Brown Trout in the Beacons - Fly fishing a reservoir in Wales on opening day - Early season tips

We join Osprey Fly Fishing Association member John Phillips on the banks of the Beacons Reservoir, on the opening day of the season. The fishing is for wild brown trout, using early season tactics. The reservoir has easy access, with day and season ticket options available.
#fishinginwales #flyfishing #troutfishing #wales

[@daverichards6557]

What a beautiful reservoir. Such beautiful fish. A lovely advert for Wales and fishing.

[@FishingInWales]

Thanks Dave!

[@capturedonline]

Great video, well done all! 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@FishingInWales]

Cheers Lyn :)

[@JackAcid]

Nothing like a wild Welsh Brownie. Absolutely beautiful fish. For smaller wild fish such as these what would you consider a suitable size for the table?

[@cerithomas5465]

Around a pound I suppose is a good table size. However, Beacons is run as catch & release fishery on the Fishing Passport day ticket, as are many of the wild, unstocked lakes locally. Vast majority of anglers will return wild fish. If you are looking for trout to eat, I'd suggest a venue with stocked rainbow trout, such as Usk reservoir or Llwyn-on.

[@robertjarman933]

Do you stock it with rainbows at all now.I joined your club one year for the grayling on the taff and you were stocking the beacons with rainbows then.

[@cerithomas5465]

Beacons hasn't been stocked with rainbows for over 10 years, it's run as a self sustained wild trout venue, catch and release.

[@simonartley1645]

Fine looking browns with excellent markings...a joy to catch
Good start to 2024..
Safe wading
Simon Artley
Manchester

[@FishingInWales]

Thank you Simon, a good start despite the weather!

[@simonartley1645]

@@FishingInWales
What patterns do you use..eg any Welsh traditionals?

[@FishingInWales]

@@simonartley1645 coch y bonddu, black pennel, zulu, red tag, black spider, kate Mclaren all wet flies such as these will work.

[@simonartley1645]

@@FishingInWales ..
Ah yes of course all very dependable...
and in my box, usually used in Scottish highland lochans .
A trip to your area seems a interesting option.

[@Riich87]

As a newbie to fly fishing , I’m gonna start on my local rivers what are the 3 main things il need?

[@FishingInWales]

For starting river fly fishing, have a read of this guide on our site: fishingwales.net/beginners-guide/river-fly-fishing-for-beginners-10-top-tips/

[@j..w443]

Great video! Do you recommend wearing thigh or chest waders at this venue along with other wild brown trout lakes and streams (Ebbw, Sir Howy), in South East Wales? As a newbie to wild fishing and quite heavy handed (eek) which wader manufacturers & materials would you suggest I start out with? Thank you.

[@alanparfitt3731]

Chest waders will cover most situations though on many mountains lakes you do not need to wade very far and thigh waders are full adequate. I use these more often than chest waders and you can sometimes even fish in boots or wellies as there is no need to wade. The important thing is cast and walk to cover the water. In rivers you are probably better in Chest waders as they allow you to frequently wade cross the river to get the best casting positions as you progress upstream.