Stillwater · Mixed · Mid-Wales / Powys, GB-WLS

Elan Valley (Rhayader)

Claerwen Reservoir with its surrounding mountain ridges reflected in still water.

Elan Valley is more than one reservoir — it's a managed cascade of waters in a spectacular moorland valley, overseen by the Rhayader and Elan Valley Angling Association.

Fair · Rainbow
Booby · 10-12
Fairlive now
Reasonable autumn fishing likely at Elan Valley (Rhayader)
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
61% confidence

Elan Valley (Rhayader) is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindW 16 km/hGentle breeze
Today's fly
Booby
Booby10-12
Washing-line, sub-surface
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Gentle breeze
W 16 km/h
N
W
from the west
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp11.0°C
Air temp12°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1017 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
The buzzer is on at Elan Valley (Rhayader). The ripple should help fish move and feed more confidently.
Where
Start with Cormorant (10-12) — on the bob / top dropper. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
The plan
Plan A

Start with Cormorant (10-12) — on the bob / top dropper. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.

Plan B

If the main plan stalls, drop to a size 14–16 midge — switch to a washing-line or suspender rig and change drift line before you change food group.

Watch for

Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.

Either bank or boat

Good ripple suits both bank and boat. Bank: work inflows, dam walls, and points. Boat: broadside drift covering wind lanes.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.

Start free trial

14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

Start free trial

14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box

Boat-friendly, competition-influenced, often wind-driven, with strong top-of-water periods but also classic deep searching and washing-line phases.

What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
71%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp100%

A good match for Elan Valley (Rhayader) — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.

Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
  1. Claerwen Reservoir with its surrounding mountain ridges reflected in still water.
    Claerwen Reservoir and mountains
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

Elan Valley is more than one reservoir — it's a managed cascade of waters in a spectacular moorland valley, overseen by the Rhayader and Elan Valley Angling Association. Multiple lakes here (Caban Coch, Garreg-ddu, Pen-y-garreg, Claerwen) offer layered fishing from April through October. The limestone and moorland geology produces reliable hatches and fertile food. The valley setting is magnificent — you're fishing some of Wales's most dramatic scenery without sacrificing access. Spring and early summer produce the best sport; autumn can be productive after a build-up of cold nights. This is pilgrimage water for Welsh fly fishers — plan to spend days here, not hours.

  • Reservoir
  • Mixed
Water quality (WFD)
  • EcologyGood
  • ChemicalUnknown

NRW (Wales) · UKGB110064048350

Why this score
  • Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for autumn fishing.
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
  • Reservoirs of this kind fish hard at this time of year.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 15 March5 October
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Boards & regulators