River Wye · Gloucestershire
Upper Bigsweir
From March · £70 Up to 2 rods
Source: Fishing Passport
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Passport scheme
Check the booking details below before you travel.
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Catch and release
Fish are returned to the water.
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Ghillie available
You can book a ghillie to show you the water.
About Upper Bigsweir
Upper Bigsweir is approximately ¾ mile of left bank fishing on the lower River Wye, a mile downstream of Redbrook and about three miles above Bigsweir. The river runs here through a wooded, steep sided valley, where the Passport says its most prolific salmon fisheries are found. The beat has nine named pools and receives fresh fish from the tide most days, with good fly and spinning water. It starts below the Cadora Pool, with Cadora Tail, and runs down to Digby’s at the bottom boundary.
There is secure, off road parking close to the river, although the hut is kept for private use. There are some croys to fish from in the middle and lower sections, and steps and ladders make getting down to the pools fairly easy. Wading difficulty varies, with some deep wading over a largely gravel bed and the occasional boulder. In lower water, below 750mm on the Redbrook gauge, the top half of the beat can be waded with care.
Salmon are catch and release at all times. Spinning is with single hooks only, and the beat is fly only from 1 June. A resident ghillie is available subject to availability, through the Fishing Passport. It is booked through the Fishing Passport.
How you can fish here
- Wading
- Wading allowed
Pricing and season
Indicative prices. They don't show whether a day is still free and other rates may apply, so confirm availability and the final price with whoever you book through before you travel.
Tickets
These are the 2026 prices. 2027 prices aren't out yet.
- Salmon day ticket Day ticket · 3 Mar to 17 Oct Wye salmon season 3 March to 17 October.
- £70 per day
Day tickets and booking
- The Fishing Passport Day tickets
Day tickets
Salmon full day £70 on the Passport’s beat page on 2 November 2026, up to two tickets a day. Booked through the Fishing Passport.
View fishing agent
Prices by date
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Day rate, hover a day for the ticket
How Upper Bigsweir compares on the River Wye
Typical, lowest and highest full-day rod, from 29 beats with published day rates
typical (median)
cheapest to dearest beat
this beat
Day tickets on the River Wye run from £15 to £70. The typical full-day rate is around £27, peaking in October.
Compare with other riversFishing details
- Rods
- Up to 2
- Length
- 0.75 miles
- Water type
- Main river
Stocking and fish species
Rules and policies
Catch & release
EA rod licence required
Dogs allowed
Ghillie available
Ghillie required
Fishing rules for Upper Bigsweir
Catch and release for salmon at all times. Fly only from 1 June. Spinning with single hooks only. Dogs allowed but must be kept under control at all times. The beat operates a wash-off policy. Professional guides are not permitted to operate on this water. National byelaws apply.
Where you'll fish
Location
Approximate locationExact location is hidden at the owner's request. This beat is on the River Wye.
Conditions on the River Wye
The river
The River Wye is the fourth longest river in the UK. It rises on Plynlimon in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales, only a couple of miles from the source of the Severn, and runs about 155 miles to…
View the River Wye guideFlies for this beat
Expected in November on the River Wye
Typical months from the river’s hatch calendar, which applies along its whole length rather than to this beat. Not a live report.
We get a small commission if you buy through these links, and it costs you nothing extra. If the calendar has been useful and you feel like supporting an independent site, buying your flies this way is an easy way to do it.
Similar beats on the River Wye
FishingBeats is an independent guide with no affiliation to the fisheries we list. Listings are editorial and unpaid, and are not supplied or approved by the fishery. See our listings policy. Listing details are compiled by FishingBeats and may change or contain mistakes. Some services, such as tuition, ghillies, or accommodation, may only apply to certain packages and not to standard day tickets. Always confirm pricing, fishing details, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.
FAQ
Upper Bigsweir FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Upper Bigsweir, from tickets to tactics.
01How many rods are allowed on Upper Bigsweir at any one time?
Upper Bigsweir allows a maximum of 2 rods at any one time.
02What species can I expect to catch on Upper Bigsweir?
Upper Bigsweir holds Salmon. The water is unstocked, relying entirely on the wild population.
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
Wading is permitted on Upper Bigsweir, though bank fishing is also possible on most sections.
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
A ghillie is available on Upper Bigsweir and can be requested through the provider — particularly useful for first-time visitors to the River Wye.
05Where do I park, and how do I access the beat?
Parking details for Upper Bigsweir are shown on the beat page, including a map pin where one is provided. Always confirm access arrangements with the provider when you book.
06What tackle should I bring?
For most chalk stream beats on the River Wye, a 9-foot 4- or 5-weight rod with a floating line is the standard setup. The fly recommendations section on the Upper Bigsweir page suggests the most effective patterns month by month.
07What happens if conditions are poor on the day I've booked?
River conditions can change quickly, especially after rain. Contact the provider as early as possible if you're concerned about Upper Bigsweir — many are happy to offer an alternative date if the river is unfishable. Cancellation and rescheduling policies vary by provider; check the notes on the booking page or ask when you book.
08Are dogs allowed on the beat?
Dogs are welcome on Upper Bigsweir — please keep them under control near the water and respect any local rules shown on the page.
Worth a read
£70 per rod
Out of season, from March
