WE LOVE THE RIVERS!
Find yourself the perfect spot on a stretch near you, with the UK’s best venue guide
THE meandering River Wye needs little introduction as being one of the best locations in the country for early season barbel and chub sport.
Two stretches that have the features and potential to keep that rod-tip going over time after time are Thomas Wood and Home Fisheries – located in Welsh Bicknor, Herefordshire.
In the heart of the Wye Valley on a private estate, the stretches together amount to around two miles of stunning landscape coupled with some of the best river coarse fishing in the land.
Having been left largely untamed and run as a wild fishery for a number of years, Thomas Wood and Home have benefited significally from new management in 2018. A complete overhaul of both stretches has taken place, with new swims, bank clearance and – best of all – vehicle access through an exclusive private estate with bankside parking.
Reaching this amazing Wye Valley stretch once entailed a 20-minute walk but it is now accessible to your vehicle, and you’ll be able to drop your gear right at your swim – an added bonus, considering the sheer amount of water that can be covered in a single day here. Thomas Wood has a wealth of cribs and pools with a shallower section located in the middle.
If you park right at the top end and walk through the trees to the left, you’ll encounter a number of cribs that can be easily fished from. The slack water created by these features allows for some fantastic fishing on the feeder – with a number of barbel or chub guaranteed when you introduce a fresh helping of pellet or hemp.
In the middle of the Thomas Wood stretch and at the limit of the Home stretch you’ll encounter some enticing shallow water – and on a clear day it’s possible to see the barbel and chub here flutter in and out of the flow in search of food.
Floatfishing or touch-legering with luncheon meat works incredibly well in these areas and often produces the best sport when the river is at its lowest.
There just aren’t enough words to describe how good these two stretches are.
Why not discover them for yourself? Pick up the phone, book yourself on and enjoy what the wonderful Wye has to offer at Thomas Wood and Home Fisheries.
PRICES: Thomas Wood Fishery: £23 a day adults, £52.50 adult and junior combined, evening ticket (5pm onwards) £11.50, Home Fishery: £20 a day. Bookable through Peter or via the Fishing Passport website
CONTACT: Peter John Jackson on 07927 583076 or visit www.fishingpassport.co.uk/fishing/lower-wye LOCATION: HR9 6JJ (closest). The postcode is for WHA Valley Hostel, but access to Thomas Wood and Home Fisheries is down the far-left track by the entrance to the hostel. Please follow signage to the river once down the track FACILITIES: Bankside parking