River Wye – Hereford – Bartonsham

The lowdown

• There’s a cracking mix of water here: deep, slow sections, steady runs and riffles. It isn’t one samey glide from end to end, so the character of the water is worth a look before you settle into a swim.
• Underneath, the bed is a mixture of gravel, silt and clay. Keep that variety in mind when choosing where to fish rather than treating every swim as a clean gravel spot. The stretch has more than one sort of bottom.
• Summer is chiefly about barbel and large chub here. Those are the association’s principal warm-weather targets for Bartonsham, and the river coarse season runs from 16 June to 14 March inclusive. Get those dates bob on before planning a session.
• It’s not just a barbel-and-chub affair. Roach, perch, bleak and dace are present too, while the venue list also includes bream, common carp and pike. A proper mixed line-up, without needing to pin everything on one species.
• For a different approach, brown trout and grayling are named here, with nymph fishing in turbulent water specifically recommended by the association. Salmon also appear on the venue list, and there’s a separate adult salmon day ticket.
• The swims are natural and uneven, with no platforms. This is riverbank fishing rather than a tidy row of prepared pegs. Wet clay can be slippery too, so take your time getting yourself and your kit settled.
• On warm summer days, swimmers can occupy the gravel areas near Outfall Works Road. Bear that in mind if those spots are part of your plan; they aren’t always going to be a quiet place to set up.
• Parking directions point to the riverside on Outfall Works Road. There’s a bollard-code arrangement, with codes in membership books changing annually. Day visitors should check access beforehand and save themselves a bit of faff on arrival.

Methods: For summer coarse fishing, barbel and large chub are the main targets across this varied water. Fancy nymph fishing instead? The association recommends the turbulent water for trout and grayling.

Access & tickets

Get your ticket before heading onto a peg — there are no bank sales. Outlets include Woody’s Angling Centre and Rock’s Angling in Hereford, plus Docklow Tackle and Alan’s Fishing Tackle.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, roach, perch, trout, pike, bream, carp

Key rules

• Buy your ticket before fishing; tickets are not sold on the bank.
• Day tickets are valid from sunrise to sunset only; night fishing is restricted to adult association members.
• Use no more than two rods, and never leave rods unattended.
• Return all fish: the association operates a zero-kill policy.
• Braided hooklinks are prohibited.
• No fishing from bridges or bridge piers.
• No fires or digging into riverbanks; remove your litter and close gates.
• The river coarse season runs from 16 June to 14 March inclusive.

River level

Where it is