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.

Closed season · Rainbow
Booby · 10–12
Closed season
Season reopens 15 March. Try elsewhere.
Closed — confidence not applicable today.

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

What moved it
  • WindSW 34 km/hFresh breeze · Gusts to 57 km/h
Today's fly
Booby
Booby10–12
Washing-line, sub-surface
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Fresh breeze · Gusts to 57 km/h
SW 34 km/h
N
SW
from the south-west
Wave60 cm wave
Water temp11.3°C
Air temp13°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1001 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
Conditions are not ideal but fishable at Elan Valley (Rhayader).
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 gusts make a boat hard to hold — anchor in the lee or fish the sheltered bank.
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. The gusts make a boat hard to hold — anchor in the lee or fish the sheltered bank.

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

Watch for Sedge towards evening — this could be the best window of the day.

Bank, sheltered shores

In wind, bank fish the lee shore — boats can anchor in productive areas if conditions allow.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · October 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.

Buzzer team todayfor the conditions now
Point
Black buzzer, orange thorax
Not in this water's box
#10
How to fish it
Intermediate line · let the breeze drift the team, then hang it 15–30 s

Fly recommendations

Point fly shown — supporters see the whole team, sizes and why.

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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
45%
Cloud50%
Wind30%
Temp60%

Conditions are away from Elan Valley (Rhayader)'s sweet spot — it usually fishes best in ripple wind with cloud skies.

Other water nearby · 5
Llyn Carw
8.0 km
Brown trout
Llynoedd Cerrig Llwyddion
8.0 km
Brown trout
Llyn Gwyn
10 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout · Carp
Llyn Gynon
12 km
Brown trout
Llyn Egnant
12 km
Brown trout
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)
  • Ecology: Good
  • Chemical: Unknown

NRW (Wales) · UKGB110064048350

Why this score
  • Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
  • Reservoirs of this kind fish hard at this time of year.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 15 March → 5 October
Related guides
Big Stillwater Playbookreservoir tacticsReservoir Entomologymatching the hatchThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperature
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Boards & regulators