Feedback & Reports

First time on this beat, and enjoyed it. River low and clear, persistent downstream wind, and sunny most of the time. So not ideal.
Fish were hard to come by, caught 4, missed 2 good fish. Probably could have done better but just nice to stand in the river for a few hours. Had to take a trout on the Salmon Rod as hooked badly, about 1 and 1/2 pound.

4 Trout

Morning session only. A beautiful day; sun with some light cloud; the river a good colour. Very little rising. Five nice trout, one to one & half lbs each taken on comparaduns (three) and gold-head PTNs (two). Beat recommended, although a few dog walkers here and there.

5 Trout

Bright with a cold strong downstream wind. Fished the top half of the beat from 11.30 to 2.30. No flies showing and nothing rising. A change from duo to two gold/copper head HENs brought immediate success and picked up succession of pretty brownies the best pushing 1.5lbs. Odd mayfly and sulphur may coming off after lunch tempted me to try dry fly again, but apart from one splashy rise from a small fish, there was no interest, so reverted to nymphs and caught a few more. The wind didn't let up all day. Tried the lower glide as evening approached but nothing moved to dry or nymph. Perfect beat to chose for a first visit to the Usk. Good to meet Chris Price. Thanks for the flies. Sadly I didn't need them this time but I'll be back.

10 Trout

2 trout on dry mayflies. 35cm and 30cm both taken.

2 Trout

Caught 4× 10 inch brown trout on gold head nymph. The water level was high with brown tint.

4 Trout

3 caught fishing a duo, 1 caught fishing a dry. Rain and occasional wind made fishing a bit tricky but it was a good day. Some insect life and some fish rising. A gooseander and chicks were on the beat.

4 Trout

Only short time spent fishing Glan-Y-Cafn as had long drive home after weekend away on the Usk fishing. Very strong downstream wind and heavy rain made for difficult conditions. 1 or 2 small trout seen jumping just upstream of the island in the faster flowing water but no takes.

River was slightly coloured and low. Nonetheless, there was a steady late morning rise which targeted a mixture of lacewings and mayflys. The hatch died off at lunch time and did not return. 2 x 1lb+ brown trout were taken on small, gold head nymphs. Fished across the current and stripped back. 2 x 6-7" brown trout taken in a similar manner on similar technique, all fish returned in good condition. A mink was spotted halfway down the beat by the old croy. A great days sport!

4 Trout

Nil return. This fishery is situated in quite a deep valley with steep sided banks so unless the water is low enough to wade you're restricted to roll or speycasting. I tried to cross to the upstream end of the island but hit a deep channel and got swept of my feet and then trapped against a tree bough by the force of water in the channel. I had real difficulty getting back to the bank - a close call that put paid to fishing. The gauge at Trostrey was 1ft 3" and the one at Glanusk 6" when I had my accident so take great care when wading this beat at this water height. At lower water it would probably be quite an interesting place to fish, there was quite a lot of small olives, yellow Mays and the odd mayfly around the fast water by the island. Some very large trout were rising in the deep pool at the downstream end of the beat but getting near them is very difficult because of the very steeply angled banks. To avoid drowning I had to let go of my beige bag with blue trim containing several boxes of flies and an attached tenkara hayase rod in its tube. The boxes are marked with my name Ian Calvert and mobile no - I would be willing to give a reward of £100 for the return of these if anyone finds them.

A great day, despite difficult conditions. Not much rising, but took one or two on dryfly (Yellow May emerger, loopwing emerger). Most on klink and dink. Loads of takes, but hard to connect well, as I was fishing across the current. Biggest fish netted about 1.5lbs, but lost two of about 2lbs.
Saw off two poachers (spinning for trout) who became quite aggressive, and saw another man with an unassembled spinning rod.
WUF Note: Spinning for trout is prohibited on the Usk by law. Spinning for salmon is not permitted until 1st June so these poachers were fishing illegally - in these instances we request anglers call the NRW emergency line 0800 80 70 60 as soon as possible. If a poacher becomes aggressive when asked to leave, please call the police.

12 Trout