Upper Towy Fishing above Llandovery

River level

The lowdown

• This is classic upper Towy country. The river tightens up above Llandovery and winds through some cracking rock-faced gorges.
• There’s over seven miles of upper-water fishing, with at least half of it double bank. That gives you a fair bit of water to explore.
• Access is described as easy from the Llandovery–Rhandirmwyn road, although visiting anglers don’t get vehicular access down to the river itself.
• The big draw is the deep holding water. Dolauhirion, Tairheol and Divlyn are all named pools with long-standing reputations for salmon and sewin.
• Expect proper depth in places, with ledges, channels and gravel-bottomed sections. Fish the crease and the softer edges rather than just charging into the main flow.
• Fresh-run grilse and sewin to around 10 lb can show. Sewin may turn up from May, with July and August reported as the more numerous months.
• The back end of the season offers better salmon opportunities. Earlier on, keep an eye on pool tails and gravel runs for brown trout.
• Fly fishing is specifically suited to the trout water, while running worm and spinning are also listed for the upper river. A bit of colour could make the deeper pools very interesting.
• Large pike are also reported from the deep pools, so there’s a cheeky bonus target if you fancy changing gear.
• The newly acquired water at Bwlchnewydd, Rhandirmwyn is also part of the association’s fishing, so check the maps for the exact boundaries and access points before setting off.

Methods: A versatile bit of river: run a worm, spin the deeper pools or work a fly through the pool tails and gravel runs. For trout, concentrate on the tails and glides; for sewin and grilse, cover the deeper channels and ledges.

Access & tickets

Permits are available from Castle Hotel Llandovery, Llandovery Rugby Club Caravan Park and other listed local outlets. The holder provides maps showing access, boundaries and parking information.

Fish the club names

trout, pike

Key rules

• Visiting anglers have no vehicular access to the river on the association’s waters.
• Fishing is subject to the NRW bye-laws published for the fishery.
• Daily permits cover sewin and brown trout throughout the association waters.
• Upper-water-only permits are available where applicable.
• Guests are welcome, with day and weekly tickets available from listed local outlets.

Where it is