 I am a keen wild camper and was wandering if it was possible to set up a small camp to myself by Usk Reservoir in Wales? I heard you can fish there and i am thinking if people do night fishing they may be able to camp here? if anybody knows if it can be done please let me know  Thanks
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 Well, it's a big reservoir so I'm sure you'd be able to find somewhere to wildcamp. It's Forestry Commission land though, so you'd need to be pretty discreet, they're not as tolerant of wildcampers as the park rangers are.
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 You could probably camp nearby easily but Water Companies normally don't allow camping on the banks so you would need to be discreet. Also, it's a trout water so the close season is now in force until March. During the trout season, night fishing is not allowed.
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 plenty of places around the reservoir to camp as it is high level land (within 1/2 mile of the actual reservoir itself) plus you get great views of the Carmarthen Fan
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Imperial Dave! Have you knowledge of these places personally? any maps, links you could share with me at all?? Thank you everyone for your info, i do try to stay discreet as possible as it is just myself and my tent and try to walk quite a distance off of the beaten track. Jake - I am planning on going early June, so do you think that is more do-able? if there is no overnight up to march I guess they will be on the look out for people. ALSO to throw a spanner in the works, a pickle in the jar etc.. I am wanting to have a small campfire! Imperial Dave, these places you speak of, would I be able to get a fire going as well?? Thanks everyone, Seems to be coming along quite nicely! (only just signed up to this site and surprised how happy and willing everyone is to help!)
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I am now looking at Talybont-On-Usk.. south of there is Talybont Reservoir which looks pretty incredible by some photos i have been looking at.. Talybont Forest looks fairly ideal? Any info on that would be much appreciated!! Thanks again, Rusty
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campfire is a no-no
most places don't have enough wood and if you're aiming for stealth they tend to reveal you more than most things.
i've taken my bushbuddy most times i've been to the brecons but don't always get the chance to use it as collecting enough wood is tough. once i slept in a wooded area so it was easy, other times i've collected dry tinder and wood when i've found it and saved it for later.
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If you try to have a campfire in the Brecon Beacons, you may get a visit from the police helicopter. We have serious problems here with upland fires and the police keep an eye on things. If you want a campfire, I'd recommend either going to a campsite that allows them, or using the informal campground at Cwm Llwch below Pen y Fan where the farmer is very tolerant and allows campfires. Talybont Forest - same comment about Forestry Commission land. The Caerfanell valley is popular with wild campers (wild in the behavioural sense), they've trashed the place. Discreet camping in forestry - go for it, but please don't light fires* *bushbuddy is different, not a campfire.
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as Kate says, think very carefully if you light a campfire. I have done so in the beacons a couple of times but only with a firebreak and digging the turf up first and in a sheltered position If you are interested in the two reservoirs you mention, there are plenty of websites detailing walks there but you could also have a look here and here
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Thank you very much for the info on the fires. It isn't a major thing for me so I can live without it, it was more of an optional extra. Its a real shame about 'wild' campers who feel free to trash everything for the rest of us. I will just try to keep myself very discreet as usual. I haven't run into any trouble on any of my journeys just yet *touch wood* So am I right to think that the BushBuddy is a bit of kit i can get away with using? as long as i keep it small?
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Imperial Dave, Thanks for those! I will have a good look at those to see where to go. I am planning on getting fairly close to the water but tucked into the woods, I have spotted a few places which may be ok and fairly discreet. I usually dig myself in as well if i have a fire so make sure it doesnt spread. and make sure i am close to water as well as much as possible!
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Might I politely suggest that the days of lighting a fire on some one elses property without permission are long gone. Why not use a gas stove. They cook far quicker. And more practically summer months and water really do equal midges. I know from experience that the area you fancy has its fair share. Much nice places high and plenty of stream for water.
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