River Wye

Introduction

With over a mile of fishing on the renowned River Wye, Belmont is the ideal location for your next fishing trip.

Our fishing guide is published here. Since the guide was written a number of the pegs have changed, and we cannot guarantee that a specific 'peg' will be available, nor can we 'book' specific pegs. The guide is currently being updated, and is published here to give a flavour of the River Wye at Belmont.

The Wye at Belmont

The renowned Wye Championships have frequently been won on the Belmont water; other matches have been won with almost one hundred pounds of fish – and individual pleasure catches have been even bigger. In 2007 the record for the most pounds of fish in a day was broken on the stretch of river near Belmont.

For the angler seeking the fish of a lifetime Belmont has been the scene of some superb catches. Recently a twenty eight pound Pike was weighed in by an angler fishing a sprat, sink & draw, and two Roach over the magical two pound mark featured in a bag of forty pounds of prime Roach caught as this guide was being prepared.

The writer weighed in a Barbel of eleven pounds thirteen ounces from a stretch close to Belmont, and this species, a comparative newcomer to the Wye, is now to be found throughout the River. Many people feel that it is the Wye at Hereford that could produce a new British Record Barbel.

5lb 10oz Chub March 2002

The River at Belmont Lodge and Golf has been carefully pegged to provide every conceivable type of swim throughout the season; some fishing better in the low Summer (S) conditions 0-1m whilst others thrive on the high water of Winter (W) 1-1.5m. (All references to depth in the text are at Summer levels unless otherwise stated.) It should be noted, however, that when high water occurs in Summer and Autumn, when water temperature is still fairly high, most of the large shoals of fish remain in the fast water.

Other advantages include good parking, changing rooms, showers, Restaurant and of course the Bar, plus accommodation in the Lodge. Please feel free to take advantage of these amenities.

River Wye

A brief description of each peg

1 (S) Situated just below the top boundary fence, between two Willows. Gravel bottom close in, red stone from about three rod lengths out, with a channel mid River three to four feet deep. Excellent Chub and Dace swim close in on high water.

2 (S) The top boundary swim, thirty five yards down from the fence and immediately below a Willow bush; there is a streamer weed above and below the peg. At Summer levels, there is a gully, some three to four feet deep mid River, again gravel bottom.

3 (S) In the Willow Beds, directly opposite a spring on the far bank. This swim is a uniform two or three feet deep at Summer level and has produced some good bags of fish trotting between the channels of weeds.

4 (S) This swim is also in the Willow Beds and access is by the telegraph pole. The near bank shallows are ideal for trotting in traditional style for the lady of the stream, the beautiful Grayling, and there is also a mid River gully between the beds of streamer weed.

5 (S&W) Immediately below the large Alder, this is the start of the famous Pear Tree pool. The near bank silt drops away quickly to four feet under the Willow bush. Mid River is five feet even bottom gravel, ideal for fishing balsa and bread and large shoals of Chub gather just off the crease close in on high water.

6 (S&W) Some large catches of Chub have come from this swim. The even gravel bottom is some four feet deep running down to the large Willow, and the raft formed by overhanging branches is an obvious holding area.

7 (S&W) Just below the large Willow, the gravel bottom runs steadily at some four to five feet, one rod length out. With extra water running, look for the crease and that is where the Chub will be! Five feet of steady water in midstream at Summer levels and silt bottom close in; Chub and Dace main feature.

8 (W) Again gravel bottom runs steadily at some four to five feet, one rod length out. Water mid River gradually getting deeper now.

9 (W) Below the single Willow bush the pool is now beginning to deepen as it runs downstream. Reed fringed in Summer, shoals of Roach take up residence in the Autumn and Winter. Five feet deep under the rod tip shelving down to six feet mid River.

10 (W) A nice open, steady stretch of River, with the water gradually dropping away from five to six feet under the rod. With an extra foot or so in mid River there is also a deeper rock gully in the far quarter of the River.

11 (W) Just above the single Willow bush there is almost seven feet of water, and usually in residence is a large Pike. A noted Roach swim with eight feet of water one third of the way across and even deeper water towards the far bank.

12 (S&W) Just below the Willow bush. Chub being the main feature here coming from under the Willow bush at the tail of the swim, with eight feet of water this is also a prime Roach swim in Winter.

13 (W) A very small peg, a favourite with Pike Anglers – many Pike caught here to 28lb. Many Chub also caught here with several Roach in Winter on hemp and tares.

14 (W) A favourite swim for the regulars. With five feet of water near bank, the water shallows quickly to just three feet below the Willow bush. The protruding bank creates an excellent high water slack.

15 (S) The legendary Billy Lane developed a match winning float called the “Trent Trotter”, specifically for long trotting shallow swims over long distances. This swim is made for just such a float, being six to twelve inches deep, and full of fish. Fish from island for best results, but waders required to reach it. Deep channel under far bank.

16 (W) In the Alders, this peg often produces fish from right under the bank, which is undercut. There are some heavy snags right under the fishing position, and the resident Chub know them all, but there is four feet of clear water further out. A difficult peg to fish but can be very rewarding.

17 (W) After the row of Alders, the water deepens as it drops into the Belmont Pool. There is five feet of water one rod length out and then almost six feet down towards the Willow bush. Excellent bags of Chub with Barbel to 10lb showing recently, also producing the occasional Salmon.

18 (S&W) With six feet on the inside there is a superb slack created when there is an extra foot or two of water. Fishing the stick float and caster or quivertipping bread flake are typical methods that have accounted for big Roach on this peg. Large feeder for Chub and Barbel.

19 (S&W) Even with four feet of extra water, this spot still fishes well. The Summer weed beds on the inside die back to leave a seven foot trot along the crease. There are some underwater rocks supporting the bank close in.

20 (S&W) Another excellent Roach swim, there is eight feet of water under the rod and nine feet two rods length out. Water levels permitting, one successful method is to trot a bait down the crease, sometimes requiring the use of a sliding float. Large Barbel and Shoal Chub from this swim with 100lb bags not uncommon.

21 (S&W) This is probably the last deep water peg towards the end of the Belmont Pool and good bags of fish have been taken using the float to hold a bait back as the River bed gradually shelves up. There is eight feet of water under the rod tip and nine to ten feet further out. Again Chub and Barbel being the main feature.

22 By the pipe outflow, opposite the stile on the far bank, the pace of the River is now picking up as the bed shallows. There is still some six feet of water close in and clumps of streamer weed are starting to show. Good Dace on the stick float, Chub and Barbel with the feeder.

23 (S) River starting to shallow here, with streamer weed close in but still six to seven feet of water mid River, large bags caught fast off the Willow bush at tail of this swim on high water.

24 (S) Situated just behind the 15th Tee, there is streamer weed covering the River bed two or three rod lengths out. Towards the middle there is four to five feet of pacy water at Summer level.

25 (S) The swim by the Golfers Hut. Streamy water below the peg with plenty of weed. Good Summer catches are taken by anglers fishing mid River and drawing the fish down below the weed bed to the steadier water. Wading and freeline fishing can produce large bags of Chub and Barbel in Summer.

26 (S) Fast and shallow water at Summer levels, the depth is to be found in mid River. The peg is opposite the far bank ditch, and just below the fishing position is a protruding mound of bank which creates some cover when a little extra water is on.

27 (S) Just behind protruding mound, again shallow water with good results from mid River trotting. The crease and backwater closer in producing good bags on high water, particularly in the Summer months.

28 (S) There is a Salmon Croy by this peg which allows some deceptively slack water close to the near bank when the River is running higher than Summer level.

29 (S) Shallow, gravel bottom; fish found between weed. High water in Summer for best results.

30 (S) This peg is located opposite the far bank ditch and is a fast and shallow piece of water at Summer levels. There is a mid River channel surrounded by streamer weed and good shoals of Chub are to be found tight amongst this weed when the water is at Summer and Autumn temperatures.

31 (S) Again a fast shallow peg with streamer weed. Several Chub caught from under the bushes on the far bank.

32 (S) The channel is starting to deepen at this point, with the depth two thirds of the way across. The water is fast and streamy with emergent weed stretching halfway across the River. With nearside slab rock base this swim is ideal for wading to trot the far side in Summer time.

33 (S) With the water now getting deeper on the far bank, large shoals of Chub accumulate under the tree off the far bank.

34 (S) This is an even deeper nearside gravel bed. However, some ten yards downstream and about one third of the way across the River a diagonal shelf drops away to about six feet of water. This water is still at Summer levels, but with water on, the ability to fish this feature has resulted in some very large bags of fish.

35 (S&W)With a steady nearside stretch of gravel the water drops away to about nine feet in mid River. This is the top end of the famous Warham Steps Pool and many good bags of fish have been recorded from this peg over the years.

36 (S&W) A very small peg producing several Chub and Barbel, but mainly favoured by the Pike Angler.

37 (S&W) There is nine feet of water directly under the rod tip on this peg, and the usual way to fish is upstream with the flow of water. There are some huge Chub in this area and some big submerged tree trunks which can cause problems. That is why the Chub are there.

38 (S&W) Another deep, even depth swim, at the tail of the eddy. This means that the direction of the current can alternate every few minutes when the water is at a certain height. Care is needed with feeding if the fish are to be held in the swim. There is a large stump some ten yards downstream and this is one of the best Pike swims on the stretch.

39 (S&W) With a nice steady nine feet of water close in, the water can still tend to change direction under some conditions. An ideal swim for stick float enthusiasts who like big Roach. Heavy Chub are never far away either and they must be kept from under the bank.

40 (S&W) With the stream now starting to move positively downstream this is another noted Roach Swim. There is nine feet of water under the rod but the gravel bed is cleaner than the deep water pegs above.

41 (S&W) Another excellent stick float swim at the right height. Many anglers fish a sliding float when the River is running high in order to get the most effective presentation of the bait. This is the last of the swims that offers nine feet of water running downstream.

42 (S&W) After a long even deep stretch of water upstream, the River bed is now starting to rise. There is some eight feet of water under the rod tip rising to seven feet ten yards downstream.

43 (S&W) Comparatively shallow water at Summer level, with only three feet of water one rod length out. The bed is still gravel but there are now more logs, snags and debris close in. Fish at least one or two rod lengths out and don’t let the Chub get their heads down!

44 (S&W) A nice medium depth swim with gravel bed and occasional patches of streamer weed. Some good Chub taken fishing a bait close to the bush.

45 (S&W) A nice medium depth swim with gravel bed and occasional patches of streamer weed. Some good Chub have been taken fishing a bait close to the bush right under the Willow, which is the first significant amount of near bank cover for some distance.

46 (S&W) When the water level starts to rise this is a pacy swim. There is a depth of approximately six feet, with deeper channels towards the middle of the River. Streamer weed is more in evidence and there is good near bank cover. The overhanging Willow holding good bags of Chub.

47 (S&W) With some fairly large nearside rocks making most of the River bed, this swim is best fished mid River, where the bed is cleaner. The River is starting to become more shallow and streamy at this point but there is still six feet of water midway across.

48 (S&W) This peg is the last of the swims adjacent to the Golf Course. The River bed is rocky and uneven and best results are usually to be obtained fishing well over.

Total Pegs

Summer - 40
Winter - 30

Prices

Please see the Lodge Rates page for details of Fishing Breaks including accommodation in the Lodge.

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