Monmouthshire County Council has established a new partnership with three local game angling clubs to manage and control fishing on the Abergavenny Town Water. Merthyr Angling Alliance, Isca Anglers and the Gwent Angling Society have been successful in bidding to manage the stretch on the council’s behalf.
The clubs understand that management of the beat will focus on benefiting future generations and consequently all angling for youngsters under 17 holding a permit will be free of charge. They will also have to possess the relevant environmental fishing licence, currently free for children under 17 years.
New rules for the stretch have been agreed and the most significant is the fishery will work entirely on a catch and release basis for at least the next two years. This will establish and collate evidence of the existing wild trout and salmon populations.
The only methods of fishing permitted will be fly for trout and fly or lure fishing for salmon. Lure fishing for salmon will only be allowed with a single barbless hook to ensure the safe return of any fish caught.
Local and visiting anglers without membership of any of the three clubs can purchase permits to fish. Prices for annual, weekly and daily permits have been revised and reduced and are available at Keith Price Garage in Abergavenny. They will also be available shortly through the Wye and Usk Fishing Passport scheme www.fishingpassport.co.uk.
Development days for those interested in the sport will be arranged with coaching from licenced and qualified angling coaches and instructors.
Councillor Bryan Jones, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for countryside services said: “I look forward to a long and successful partnership with the three clubs to benefit the management of this valuable stretch of one of the country’s finest waters.”
