Feedback & Reports

With a forecast of the first really calm day for weeks, I just had to give it a go today as Abernant can be very productive at this time of year, if the weather Gods favour you. I did a 9 to 5 shift, with the Wye valley misty at arrival and the air in single figures. Brrr! With a user-friendly 10” on the Llanstephan guage, the water was cold too at 10 degrees though, with the sun and heat of the day, the water was up to 14 degrees by 4 p.m. I had a couple of trout off the top in the mist by 9.30 but by midday had only had three trout and three grayling, fishing duo and taking fish on both a HE emerger and a flashback PTN. There were a few PWs and some midge around, but no risers, and I couldn’t tempt any other fish up with any other of my usual seasonal favourites. Nor was an hour’s bugging any more successful! The afternoon was a different story altogether with fish sipping in foam lanes until about 3.30 when the upwings began to fizzle out, though I still caught a few ladies until just before I left. For the whole afternoon I just fished a small size 18 pale hare’s fur Ducks Dun which will usually catch fish when PWs are around….and so it proved. The grayling were from 8 to 14” with the majority 11-13 inchers, doubtless grown-on members of the amazingly prolific 8-10 inch year class of a few years back. These ones survived! Interestingly, significant numbers were also carrying lots of Argulus parasites, a phenomenon which I don’t recall seeing before at this time of year on grayling. I caught only two more trout but, one sipping in the margins, was worth casting for as it proved to be a very disgruntled 19” fish of over 2.5lb which led me a merry dance for a while! Also, the great job on the strimming of the banks on the top half of the beat made for safe access – many thanks! This week looks pretty changeable but, needless to say, I’ll be watching September’s forecasts!!!!

5 Trout, 22 Grayling

Downstream wind kept things quiet until 5pm when fish started rising on the lower stretches. Landed and released one grayling. Lost another grayling, a brownie and a decent sized fish that didn't show. All took different dries in different sizes.

1 Grayling

Rain overnight meant that river was rising when I arrived and already pushing through. Summer debris being washed down after dry spell. Walked length of beat before setting on Czech Nymphing approach. Lost a good fish early on, could have been a Grayling from the fight. Ended up with two trout the larger about a pound the other 8" long. Lovely stretch with relatively easy wading, (for the upper Wye) I will be back.

2 Trout

Did. not fish due to making a mistake in booking the wrong date by one day. Unable to transfer or refund.

2 Trout, 4 Grayling

4 Grayling

3 Grayling

13oz brown caught on nymph Many small trout put back Very happy day; very satisfied guest who normally fishes Salmon on the Tay and Alaska!

1 Trout

Enjoyed the day as always on this beat even with a field full of nervous sheep. Weather on the hot side and was surprised to see the river on the up. Czech nymphing usually brings results but not today. Best fish was on a pale/orange ribbed spider across and down which made an interesting day.

2 Trout

8 Trout, 5 Grayling