Afon Irfon (the River Irfon) is a river in Powys, Wales. It flows from the upper slopes of Bryn Garw in the Cambrian Mountains, through the Abergwesyn Valley, past the Nant Irfon National Nature Reserve in the hills above the village of Abergwesyn, and through Llanwrtyd Wells to its confluence with the River Wye at Builth Wells. The source of the Irfon is in the so-called ‘Desert of Wales’.
Afon Irfon is the listed name of the Site of Special Scientific Interest in the upper reaches of the river Irfon Powys, Wales.
Trout and Grayling
The club offers members and day-ticket holders good wild fly fishing for chub, brown trout and grayling on the Irfon. The fishing stretches from the confluence of the Irfon and Wye at the Aber Pool up to the head of Black Pool. The next stretch is privately-owned, but club fishing resumes from the top of the Caer Beris Chalet Park downstream, through the Larder Pool and on to the marker just before the end of the run below the Larder Pool.
Beginning where the Irfon meets the Wye, from The Aber Pool to the first bridge on the Irfon the water is not deep. It is best fished on dull days when there is a little colour in the water. Because of the overhanging trees wading is necessary. There is usually a shoal of big chub (in the four to five pounds bracket) lying just below the first shallow run below the bridge. If they are there they will be quite visible from the bank. Chub are notoriously shy fish, but worth looking for, if only to see what you may hook. Common sense dictates that you do NOT wade this stretch in high water because of its proximity to deep, dangerous water on the Wye.
From the bridge up to the main road bridge the water can be fished from the bank. Again, it is best fished on a dull day and/or when the water is slightly coloured. It is worth emphasizing that the fish are wild and easily spooked – especially if they are lying in shallow water – and they will see you and be away long before you see them. Coloured water gives you the best chance of sneaking a fly past their noses.
From the road bridge up to the head of Black Pool the trout fishing is good. It can be exceptional in September, when fish from the Wye move upstream in readiness for spawning. Again, wading is necessary. You cannot wade Black Pool itself – in its deepest part it is fifteen feet deep.
We have excellent trout, grayling and chub fishing on the Irfon at Caer Beris Chalet Park. Drive into the Park and follow the road down to the river. Please be sure to stick to the speed restriction. You will see a swing bridge on your right, and a car park just beyond. The club have two designated car parking spaces in this car park.
Wading is necessary to fish above the Larder Pool. The Pool itself can be fished from the bank, as can the run below. Salmon are caught in the Larder Pool, but they are becoming increasingly rare throughout the Wye catchment.
Enjoy fishing the Irfon. The Club stretch is largely unspoilt, and certainly lightly-fished. When wading in May and in the first half of June look out for shad, a herring-like fish which migrate into fresh water to spawn. They run the Wye to just above Builth Wells. Some turn left and run the Irfon up to the Black Pool. If caught these fish must be returned unharmed. If you are wading shallow water and a shoal swims past you they will swim over your boots and between your legs – having a shoal of wild fish which average two pounds swim around you is an exciting event in its own right!
And look out for the sea lamprey. These fish also run from the sea as far as the Irfon to spawn.
They are substantial, eel-like fish. When excavating a nest they can be seen moving quite large stones with their mouths. Look for them in the river (careful not to stand on one), or from either bridge looking down. May, June and July are the best months to go lamprey-spotting.
A word about the Irfon trout.
The Irfon is not stocked, although some stockies from the club annual Wye stockings will make their way upstream. Most of the fish, though, are wild. Historically, written reports from the 1930’s mention big Irfon trout, and these are still hooked, but not necessarily landed, every year. They include fish over four pounds – a fly-caught wild brown trout of this size is a once-in-a-lifetime specimen. If you are fortunate enough to catch a large Irfon trout, please ensure it goes back safely, to enable it to spawn and reproduce.
Salmon
Salmon can be caught from June onward in high water, especially at the Larder Pool. Try a fly in the run down into the pool.