Fishery owners in mid Wales are being encouraged to sign up to a new fishing passport scheme which gives anglers up to date information about where they can fish and access to benefits offered by clubs and other fishing bodies.

The Fishing Passport is available, free of charge, to all fisheries in Wales and is currently being used by 23,000 anglers.

The passport is the result of a collaboration between Natural Resources Wales and Afonydd Cymru and allows angling clubs, associations and fishery owners to reach the thousands of enthusiasts who enjoy their sport.

The Fishing Passport provides anglers with all the information they need to fish in Wales and is available, free of charge, to all fisheries.

Passport members can access a wide range of benefits which will help promote their services and generate additional income.

Explaining how it works, Peter Gough, the principal fisheries advisor for NRW, said: “Promoting angling opportunities is an important part of sustaining our fisheries and the Fishing Passport will provide local and visiting anglers with easy access to the latest information on current fishing opportunities.

“It will have information on where and what to fish for and how much it costs and is a key resource to ensure anglers keep coming back to Welsh rivers and lakes.

“The Passport scheme is a safe, trusted and well established online booking and information system for all types of fishing. It enables fishery owners, clubs and associations to promote greater access to their fisheries and market their services.”

The Fishing Passport also allows anglers to share their experiences of each fishery. These reviews provide valuable information for other anglers when deciding where to fish and help owners to improve their fisheries.

More than 23,000 anglers already use the Passport which includes links to accommodation and other services such as guides, tackle shops and fly-tyers.

Throughout the fishing season, the Passport produces online monthly reports for coarse fishing, salmon, sewin, trout and grayling and regular bulletins advertising specific fisheries and events.

Anglers can also purchase day and season tickets online or through the Wye & Usk Foundation office in Talgarth, which also gives advice and answers queries.

Fishing charges are collected by the Wye & Usk Foundation and are sent to the owner or club every quarter, minus a commission to cover administration costs.

Allyson Williams, who works for the Wye & Usk Foundation and manages the day-to-day running of the Fishing Passport, said:

“We’d welcome any fishery anywhere in Wales that would like to join the scheme and earn some more revenue.

“All they have to do is pick up the phone or send us an email and we’d be very happy to discuss how the Passport can help.”

Peter added: “While salmon and some sea trout stocks in Wales are under increasing pressure, brown trout, grayling and coarse fishing is generally very good and by promoting what’s on offer from clubs and associations we can help address declining club memberships and revenue.”

To find out more about the Fishing Passport contact Allyson Williams ([email protected]) or Seth Johnson-Marshall ([email protected]) or call The Wye and Usk Foundation on 01874 711714 or visit the office at The Right Bank, The Square, Talgarth, Brecon LD3 0BW.