Welsh Grayling Cup – River Rhymney

An all-new fly fishing competition is being held on the river Rhymney, South Wales, across two days on the weekend of 27th and 28th January 2024.

The ‘Evolution Angling Welsh Grayling Cup‘ is being organised by Nathan Gittings and Kyle Cheshire, both of whom help run the Royal Oak Angling Club water on the river and compete for Wales, as part of the World’s Team. The competition has attracted 40 anglers from 6 countries and will partially act as a fundraiser for the World’s Team.

The Rhymney is an example of one of the many fantastic grayling rivers we have in Wales, this now prolific venue was for many years regarded as one of the most polluted waterways in Europe. With improving water quality, the size and numbers of grayling found in this small river now rival some of the best rivers in Europe, with fish to 50cm plus regularly caught.

The event will take place on Royal Oak Angling Club water and Caerphilly & District Angling Association water, a combined stretch of nearly 5 miles, that will be pegged for the competitors. Both clubs have managed the river for many years now, providing access at very affordable rates, and have seen the fishing improve year on year.

The competition will be run with strict conservation measures in-mind, for example barbless hooks will be mandatory and only the first fish will be measured, with subsequent captures kept in the net and immediately released. There will also be a 5 day rest period before the event starts, where the competitors will not be able to practice on the competition water.

There will be temporary closures affecting certain stretches of the river Rhymney on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of January.

Caerphilly & District Angling Association:

Draethen – From the iron bridge up to the stone road bridge.
Machen – From the corner of the cricket field up to the upper limit of the beat.
Bedwas – From just above the weir to the rugby club.

Royal Oak Angling Club:

Llanbradach – A469 fly over crossing, downstream to the bottom end of Toby Carvery meadow.
Llanbradach – From bend in the river at Glyn Bedw Terrace, downstream and under the road crossing, then for 100m further downriver, to where the Nantowen stream enters the river.

The event is a fantastic testament to the recovery of this gem of a Welsh river, showcasing the quality of fishing available throughout Wales.

We wish all competitors ‘Pob Lwc’ – Good Luck!

UPDATE: Final results table below, with a run-down on our ‘game fishing reports‘ page for January 2024.