Catch and release of salmon and sea trout (sewin) is one of the ways anglers can support the preservation of fish stocks.
Until 2020 season it was done on a voluntary basis for salmon and sea trout, but now it is compulsory – Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has introduced new fishing byelaws.
The fishing byelaws cover all types of inland fish and include the following topics:
- When, what and where you can fish,
- Using lures and baits,
- Using rods and lead,
- Using landing nets, keep nets, keepsacks, gaffs and tailers,
- Minimum fish size and catch limits, and
- Other fishing related matters, such as planning ahead.
The river Usk has specific bylaws that relate to fishing on the river Usk.
Key Points
Below is a summary of some of the key points for the river Usk:
Seasons | Hooks | UFA's Position on Fishing Practices
Seasons
Salmon
| Season dates Catch & Release (C&R) |
Fly | Spinning | Permitted baits |
|
3 March – 17 October inclusive |
All season | 1 June – 17 October | 1 – 15 September (shrimp and prawn only) |
Sea trout (sewin)
| Season dates Catch & Release (C&R) |
Fly | Spinning | Permitted baits |
|
20 March – 17 October inclusive C&R prior to 1 May ANDany less than 23 cm or greater than 60 cm all season |
All season | 1 June – 17 October | 1 – 15 September (see permitted bait details on NRW website) |
Brown trout and arctic charr
| Season dates Catch & Release (C&R) |
Fly | Spinning | Permitted baits |
|
3 March – 30 September inclusive C&R all trout less than 23 cm |
Never | 1 June – 17 October | On river Usk, natural earthworm only, all season |
Coarse fish
| Season dates Catch & Release (C&R) |
Fly | Spinning | Permitted baits |
|
16 June – 14 March following |
All season | All season |
See permitted bait details on NRW website. * |
|
* On river Usk and tributaries, maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae can only be used:
|
Eels
| Season dates Catch & Release (C&R) |
Fly | Spinning | Permitted baits |
|
On river Usk below George Street bridge, Newport no close season; Above said bridge 16 June – 14 March following |
All season | 1 June – 17 October | 1 – 15 September (shrimp and prawn only) |
|
* On river Usk and tributaries, maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae can only be used:
|
Hooks
Salmon - Hooks
| Barbs | Lure | Number |
| ALL barbless or de-barbed | Fly (unweighted artificial fly of less than 5 gm in weight) |
Hook gape greater than 7mm, hooks are restricted to singles or doubles Hook gape 7 mm or less, hooks are restricted to a maximum of two hooks with a total of four points between them Trebles up to 7 mm gape (approx. size 8) |
| ALL barbless or de-barbed |
Spinners, spoon, plugs |
Can only use single hooks with max gape of 13 mm: can use a maximum of 3 singles hooks on a plug, each with a gape of 13mm or less |
| ALL barbless or de-barbed | Shrimp and prawn | Single small treble hook with gape less than 7 mm |
Sea Trout - Hooks
| Barbs | Lure | Number |
| ALL barbless or de-barbed | Fly (unweighted artificial fly of less than 5 gm in weight) |
Trebles up to 7 mm gape (approx. size 8): for tandem and ‘secret’ weapon type flies see Byelaws |
| ALL barbless or de-barbed |
Spinners, spoon, plugs |
Can only use single hooks with max gape of 13 mm: can use a maximum of 3 singles on a plug |
| ALL barbless or de-barbed | Worm | Small hook gape size of 8 mm and a single worm |
Sea Trout - Hooks
| Fish | Hooks |
| Brown trout, coarse fish and eels |
“Only one hook is allowed with lures and bait unless the gape of the hook (measured from the shank to the point) does not exceed 10mm (0.375 inch) with the exception that the gape of hooks attached to a plug bait may be up to 13mm (0.5 inch) and the plug is used without any weight. In no case shall any bait or lure have more than nine hooks and no weight or sinker can be attached below the lure or bait.” Direct from bye laws |
REMEMBER:
If you are in doubt, what is written in the byelaws overrides anything written here.
PLEASE READ:
The ‘How to PractiseCatch and Release’ information which includes the best way to releasing salmon back into the water.
UFA’s Position on Fishing Practices
UFA members took the exceptional and remarkable precedence to introduce a range of voluntary measures to try and safe guard and enhance migratory fish stocks within the catchment. These were agreed at the 2014 AGM.
There are still extra voluntary measures, which fall outside the new byelaws. UFA continues to support these extra voluntary measures. These are:
- No worming
- Spinning only in high water
- No treble hooks
- Single barbless hooks on fly and bait
- Size 10 hooks or smaller for bait
- Use of catch and release nets (less damage to released fish).
These measures introduced voluntarily by the Association are unique in Wales. Owners, clubs and associations will put these measures in place. It is hoped that Welsh Government and NRW will deal with the other key issues quickly and effectively to safeguard the river environment and the hundreds of jobs in the river catchment.
The vote was unanimous with particular emphasis that the River Usk and its tributaries is a vital economic tool for rural development and sustainability. Without a strong and vibrant habitat, many businesses including B&B’s, hotels, guides and ghillies would suffer. Fish stocks are depleting rapidly and measures need to be taken.
The Chairman
The Estate Office
Glanusk Park
Crickhowell
Powys
NP8 1LP
Tel. 01873 810414
Email. info@uskfishing.org