Best places to go for a fishing break in Wales

Fishing in Wales is a fantastic way to make the most of UK weekend breaks, with the country offering a variety of options for anglers of all types - so why not consider Wales for your next short holiday if you have a passion for the pursuit?

Whether you are hoping to land game fish, coarse fish or sea fish, you will not be disappointed with the number of places where you can pursue your hobby.

If your speciality is game fishing, for example, there are plenty of rivers across Wales that will keep you occupied during your UK family holiday short break.

Game fish include salmon, char and trout, with more than half of the sea trout caught across England and Wales coming from Welsh rivers.

There is such a wide variety of choices for game fishing spots in the country that it can often be more difficult picking somewhere than actually catching fish!

Wild brown trout are particularly abundant throughout Wales, regardless of whether you are fishing in the country's largest and most famous rivers or even in its small brooks and secluded streams.

You should be able to find these freshwater fish in the nation's lowland and highland lakes as well, with Snowdonia and Pumlimon in the Cambrian Mountains all being excellent spots.

Even if you don't manage to hook a wild brown trout in these areas, you can still enjoy the breathtaking scenery or go on family days out.

However, if you are keen to land one, you could have a fight on your hands, as they are known for putting up a struggle when you try and reel them in.

The average weight is around 0.5 lb, with a decent sized trout coming in at about 1 lb - although if you are lucky you could land a monster of up to 4 lb.

Alternatively, if you are just a beginner you may want to try fishing for grayling instead. 

While they are not the easiest fish to catch in the world, they are less easily spooked than wild brown trout or sea trout, meaning a few clumsy casts will not scare them away.

Wales has a burgeoning population of this particular fish, which can surpass 4 lb in weight.

The rivers Wye, Severn and Dee all have excellent grayling fishing opportunities, while further to the south the Taff, Ewenny and Rhymney are also popular.

However, if you are keen to try some sea fishing, you will be pleased to learn Wales is the best place in the UK to land sea trout.

Boasting a vast coastline that stretches from the Severn estuary in the south all the way to the mouth of the Dee river in the north, there are plenty of places to enjoy this pastime.

The sea trout season runs from early April up until September, with the largest specimens usually arriving on the scene before mid-June.

These saltwater animals can reach up to 20 lbs, although you are more likely to land a catch of between 2 lbs and 3 lbs.

Many Welsh rivers that run into the Irish Sea receive a run of sea trout, with the Towy, Teifi, Conway and Mawddach being the most well known.

Even streams in the south, which were historically heavily polluted, have made a massive recovery and now provide some of the best fishing in the country.

Fancy taking time away from your rod and tackle? Wales has some of the best coastal walks in the UK, meaning you can take a break with your family to explore the country's rugged cliffs and sandy beaches.

Last but not least are coarse fishing opportunities, which are so plentiful in Wales that you may have trouble fitting in everything you want to do during your short break.

Carp, pike, gudgeon and barbel are all available, with the rivers Taff and Wye both excellent spots to spend your afternoon angling.

When it comes to packing your fishing gear for coarse fish, a general-purpose carp rod is advisable, with a length of between ten and 11 feet your best option.

If you are staying for just a weekend, you should be able to bring enough bait to last, although if you do begin to run out or have forgotten other supplies, there are a number of fishing shops situated all across the country.