TackleIndex
RiverDay ticketClub water · MembersGuest ticket

Mardy Beat, River Usk

Mardy Beat is a cracking middle-section stretch of the River Usk, run by Merthyr Tydfil Angling Alliance. You get almost 1.5 miles of left-bank fishing, with pools, runs, tree-lined banks and some proper useful groynes up top.

Run by Merthyr Tydfil Angling Alliance · checked 12 Oct 2026

River level

River level integration coming for this stretch.

The lowdown

  • This is a rural-looking beat with a nice mix of water. Pools, runs, tree cover and a bit of structure keep things interesting rather than giving you one flat slog of river.
  • The top third is lined with croys and groynes. They’re mainly used for salmon fishing, so have a good look at the crease and the softer water around each one.
  • The beat fishes from the left-hand bank. Access is available from the top near the A40, or from the lower end via St Peter’s Church at Llanwenarth.
  • Trout are the main attraction here. The holder describes it as a very good trout fishery, with prolific insect hatches helping keep the fish on the munch.
  • March Brown and Grannom hatches are specifically mentioned. Stoneflies and terrestrials are also part of the food mix, so don’t ignore the margins and overhanging cover.
  • With pools and runs to work through, there’s plenty of scope for covering different water. Look for the steadier edges, the tails of pools and the pace changes around the groynes.
  • Salmon fishing is particularly effective when the river is in flood or dropping. Those changing conditions can bring fish into the pools and steadier water.
  • Named fish include brown trout, chub, dace, eel, salmon and sea trout. All migratory fish must be released under the stated NRW byelaw, and killing salmon or sea trout is illegal.
  • MTAA bought the beat in 1987. Fishing has to be booked in advance, and there’s no cheeky turning up at the venue to sort a ticket on the day.

Methods: Fly fishing looks the natural fit for the trout, especially around the March Brown, Grannom, stonefly and terrestrial activity. For salmon, concentrate on the pools, groynes and changing water when the river is in flood or dropping.

Access & tickets

River Usk Mardy weekly permit

Weekly permit, purchased before fishing through the MTAA booking system.

£40 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Adult trout-only guest ticket

Per day. Must be accompanied by a full MTAA member.

£15 per day (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Adult salmon guest ticket

Per day. Must be accompanied by a full MTAA member.

£25 per day (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Book in advance through the Merthyr Tydfil Angling Alliance booking system. MTAA offers weekly permits and guest tickets, with no tickets sold at the venue.

Fish the club names

trout, chub, roach, eel, pike, perch, barbel, catfish, carp, tench, bream, rudd, chub, crucian, zander

Key rules

  • All migratory fish must be released under the stated NRW byelaw.
  • It is illegal to kill salmon or sea trout.
  • Fishing must be booked in advance through the MTAA booking system.
  • Weekly permits and guest tickets must be purchased before fishing.
  • Guest tickets must be accompanied by a full MTAA member.
  • No tickets can be purchased at the venue.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

Community reported

Recent angler updates

No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.

How busy was it?

Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.

No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.

Water updates from anglers

No active water updates.

Help other anglers