Afon Camlad
Access Officer: Dave Proctor, Capel Bethania, Cwm Cownwy, Llanwddyn, SY10 0NJ. 01691 870615
Nearby Rivers: Vyrnwy and Severn
| Map: |
126 Shrewsbury 137 Ludlow & Wenlock Edge |
| Grade: | I |
| Length: | 13 km |
| Access: | A490 Welshpool to Chirbury road |
| Notes: | three weirs, all shootable plus a few stock fences |
| Quality: |  |
The Camlad and the Monnow are unique in this book in that they are the only two rivers that rise in England and finish in Wales. The Camlad is usually paddleable in the winter months for a few weeks, after heavy rain, but usually needs a bit of top-up during the summer. Apart from a few fences and three weirs, it is grade I in its entirety and is a superb run for those who enjoy wildlife, for here it abounds.
It was here I experienced one of those stolen moments when finishing the river at dusk, on a cold December day with the mist rising, that I was looked-upon with some amusement by a far more able river-man - an otter.
Chirbury to Hospital Bridge
13 km grade I; three weirs with fences
Just south of Chirbury, situated on the A490, is a small road heading off east which crosses the river at a suitable access point GR272984. A flow without any exposed shingle banks is desirable, but in big flood it should not be, for in such conditions the trees become very dangerous. The first few kilometres weave their tortuous path through native woodland, with the only hazard being the current rambling into overhanging trees and branches.
Below the first road bridge is a small two-foot weir which, although difficult to inspect from the boat, is easily shot down the centre. A little way on are three consecutive sets of stock fences which, at time of writing and water level, were easily "sneakable". A few kilometres on is the next weir, a double-stepped affair, which is easily shootable in the middle of the left hand section. Passing under the Shiregrove Bridge the river twists and turns through steep and crumbly banks, out of which snipe, kingfisher and heron fly. The third road bridge also hides a small, play-able weir - shoot centre. A further railway bridge follows before egress at the old hospital bridge near the village of Forden GR214999. If you desire, carry on down to the Severn, longest of all of England and Wales’ rivers; otherwise take time to check out the ancient stone castle in Montgomery - just down the road.