Spate · Mixed · Mid Wales / Ceredigion

Ystwyth

No photos yet for this water.

A true Cambrian spate river — the Ystwyth rises on Plynlimon and drops to Aberystwyth bay in around 30 miles, much of it through old lead-mining country.

Species

A good day — worth the effort

River steady at a fishable height. A reliable day. Match the water height and fish well.

50% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Ideal
11°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature10030% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
1.09 m
Water temp
10.5°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
18°C
Wind
E 6 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1030 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Late summer through autumn close. The Ystwyth is not a spring salmon river — fish the autumn lifts, 12 to 24 hours after rain.
Where
Lower river pools above the tidal limit. Named lies through the Aberystwyth association beats.
Method
Small doubles 10 to 12 across-and-down on a floating line; small tubes on a sink-tip in spring or coloured water. Fish the named lies in each pool, working systematically before moving on. Mandatory catch-and-release under NRW byelaw — every salmon goes back.
Kit
10 ft #7/8 single-hander or 11 ft switch — small spate scale; double-handers are wasted on these rivers. Floating line plus light sink-tip. 10 to 12 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good conditions. Temperature is favourable (100), Feeding time is weakest (10).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Sea trout runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

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

Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

A true Cambrian spate river — the Ystwyth rises on Plynlimon and drops to Aberystwyth bay in around 30 miles, much of it through old lead-mining country. The Aberystwyth association calls sewin the jewel in the crown here, and they're right. Levels swing dramatically: a low clear ribbon between rocks one afternoon, a thick brown surge the next morning. The trick is timing — be on the river as it drops back into colour, not while it's still rising or after it's cleared.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 April → 17 October
  • Sea trout3 March → 17 October
  • Trout3 March → 30 September

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026) — The Ystwyth is one of the more reliable Welsh sewin rivers in the right water, with a strong local association tradition. All-Wales At Risk classification applies; the river's dramatic level swings make it almost entirely condition-driven.

Other water nearby · 5