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Welcome to the new web site for
River Wye Gillies Association
River Wye Gillies Association
'protecting and preserving salmon on the river Wye'
Wye District Byelaws 2008
Wye Rod Fishing Byelaws
A guide for anglers 2008
This leaflet is a layman’s guide to byelaws made under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, regulating fishing by rod and line within the River Wye area covered by Environment Agency Wales. This leaflet is for guidance only and is not intended to be a legal interpretation of the byelaws.
Section 1 - Open seasons and method restrictions for salmon
Wye downstream of Llanwrthwl Bridge 3 March to 17 October Fly & spin only....3 March to 31 August Fly only........1 September to 17 October
Wye upstream of Llanwrthwl Bridge and all Wye tributaries 3 March to 25 October Fly & spin only…...3 March to 31 August Fly only…....1 September to 25 October
Section 2 - Open seasons and method restrictions for sea trout
Wye Fisheries District - all rivers 20 March to 17 October Fly & spin only…..20 March to 31 August Fly only.........1 September to 17 October
Notes: Interpretation and definitions for Sections 1 & 2
• ‘fly’ refers to unweighted artificial fly of less than 5g in weight;
• groundbait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time;
• maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are not allowed;
• it is recommended that, whenever fishing with the intention of releasing any fish that are caught, either barbless or de-barbed hooks are used.
Catch & release restrictions
Any salmon caught before 16 June must be returned with minimum injury and with minimum delay.
On the tributaries of the River Wye that join the main river below Llanwrthwl Bridge, any salmon or sea trout caught after 17 October must be returned with minimum injury and with minimum delay.
Rewards for tagged salmon and sea trout
Over the past few years we have released thousands of tagged salmon and sea trout into many Welsh rivers. The tag is buried in the nose of the fish - so you will not be able to see it - but to make tagged fish easily identifiable the adipose fin (the small, fleshy lobe on the back between the dorsal fin and the tail) has been removed. This does not harm the fish in any way.
If you catch any salmon or sea trout which has the adipose fin missing, and you intend to keep the fish (remember all salmon caught before 16 June must be released) you should:
call your local Environment Agency office;
give your name, address and telephone number;
give details of the catch (when & where it was caught, and the size & species of fish);
keep the fish (or just the head) - frozen if necessary - and we will contact you to make arrangements for it to be inspected.
We will pay a reward if it carries a tag and, of course, you keep the fish. The information obtained from tagged fish is vital in helping with the assessment of fish stocks, fish movements and the success of our management and stocking activities. These assessments will, in turn, benefit you through the better management of our fish stocks.
Section 3 - Open seasons for non-migratory trout, coarse fish and eels
Species and location Open season dates (inclusive)
Brown trout
Stillwaters (EA Wales) 20 March to 17 October
All rivers in Wye Fisheries District 3 March to 30 September
Rainbow trout
All stillwaters NO CLOSE SEASON
All rivers in Wye Fisheries District3 March to 30 September
Coarse fish
All stillwaters and canals - no close season (except certain SSSIs - see Section 5) NO CLOSE SEASON
All rivers in Wye Fisheries District16 June to 14 March following
Eels
All stillwaters and canals - no close season (except certain SSSIs - see Section 5) NO CLOSE SEASON
All rivers in Wye Fisheries District16 June to 14 March following
Section 5 - Open season for coarse fish and eels on selected canal & stillwater SSSIs
Pl Note that the coarse fish close season has been retained on the following stillwater SSSI sites in the Wye Fisheries District - the open season for coarse fishing on all of the sites listed below is from 16 June to 14 March following (both dates inclusive) Location SSSI grid reference
Berrington Pool; Hereford & Worcestershire SO 509 630
Cwm Gwynllyn, Gwynllyn, Radnorshire SN 945 692
Fforddfawr Mire; North Brecknock and West Dinefwr SO 187 401
Flintsham and Titley Pools; Hereford & Worcestershire SO 318 589 and SO 325 595
Llan Bwch - Llyn Lake; Radnorshire SO 119 464
Moccas Park; Hereford & Worcestershire SO 341 425
Pentrosfa Mire, Pentrosfa Pool; Radnorshire SO 059 597
Section 6 - Use of lures and baits
Use of lures and baits - general
Crayfish - no crayfish, of any species, whether alive or dead, and whether whole or in part, may be used as bait for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels;
Livebaits - livebait may only be used in the water from which it was taken and only during the same period of fishing;
Fish roe - no fish roe, from whatever source, may be used when fishing for salmon, trout or freshwater fish.
Use of lures and baits - salmon & sea trout
Sections 1 & 2 above show the circumstances in which various baits and lures may be used. The use of a float in conjunction with any lure or bait to take salmon or sea trout is not allowed in the Wye Fisheries District.
Use of lures and baits - non-migratory trout, coarse fish and eels
Stillwaters (including canals):
There are no byelaw restrictions on the use of baits in reservoirs, lakes, ponds or canals but fishery owners may impose their own rules.
Rivers - non-migratory trout:
There are no byelaw restrictions on the use of baits in rivers,
EXCEPT:
groundbait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time;
maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are not allowed.
Rivers - coarse fish and eels:
Within season all methods may be used subject to the following conditions:
• in the River Wye and its tributaries upstream of Boughrood Bridge, natural earthworm, prawn or shrimp are not allowed between
30 September and 1 November;
• maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are only allowed in EA Wales as listed below:
River Permitted dates (inclusive) for use of maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae when fishing for coarse fish or eels
Wye Ithon and its tributaries Irfon and its tributaries Marteg Llynfi, downstream of Llangorse Eel Trap Duhonw Edw Elan, below Caban Coch Dam Trothi 15 September to 14 March following
Monnow and Lugg 16 June to 14 March following
Section 8 - Use of rods
In all cases where an angler is 12 years of age or older they must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence:
When fishing for salmon, trout and other salmonids:
a separate rod licence is required for each or any rod that is in use;
on rivers, streams, drains and canals no more than one rod and line may be used at the same time;
and on reservoirs, lakes, and ponds no more than two rods and lines may be used at the same time.
When fishing for coarse fish or eels:
up to two rods may be used for each valid rod licence that is held;
and no more than four rods and lines may be used at the same time.
When fishing with more than one rod and line at the same time:
rods must be placed such that the distance between the butts of the end rods does not exceed three metres.
Unattended rods:
a rod must not be left unattended with its bait or hook in the water;
and it must be possible to exercise immediate physical control over any rod and line left with its bait or hook in the water.
Section 9 - Use of lead
The use of lead weights is prohibited with the following exceptions: size 8 lead dust shot (0.06g) and smaller; lead weights of 1oz (28.35g) or more; lead within the construction of lures or weighted flies; and lead within lead-cored lines, swim feeders and self-cocking floats.
Section 10 - Size limits
It is illegal to take fish not reaching the following size limits (measured from tip of the snout to the fork of the tail): Size limit
Salmon 30cm (12”)
Sea trout 23cm (9”)
Brown trout 23cm (9”)
Grayling 20cm (8”)
Rainbow trout No size limit (individual fisheries may impose a limit in their rules)
Coarse fish No size limit (individual fisheries may impose a limit in their rules)
Individual fisheries may impose size limits that are more stringent or prescriptive than those outlined in the byelaws (as above); and undersized fish taken unintentionally must be released alive to the water immediately
Section 12 - Landing nets, keepnets and keepsacks
Landing nets: must not have any knotted meshes or meshes of metallic material.
Keepnets: must not have any knotted meshes or meshes of metallic material; must not have any holes in the mesh larger than 25mm internal circumference; must be at least 2.0m in length; must have supporting rings or frames any more than 40cm apart (excluding the distance from the top frame to the first supporting ring or frame); and must have supporting rings no less than 120cm in circumference.
Keepsacks: must be constructed of a soft, dark coloured, non-abrasive, water permeable fabric; must have dimensions of at least 120cm by 90cm if rectangular, or 150cm by 30cm by 40cm if used with a frame or designed with the intention that a frame be used; and no more than one fish to be retained in a single keepsack at any time.
NB - these byelaws do not apply to keepnets or keepsacks used for retaining eels which have been legally taken by instruments other than rod and line.
Section 13 - Use of a gaff or tailer
The use of a gaff or a tailer is prohibited at all times when fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or freshwater eels.
Section 14 - Removal of fish
No live or dead fish may be removed from any waters within the Agency’s area except legally by rod & line, other than with special written permission obtained in advance from the Environment Agency. On all rivers, streams, drains and canals, any salmon or trout hooked other than in the mouth or throat shall be returned to the water immediately.
Wye Rod Fishing Byelaws
A guide for anglers 2008
This leaflet is a layman’s guide to byelaws made under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, regulating fishing by rod and line within the River Wye area covered by Environment Agency Wales. This leaflet is for guidance only and is not intended to be a legal interpretation of the byelaws.
Section 1 - Open seasons and method restrictions for salmon
Wye downstream of Llanwrthwl Bridge 3 March to 17 October Fly & spin only....3 March to 31 August Fly only........1 September to 17 October
Wye upstream of Llanwrthwl Bridge and all Wye tributaries 3 March to 25 October Fly & spin only…...3 March to 31 August Fly only…....1 September to 25 October
Section 2 - Open seasons and method restrictions for sea trout
Wye Fisheries District - all rivers 20 March to 17 October Fly & spin only…..20 March to 31 August Fly only.........1 September to 17 October
Notes: Interpretation and definitions for Sections 1 & 2
• ‘fly’ refers to unweighted artificial fly of less than 5g in weight;
• groundbait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time;
• maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are not allowed;
• it is recommended that, whenever fishing with the intention of releasing any fish that are caught, either barbless or de-barbed hooks are used.
Catch & release restrictions
Any salmon caught before 16 June must be returned with minimum injury and with minimum delay.
On the tributaries of the River Wye that join the main river below Llanwrthwl Bridge, any salmon or sea trout caught after 17 October must be returned with minimum injury and with minimum delay.
Rewards for tagged salmon and sea trout
Over the past few years we have released thousands of tagged salmon and sea trout into many Welsh rivers. The tag is buried in the nose of the fish - so you will not be able to see it - but to make tagged fish easily identifiable the adipose fin (the small, fleshy lobe on the back between the dorsal fin and the tail) has been removed. This does not harm the fish in any way.
If you catch any salmon or sea trout which has the adipose fin missing, and you intend to keep the fish (remember all salmon caught before 16 June must be released) you should:
call your local Environment Agency office;
give your name, address and telephone number;
give details of the catch (when & where it was caught, and the size & species of fish);
keep the fish (or just the head) - frozen if necessary - and we will contact you to make arrangements for it to be inspected.
We will pay a reward if it carries a tag and, of course, you keep the fish. The information obtained from tagged fish is vital in helping with the assessment of fish stocks, fish movements and the success of our management and stocking activities. These assessments will, in turn, benefit you through the better management of our fish stocks.
Section 3 - Open seasons for non-migratory trout, coarse fish and eels
Species and location Open season dates (inclusive)
Brown trout
Stillwaters (EA Wales) 20 March to 17 October
All rivers in Wye Fisheries District 3 March to 30 September
Rainbow trout
All stillwaters NO CLOSE SEASON
All rivers in Wye Fisheries District3 March to 30 September
Coarse fish
All stillwaters and canals - no close season (except certain SSSIs - see Section 5) NO CLOSE SEASON
All rivers in Wye Fisheries District16 June to 14 March following
Eels
All stillwaters and canals - no close season (except certain SSSIs - see Section 5) NO CLOSE SEASON
All rivers in Wye Fisheries District16 June to 14 March following
Section 5 - Open season for coarse fish and eels on selected canal & stillwater SSSIs
Pl Note that the coarse fish close season has been retained on the following stillwater SSSI sites in the Wye Fisheries District - the open season for coarse fishing on all of the sites listed below is from 16 June to 14 March following (both dates inclusive) Location SSSI grid reference
Berrington Pool; Hereford & Worcestershire SO 509 630
Cwm Gwynllyn, Gwynllyn, Radnorshire SN 945 692
Fforddfawr Mire; North Brecknock and West Dinefwr SO 187 401
Flintsham and Titley Pools; Hereford & Worcestershire SO 318 589 and SO 325 595
Llan Bwch - Llyn Lake; Radnorshire SO 119 464
Moccas Park; Hereford & Worcestershire SO 341 425
Pentrosfa Mire, Pentrosfa Pool; Radnorshire SO 059 597
Section 6 - Use of lures and baits
Use of lures and baits - general
Crayfish - no crayfish, of any species, whether alive or dead, and whether whole or in part, may be used as bait for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels;
Livebaits - livebait may only be used in the water from which it was taken and only during the same period of fishing;
Fish roe - no fish roe, from whatever source, may be used when fishing for salmon, trout or freshwater fish.
Use of lures and baits - salmon & sea trout
Sections 1 & 2 above show the circumstances in which various baits and lures may be used. The use of a float in conjunction with any lure or bait to take salmon or sea trout is not allowed in the Wye Fisheries District.
Use of lures and baits - non-migratory trout, coarse fish and eels
Stillwaters (including canals):
There are no byelaw restrictions on the use of baits in reservoirs, lakes, ponds or canals but fishery owners may impose their own rules.
Rivers - non-migratory trout:
There are no byelaw restrictions on the use of baits in rivers,
EXCEPT:
groundbait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time;
maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are not allowed.
Rivers - coarse fish and eels:
Within season all methods may be used subject to the following conditions:
• in the River Wye and its tributaries upstream of Boughrood Bridge, natural earthworm, prawn or shrimp are not allowed between
30 September and 1 November;
• maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are only allowed in EA Wales as listed below:
River Permitted dates (inclusive) for use of maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae when fishing for coarse fish or eels
Wye Ithon and its tributaries Irfon and its tributaries Marteg Llynfi, downstream of Llangorse Eel Trap Duhonw Edw Elan, below Caban Coch Dam Trothi 15 September to 14 March following
Monnow and Lugg 16 June to 14 March following
Section 8 - Use of rods
In all cases where an angler is 12 years of age or older they must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence:
When fishing for salmon, trout and other salmonids:
a separate rod licence is required for each or any rod that is in use;
on rivers, streams, drains and canals no more than one rod and line may be used at the same time;
and on reservoirs, lakes, and ponds no more than two rods and lines may be used at the same time.
When fishing for coarse fish or eels:
up to two rods may be used for each valid rod licence that is held;
and no more than four rods and lines may be used at the same time.
When fishing with more than one rod and line at the same time:
rods must be placed such that the distance between the butts of the end rods does not exceed three metres.
Unattended rods:
a rod must not be left unattended with its bait or hook in the water;
and it must be possible to exercise immediate physical control over any rod and line left with its bait or hook in the water.
Section 9 - Use of lead
The use of lead weights is prohibited with the following exceptions: size 8 lead dust shot (0.06g) and smaller; lead weights of 1oz (28.35g) or more; lead within the construction of lures or weighted flies; and lead within lead-cored lines, swim feeders and self-cocking floats.
Section 10 - Size limits
It is illegal to take fish not reaching the following size limits (measured from tip of the snout to the fork of the tail): Size limit
Salmon 30cm (12”)
Sea trout 23cm (9”)
Brown trout 23cm (9”)
Grayling 20cm (8”)
Rainbow trout No size limit (individual fisheries may impose a limit in their rules)
Coarse fish No size limit (individual fisheries may impose a limit in their rules)
Individual fisheries may impose size limits that are more stringent or prescriptive than those outlined in the byelaws (as above); and undersized fish taken unintentionally must be released alive to the water immediately
Section 12 - Landing nets, keepnets and keepsacks
Landing nets: must not have any knotted meshes or meshes of metallic material.
Keepnets: must not have any knotted meshes or meshes of metallic material; must not have any holes in the mesh larger than 25mm internal circumference; must be at least 2.0m in length; must have supporting rings or frames any more than 40cm apart (excluding the distance from the top frame to the first supporting ring or frame); and must have supporting rings no less than 120cm in circumference.
Keepsacks: must be constructed of a soft, dark coloured, non-abrasive, water permeable fabric; must have dimensions of at least 120cm by 90cm if rectangular, or 150cm by 30cm by 40cm if used with a frame or designed with the intention that a frame be used; and no more than one fish to be retained in a single keepsack at any time.
NB - these byelaws do not apply to keepnets or keepsacks used for retaining eels which have been legally taken by instruments other than rod and line.
Section 13 - Use of a gaff or tailer
The use of a gaff or a tailer is prohibited at all times when fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or freshwater eels.
Section 14 - Removal of fish
No live or dead fish may be removed from any waters within the Agency’s area except legally by rod & line, other than with special written permission obtained in advance from the Environment Agency. On all rivers, streams, drains and canals, any salmon or trout hooked other than in the mouth or throat shall be returned to the water immediately.