Wye & Usk Foundation Update, 27th September 2005

The dark smudges on the weather radar screens yesterday thankfully proved not to be the meteorological mirages we have become accustomed to this year. Salmon anglers’ antennae should now be twitching at the real possibility of some late-season action. This morning the Usk was up by 18” and running reasonably clear.

The upper Wye has also risen but only by 6” or so and is quite coloured from Buith Wells downstream. Despite the disappointing conditions for salmon fishing over the last few months we are eagerly expecting a healthy dose of rainfall this week and over the weekend. With plenty of fish already moving, upper Wye salmon fishing should be well worthwhile next week!

Please note that both rivers are subject to method restrictions for salmon fishing from now until the end of the season with the Wye being Fly Fishing only and the Usk Fly Fishing and Spinning only. We also plead that every Wye fishermen practises catch & release to protect the river’s spawning stock and that all coloured fish are returned.

If you haven’t caught a salmon yet this season, and you’re in esteemed company, an October jaunt to the riverbank should be well worth your while! Call the usual number – 01982 551 520

More reports of 2lb+ Wye grayling have been arriving with us on an almost daily basis now. Although the latest rainfall has put the Irfon and main river between Builth and Glasbury out of action for a couple of days, the Wye upstream of Builth should still be fishing well. The brown trout season for both rivers ends on Friday of this week – we have rods available should you be able to squeeze one last trout session out of 2005.

Finally, we still have a few places left for our Annual Meeting on Friday 14th October and for the River Walk on Sunday 27th November. If you can attend it would be great to see you there - please see the website for more details: http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/events.htm