The Nyth & Tyr-Celyn Fishery & Lodge, Erwood, Builth Wells, LD2

PARTICULARS OF SHARE OFFER THE NYTH AND TYR-CELYN FISHERY – ERWOOD, BUILTH WELLS

The Nyth Fishery offers 1,190 yards of double-bank fishing, with the adjoining Tyr-Celyn Fishery adding a further 1,233 yards. Together they create one of the most attractive and productive beats on the entire River Wye.

The Nyth is famed for its rocky channels, stable pools and steady flows which continue to fish well even as water levels drop, while Tyr-Celyn, with its gravelly bed and slower pace, excels in higher water. Between them, the two beats ensure excellent fishing in a wide range of conditions. The Cafn pool, in particular, is regarded as the finest on the Upper Wye. Both fisheries provide superb fly water and are alive with birdlife - kingfishers, dippers, herons, wagtails, sandpipers, mallards and mandarins - with the occasional otter making an appearance.

Situation

The fishery lies in the heart of the Upper Wye Valley, 7 miles downstream from Builth Wells and 35 miles upstream from Hereford. This is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, set within magnificent countryside of grassland farms, wooded hillsides and oak-lined riverbanks.

The Lodge

Centrally located, the lodge offers delightful river views and easy access to the fishing both upstream and down. Built of single-storey rendered block with a tiled roof, it features an entrance hall, spacious living room with stone fireplace and Clearview log-burning stove, a dining room, and a fully fitted kitchen with bay window and dining area overlooking the Cafn. Accommodation includes six bedrooms (two en suite), two further bathrooms, a utility room, rod room, member’s store, workshop and garage/log store. A veranda terrace opens directly onto the riverbank. The freehold land and riverbed are all owned by the syndicate.

The Fishing

The Nyth beat includes a succession of productive salmon pools - starting with the Gauges above the lodge, then the Hole, Cafn stream and the Cafn itself, one of the most prolific pools on the river. Downstream are Never Say Die, the Agen, Jack Dunn, Ferry, Dolyn, Upper and Lower General, Whitmore, the Corner and Corner Gutter, all reliable in medium to low water. Tyr-Celyn, with its slower flows and gravelly bed, complements the Nyth perfectly and offers a series of fine pools of its own. A Swedish timber hut with mains water overlooks this beat.

Catches

Catch records at the Nyth go back many decades, including remarkable highlights such as nine salmon landed on consecutive casts by ghillie Geoff Franks in the 1980s, and the famous 52.5lb salmon taken by the Hon. Devereux in 1929. Historic Tyr-Celyn records from the 1920s and 30s show salmon regularly in the 25-40lb range. More recent seasons demonstrate the natural influence of weather: just 4 salmon in the dry summer of 2010 versus 89 in the wet season of 2012. Over the past 15 years, the average annual catch has been 31 salmon, 87% of them on fly. The fishery also offers superb trout and grayling fishing, with barbel and chub also present.

The Syndicate

The syndicate holds 18 shares in total, covering the fishing, lodge, land and woodland, under a professionally managed Trust Deed established 30 years ago and updated in 2008. The current sale offers 2 groups of 3 shares. Owners may hold between 1 and 3 shares, but never less than one. A purchaser may resell part of the group (1, 1.5, or 2 shares) to friends if they wish.

The Trust Deed ensures smooth operation and fairness. Each 3-share group enjoys 10-11 exclusive fishing and lodge periods per season, evenly split between weekends and midweek, and spread across the salmon season (March-October). Members are free to invite guests or book the lodge outside the season for private use. Changeovers are supported by a cleaner, with gardens and paths maintained by a local gardener. Annual costs are around £1,700 per share, with members paying only for personal electricity use and nominal bed charges.

Non-fishing members also enjoy their shares, using the lodge as a riverside retreat and base for exploring the outstanding local scenery.

A Brief History

The Nyth has long been recognised as the finest fly water on the Upper Wye. In The Salmon Rivers of England and Wales (1913), Augustus Grimble wrote: “The Nyth water was the best bit of the whole Wye, a charmingly placed fishing lodge built on the banks of the best pool, heather clad moors and mountains rising behind. The surrounding scenery is quite in accord with the best traditions of Scotch or Irish salmon fishings.” H.A. Gilbert’s The Tale of a Wye Fisherman also features the Nyth. Since 1870, ownership has passed through just a few families - the DeWintons of Glasbury, Lord Hereford, and the Robinsons of Bristol - until the syndicate acquired the fishery in 1994. Tyr-Celyn was added two years later, with its own riverside timber hut and separate access.

Asking Price

(Based on independent valuation and past achieved share sales. For context, in 1997 the original purchase cost of a share was £42,000.)

Group of 3 Shares - £240,000

A complete group of three shares is available at £80,000 per share (£240,000 total). The purchaser may either retain all three shares for exclusive use during their allocated sessions or invite friends to acquire one or two shares.

Individual Shares - £80,000 Each A second group of three shares is also available. As these are currently held by three separate individuals, there may be the option to purchase individual shares within this group at £80,000 per share.

A copy of the Trust Deed, outlining members’ rights and responsibilities, is available to prospective purchasers on request.

Erwood and Llandeilo Graban are two charming rural communities set within the beautiful Upper Wye Valley in Mid-Wales. The River Wye meanders gracefully between them, forming a natural divide and adding to the area’s scenic beauty with its wooded banks, abundant wildlife, and tranquil pools. Nestled between the market towns of Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye, the landscape is characterised by rolling farmland, wooded hillsides, and sweeping views across this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Today, the villages offer a peaceful setting with easy access to walking, fishing, and outdoor pursuits, while remaining within a short drive of local amenities. This unspoilt corner of Powys beautifully combines natural charm with a rich sense of heritage.