The CABALVA FISHERY

The Cabalva stretch of the River Wye is unique in the fact it has never been open to day tickets and to this day maintains its exclusivity for guests staying on the Estate and our Fishery Management team at Angling Escapades, who offer a guiding service on the whole fishery.  Indeed, it is only in recent years that fishing has taken place again after being stopped in the 1990s for conservation reasons.

This means that, as the barbel population of the whole River Wye has increased year on year, they have done so at Cabalva without any angling pressure. There’s still a very good chance that any fish you catch here, will have never been caught before.

At just under 2 miles in length this expansive stretch in the beautiful Wye valley varies massively throughout its length. There are numerous classic salmon pools where the water changes from fast shallow glides, to deeper rocky pools. Classic salmon water, but perfect for these wild Wye barbel to live in.

At the top end of the fishery the River is at its widest point. Changes in flows give perfect fishing whatever the height. Fast shallow oxygenated water in the warmer months, but when the floods arrive some very calm back waters appear, meaning that Cabalva can be fished for certain species at any height. The same can be said of the bottom end of the fishery in front of Mill Cottage where a classic salmon pool offers a pacey current for the barbel to thrive, but a big backwater where all species frequent, including a shoal of chub and some big pike.

Something for everyone

With regards to species, Cabalva has something for everyone. In the summer months, as well as the extensive chub and Barbel shoals, the river is alive with smaller chub and dace. If you’re a float angler, bites can be guaranteed all day with simple trotting tactics.

As the weather turns colder through the Autumn and winter then big pike become a viable target. The unspoilt bankside vegetation and trees offer perfect habitats for some huge pike to ambush their pray. Pike over 20lb have been caught here, but with such a long, unexplored stretch of water, there’s always the chance of a magical 30lb pike.

Although the colder months may see some of the smaller fish disappear to their winter haunts, the float fishing is still red hot. This part of the river is renowned for it’s winter grayling sport and trotting with a centre pin and a few maggots will regularly catch grayling upwards of 2lbs.

As prolific as the coarse fishing is, the water at Cabalva is traditionally game water. Although Wye salmon stocks are a shadow of their former selves, the pools still hold salmon. From March onwards there’s a good chance of big Wye Springer. Throughout the summer and towards the end of the season in October, most pools will hold late fish waiting to complete their journey upriver. The varied nature of the salmon pools means there is water equally suited to Fly or spinning, but with so much easy wading, the pools are a fly fishers dream. As ever with Wye salmon, being adaptable to conditions will give anglers the very best chance.

The River here has a big head of wild brown trout and these can be targeted on a variety of fly techniques including nymphing and drys.

All in all, Cabalva is still massively underfished. There’s something for everyone all year round, and fishing here is still a journey into the unknown.

If you’re a little unsure about Wye tactics or don’t have the necessary equipment, we have collaborated with all round Wye expert, Dave Roberts and his Angling Escapades guiding service. Guided days at Cabalva can be purchased through Angling Escapades. For more information visit www.anglingescapades.com