Newport Reservoirs Fly Fishing Association

Newport Reservoirs Fly Fishing Association (NRFFA) is a prestigious fishing club located at Ynysyfro Reservoirs in Newport, Gwent, South Wales. The club proudly announces that both reservoirs are now open for fishing all year round. Membership renewals are currently being accepted, and it is highly encouraged to renew as soon as possible to ensure the maintenance of membership privileges.

NRFFA offers two types of day tickets: member day tickets for 14 and visitor day tickets for 20. To facilitate convenience, the association has implemented Clubmate, an online platform that enables members and visitors to purchase day tickets electronically and book boats. Further information regarding the Clubmate service can be found on the dedicated page.

When visiting Ynysyfro Reservoirs, members and visitors are urged to exercise caution while travelling down the lane to avoid any disturbances to nearby horses and to keep noise levels at a minimum out of consideration for the club's neighbours. The team at NRFFA emphasises the importance of preserving the reservoirs' pristine condition and encourages anglers to familiarise themselves with the full set of rules and regulations. These include using only barbless hooks, maintaining a clean fishing environment by refraining from littering, and adhering to the catch limit of 8 fish per reservoir. Once an angler has caught and killed their second fish, their fishing activities must cease.

To ensure adherence to these rules, NRFFA's committee members work closely with the head bailiff and conduct regular checks, focusing on issues such as fish mortality, the use of barbed hooks, and litter. Non-compliance leads to severe consequences, such as banning from the club.

Ynysyfro Reservoirs are located approximately half a mile from the Fourteen Locks Canal Visitor Centre in High Cross, Newport, and about a mile from junction 27 of the M4. At present, only the bottom reservoir is open for fishing. These reservoirs encompass two lakes, one of 16 acres and the other of 10 acres. Thanks to regular stocking, a healthy population of fish is maintained, ensuring excellent trout fishing opportunities at a remarkable value.

For the 2024 season, NRFFA offers visitor day tickets at 20 for non-members and 14 for members, which allows for catching and releasing two fish. The association follows a catch and release policy of 16 fish (8 per reservoir) and imposes a limit of 2 fish to be killed. As an added restriction, fishing activities must halt after killing the second fish. All fishing at Ynysyfro Reservoirs must be done with fly-fishing techniques using barbless hooks.

To avoid any inconvenience, it is advised to refer to the fishing regulations page to stay informed and enjoy the fishing experience fully.

NRFFA also maintains a Facebook page, “NRFFA Ynysyfro reservoirs,” where members and interested individuals can exchange reports, tips, photos, and more. However, admission to the group is subject to answering the group's admission questions and agreeing to abide by the group's rules.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the bottom reservoir will remain closed until further notice. When fishing at Ynysyfro, all brown trout are strictly required to be returned to the water. For individuals with little to no experience in fly-fishing who wish to join the association, NRFFA warmly welcomes them to reach out to any committee member. They will be happy to arrange for a member to provide guidance and assistance in getting started.

Ynysyfro Reservoirs boast a well-established fly life, with abundant buzzers, sedges, silverhorns, damsels, and cranefly. Nymph and dry fly-fishing techniques prove highly productive throughout the fishing season. Members and their guests can benefit from the availability of two boats exclusively for use on the lower reservoir. Welcoming facilities such as toilets and shelters are also provided on-site.

Lastly, NRFFA emphasises that special care must be taken to preserve the wildlife habitat at Ynysyfro. Visitors must exercise caution when using the top reservoir due to public use of the lane and the presence of horse riders. It is of utmost importance to close all gates after entry, and the top gate must always remain locked for security purposes.