Grayling Fishing at Builth Wells Area 4-day, 2023
On a mild Thursday morning, 23 February, I went to the last Grayling fishing day of the 2022/2023 season for the Area 4 Grayling Society. I started at 5.00 as I needed to go to Cefn-Gorwydd first before the fishing started, a fresh clear no frost morning, although it rained while going through the Golden Valley area, (Ross to Hay). This water is controlled by the Groe Park and Irfon Angling Club. They have several miles of the Wye and the Irfon banks to fish. There are 10 beats plus a new one added last year named LLyn-Alarch beat further along the Irfon River, for the fly and trotters/worm, to suit all members. We all met at Gregg’s car park to sign the risk declaration form, pick our various beats although we could alternate between beats during the day as there is so much choice where to fish. 10 members attended and the fish count for the day was 15 Grayling, 5 Trout, 2 Chub The day ticket is £8.00 obtainable from the newsagent in the main street which opens at 5.30am, unbelievable value for fishing for a river of this quality, some banks to climb down but all with wader protection on the wire and easy to manage stiles and many easy areas to reach the water edge, wading is good but a stick is always recommended. Normally when I fish this water it always favours the worm’s fisherman but not today. Too many of them were blank at lunch time, the water was low and clear with quite a fast current. The weather was brilliant for the time of the year 8/10°, sunny with a steady wind which did cause some lost flies and tangles,
I used a 10ft rod, 4lb line with a 12ft leader and 2 droppers although I changed later to 2. As for flies, bugs with gold and black beaded nymphs on 14/12 hooks.
It was a very tricky water to fish on the day although I used a jig hook on the point, I still lost it on submerged obstacles along with 3 more flies.I have always fished the same area – beat 1 pylon beat and beat 2 the fly only section, for easy access and not too difficult wading it depends on the height of the river as to how far you can get your fly across to the far side as all along this far bank is a very deep channel ideal for larger fish if you reach it.
When you obtain your ticket you are given a map showing all beats and access with parking.
Altogether a great day was had by all. Weather was superb, good company and nice to meet old friends who enjoy the sport, it’s not always about the quantity of fish you catch.
My thanks to Geoff Bevan for organising another great Area 4 day.
Andrew Ayres,
Worcester fly Dressers, Grayling Society, Cheltenham & Gloucester fly Dressers, Ludlow fly Dressers, Member.
Worcester Fly Dressers 