Feedback & Reports

Having fished the opposite bank at Courtfield and the bottom end of the Worcester length at Bishopswood we were looking forward to today and weren't dissapointed. We fished the faster water near the top of the length in what I think is the Swan pool. Although we only had 7 barbel FG had a pb barbel, a fabulous fish of 11lb 13oz taken on a large lamprey pellet, the other fish were of a good average size including an 8lb 8oz, 8lb 3oz and 7lb 6oz all taken on 10mm boilies. We also had 5 chub. Be warned though the walk from the Youth Hostel to here is about 1 1/2 miles.

7 Barbel, 5 Chub

Results probably didn't reward the effort made. 450 mile round trip and a 20 hour day for 4 chub. But I will be back!
Do Not Underestimate the walk from the car park to the top end of the beat, it is a killer. Wanted to try the top end pools as I've fished Courtfield (opposite bank) before. Disappointed that two anglers from the next beat were already fishing in the top pools. They had walked down from the next beat but with nothing to indicate where one finishes and another starts what can you do?
Caught two chub in available pool, then worked my way back down to pumping station with no further action until last knockings when I caught two more. Good sized fish that were enthusiastic.
Beautiful location but probably due to early season swims had to be "manufactured." No sign of Mr Barbel.

4 Chub

Fished what I thought was Henry's pool.
Nice glide about 3 rod lenghts out, about 8 foot deep.
Had 4 chub on a specci waggler setup with sweetcorn and had 4 on pellets on a feeder or lead.

No Barbel, tried big/small baits and various lengths of hooklink.

Biggest chub which was caught on the float was 5lb 1oz.

Be careful of the track down to the Youth Hostel.

7 Chub

A long walk from the car park led to a very beautiful stretch of the Wye valley. I would recommend travelling light as it is a further walk to cover the whole stretch available. Access to the river is difficult because of steep sided banks and lots of willow growth - there are few swims accessible without alot of cutting back and use of a machete (which I did not do). I fished the Island swim which is fast and turbulent. This proved productive in the evening after 5pm( I fished another swim further up river but there were no bites). My intended fishing partner for the day was not able to come so I fished alone. Ledgered and hair rigged pellets delivered lots of aggreesive bites(after 5pm) from the barbel but the swim was sadly snaggy and I lost a few rigs and big fish who took me into the snags. Persistence gave me a lovely 5 pound ten ounce barbel which fought very hard using the strong current.
Another really lovely day out on the Wye in a beautiful part of the valley but underwater snags and a general lack of access to the water made it frustrating at times. I could have caught so many more - don't we all feel that sometimes!

1 Barbel

Six Barbel to just over eight pounds between us but the going was hard, the fish just not settling to feed. Three of these came first cast in a new swim, then nothing! Maybe they have not finished spawing yet, it's a very late year. Plenty of chubb though, one rod having one of six pounds, which is a big fish this time of year. This beat is a bit of a walk,(offset by the beautiful meadows with spotted orchids) but there is some lovely water at the top end, Swan pool looks great and this is where most of the fish came from. This beat has some real promise for the future.

6 Barbel, 15 Chub

Another tough day for myself and RA, springers doing dolphin impressions as they passed us around 4 pm. They just wouldn't have it.

No fish caught. One big trout seen.

Mr R caught a pike 10lbs whilst fishing for salmon and Mr Morris caught a kelt, 33 inches.

1 Pike, 1 Other

Two fish today from the Wyebank and Courtfield, Home Fishery on Flying C between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. 25lb cock and 18lb hen. 25 pounder from Alder pool opposite where Rene Alleyne had 22 pounder from Wyebank and Courtfield, Courtfield Fishery yesterday. 18 pounder from above the Pumping Station pool. Water fantastic and air temperature warming up at lunchtime after light snow flurry on the Forest hills this morning.

2 Salmon

After Rene Alleyne caught his 22lb fish from the Alders Legg meadow yesterday I fished from the far bank on Home and had a 25lb fish much the same place on flying c and then fished up the Legg meadow pool and through the Pumping station pool and had an 18 pounder top end just below Wyelands on the opposite bank and below the metal boat mooring. Fabulous fish.

2 Salmon