light is difficult. Although sniffed at by some they are a useful tool for nymph fishing. Try substituting a dry fly for an indicator, to increase your chances of success.

Q: Is there a difference between fishing for wild and non-wild trout?
A: The fundamental difference is the speed of take. Wild trout takes are lightening quick.

Q: What is the game fishing like in Wales?
A: First class! With about 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometres) of running water, over 400 natural lakes and about 90 reservoirs, not to mention innumerable ponds and commercial fisheries, all packed into this small country, Wales offers a variety of quality game fishing as abundant as anywhere in the world. One day you could fish a slow, meandering stream among rolling hills, the next you could be in a wild, foaming gorge amid towering, spectacular scenery.

Q: How many game species can I fish for?
A: Wild brown trout are everywhere, even in the most unexpected places. Large stock brownies and rainbows can be caught in the many well-managed stock ponds and most rivers are packed with migratory fish from about June onwards. Arctic char are also to be found in some of the upland lakes in north Wales and although grayling are not classed as a game fish, they provide excellent sport with a fly on many of the eastern rivers.

Q: Is day-ticket water easy to find?
A: Very much so - and at very reasonable prices. Almost all the rivers and nearly all stillwaters will give good value to the holiday angler.

Q: What type of bait should I use?
A: That depends on the rules of the club or riparian owner. Fly fishing is permitted everywhere but bait fishing and spinning are sometimes restricted. Check before you fish.

Q: I fly-fish most of the time. Can you suggest any patterns Welsh trout are keen on?
A: Firstly, always take and try your favourites. Faith in their ability to tempt fish goes a long way towards achieving success. Welsh trout tend not be overly fussy most of the time, as long as your offering looks remotely edible. If you don’t have any particular favourites, click here for more information

Q: Wales is famed for its heavy runs of sea trout. When is the best time to catch them?
A: True, the sea trout (locally called “sewin”) is certainly a Welsh speciality, highly prized for their fighting ability (and taste). The main runs come up from the estuaries from about the middle of June in a normal year, peaking in September. Night is the best time to fish for them as they’re easily spooked, but good hauls can be made around sunrise or sunset.

Q: Can sea trout only be caught with a fly?
A: Worm and spinner can be used to good effect, mostly when the water is high or coloured, though they’ll often take a large, flashy fly at such times. Don’t forget to check whether the fishery allows bait or spinner. Most will.

Q: Which rivers get good runs of sea trout?
A: All except those ending on the far north-east coast. Most of the smaller streams will also house sea trout when water levels are high. And don’t forget fly fishing for sea trout in the sea near river mouths brings the freshest fish to the frying pan.

Q: Do I need any special equipment?
A: A pair of non-slip waders is essential, especially for the larger rivers where chest waders are a definite advantage. A landing net can also be very useful unless you’re an expert. Just keep tackle to a minimum, travel light, and you’ll be able to fish a much longer length of the river than if you were loaded down with gear.

Q: Club waters are often stocked. Where can I find truly wild trout?
A: Some club waters are heavily stocked, that’s true, but most Welsh rivers only hold wild trout, even down to the smallest trickle of water, where you wouldn’t expect to find them. There are many lakes also dedicated solely to wild trout.

Q: I am new to fly casting and have been given a rod rated for lines #5 – 7. Which line should I buy?
A: You need a line coded WF7F (a Weight Forward AFTM 7 floating line). Later on, you may need to get a sinking line (WF7S) for when fish are feeding well below the surface, but start with a floater which is easier to lift from the surface.

Q: I want to fish wooded rivers and streams in Wales. Which casts will I need?
A: The overhead cast will rarely be much use, but the same cast laid almost flat across the water should come in handy; this is often called the ‘side cast’. Other even more useful casts include the jump roll, spey casts and snake roll cast; these advanced techniques are not easily described and so it is best to seek help from a qualified instructor – but please note that not all instructors are able to teach the full range of casts so do check before making a booking.

Q: What is a ‘spey’ cast and why would anyone want to learn it?
A: The ‘spey’ range of casts all have the advantage that the line does not travel behind the angler on a back cast; instead, the rod is loaded by creating a d-shaped curve of line alongside the angler and with the ‘tail’ (the last two or three feet of line nearest the leader) just touching the water before the forward cast is made. Spey casts are a means of changing direction – crucial when fishing on rivers.

Q: I get wind knots even when casting in a flat calm. Any suggestions?
A: The most common cause of wind knots is snatching at the beginning of the forward cast. The forward acceleration needs to be smooth to obtain a nice loop.

Q: No matter how much effort I put in to my casting, I can’t get my leader to turn over properly at more than 18 to 20 yards. Any suggestions?
A: Casting 20 yards with a normal trout-fishing outfit should be effortless. It’s likely that your timing is not quite right. A lesson with a qualified professional should resolve such problems; meanwhile, try casting more gently.

Q: What is the key to casting great distances?
A: Mainly it’s a matter of smoothness and getting the timing right. To cast further using an overhead cast, you should concentrate on putting a little more power into the back cast. For maximum distance, get a lesson in the double-haul technique.

Q: Is it true that a sinking line casts further than a floater?
A: For a given weight of line the sinker is more dense and so has a smaller diameter than the floater. The result is that the sinker has less air resistance and so should go further if cast properly. But don’t get carried away by distance; a fly cast well at short range is more likely to catch fish than one dumped down with a splash at greater distance.

Q: What kind of fly line will help me to learn the double haul technique quickly?
A: A shooting head is best when you are learning the double haul, but a weight forward line will also do. Once you become good at this technique you can even use a double taper line, albeit with reduced effectiveness.

Q: My children are keen to learn salmon fishing. How old do they need to be before they can manage a double-handed salmon rod?
A: Youngsters usually find it easier to cast with a double-handed rod (rather than a single-handed rod that can put a lot of strain on a young wrist) and so they are less likely to allow the rod to go too far behind them on the back cast. Those aged six or above can usually manage a 12 ft #8 double-handed rod, but keep the sessions short – ten minutes at a time is probably enough at that age. Alternatively, you could fit an extension butt to a #7-8 reservoir trout rod.