Grayling Fishing on the Ty-Mawr Beat
23rd October 2020
Set in wonderfully remote and rugged scenery in the upper Wye catchment area, this beat is probably the furthest up the Wye you can go as its source at Plynlimon is only a few miles away in the Cambrian Mountains. Then it flows down through many counties for 134 miles to join the Severn Estuary at Chepstow.
I chose this beat so as to have a change from wadding on bedrock, as here it is only gravel and stones. What I hadn’t expected was the torrential rain with gale force winds, I obviously picked the wrong day, although still wonderful scenery, but on a day like today it’s the most inhospitable place on earth. As I walked up to the river, undid the line, it was like a telephone wire, horizontal, even with a bead on the point.
The location was a short drive of the main A44 Llangurig to Aberystwyth road, parking and river access was great, with easy banks to get down to the water. (See cattle grid photo the river is between the tree on the left and the barn in front, and you park by the cattle grid). There is vegetation on the banks but in most cases you had an unhindered back cast, especially the further up the beat you went. This beat is just over a mile long with both banks available. The River winds its way down through a patchwork of fields, and the water is constantly building channels between the stones. On the tight bends the current has eaten away the banks making the deep pools. Where ever I looked the water was crystal clear, with fish darting everywhere.
I blanked on this day. Although I saw many fish, I am sure they saw me first and scarpered, as I approached them. Rumour has it that some big fish have been caught – 2lbs WBT, in these pools.
As I walked back I felt, and expect I looked like a drowned rat, but I will definitely be back for another go when the restrictions are lifted. I fished my 7ft 6in 3/4weight rod; 3lb tippet; a Spider on the dropper and a Ginger Tom on the point both size 16. May be too small!
My own feeling was I wasn’t fishing right for the conditions, Fly size? Tippet weight? I could see the fish, my line and the flies, so if I could see it all, I am sure the fish could see me. Also with my wadding stick rattling on the stones, all point to me not being in tune with this stretch of water and its conditions.
I shall have to seek some advice from my fellow members who are familiar with these conditions.
As for wild life – Sheep, Wild Duck and Herons was all there was.
To purchase a Day ticket for £11.00, contact the Wye & Usk Foundation 01874 712074, ref is Ty-Mawr.
Andrew Ayres
WFD, C&GFD and Grayling Society member.
Worcester Fly Dressers 