…‘one of the best trout streams in south Britain’… The Field 1904
Background
Historically the Monnow and her tributaries were an important destination for fishermen, who as recently as 30 years ago, would be making their way from the southern counties and the Midlands to enjoy high quality trout and grayling fishing, particularly during the prolific mayfly hatches at the end of May and the beginning of June.
Large numbers of these visiting anglers stayed in local hotels; indeed, the quality and abundance of the trout on the river Honddu (a Monnow tributary) attracted so many anglers that the historic Llanthony Abbey Hotel’s main source of business during the spring and summer was visiting fishermen, even up to twenty years ago. Their catch records show rods catching up to one hundred trout each for the week. Perhaps one of the most dramatic illustrations of the productivity of the Monnow lays in the detailed diaries of the Rev. E N Eagles, the vicar of Longtown and Clodock, who during 20 years at the end of the last century recorded 18,000 trout from the upper tributaries to his own rod.
Beats are currently available to fish on a day ticket from the Wye & Usk Foundation’s passport initiative. Details here: https://www.fishingpassport.co.uk/fishing/ws-monnow
Occasionally vacancies occur in one of the various syndicates in the catchment. To register your interest in future opportunities email fishing@monnow.org
