Feedback & Reports

1 Trout

Nil catch.

Very low water, difficult conditions. Small WBT.

Fished an evening session with no success. Tried dry flies, nymphs and a combination of the two, NZ style. All to no avail.

A beautiful stretch of river marred by the frustratingly overgrown bank, which only allows very restricted view of the water. I lost my folding landing net while scrabbling up the bank (it's probably hanging in a tree!)and would appreciate anyone who finds it contacting the Foundation.

As mentioned by other anglers, Ashford House has a very overgrown sign on the road. It is the property directly opposite the canal tunnel with a large tarmacked car park in front of the house. Take the path to the right of a dwelling, heading towards the farmyard for access to the river.

As always, the booking office staff were very helpful in organising this fishing, which was very much a last minute decision.

Fished morning only. Few fish rising. No takes despite several fishing methods. Will try this beat again.

One fish 1.5 to 2lb, two others about half to three-quarters of a pound. I kept the biggest fish. All were caught on nymphs.
Accessing the river is not easy. The banks on almost the whole length are heavily overgrown with bracken, balsam and brambles but once you reach the river it is a lovely piece of water.
When I arrived I put 9 cormorants off the water. I saw a mink at close range, also otter spraint and footprints. How do the fish survive?
Worth noting that there is no sign on the gate to say it is Ashford House. That may be worth a mention on the directions to the beat.

3 Trout

Long day, 5 small wbt betweeen us.

5 Trout

8 trout 7-10inches.
PTN, GRHE & Black Gnat
River low & clear
All returned

Bottom of beat,(near house),deep, not very accessable pools, you need to be able to cast better than me to fish here.
Half way along beat it opens out a bit to a succession of nice riffles & pools
Beware: 1st point of access here has a VERY LARGE WASPS NEST just where you want to put your foot to get out

In the evening had an otter porpoising across the pool down stream of the road brige at the top of the beat, 50M range & I know what a mink looks like in the water
A beatiful end to a day on the river

8 Trout

Little sign of fish with the river a little high. I tried nymph upstream and downstream and not a touch
Access to the middle half was a little difficult because of deep bracken with a couple of paths cut through it to steepish banks.

Fine day with a little wind. River didn't seem high, but wading was deep and access differcult in places. Evidently lots of good size trout present. Lost one sight cast on an emerger about 14:00. Nothing fishing down stream wet in ruffles. Took at 1lb fish about 20:00, when there was lots of surface activity at the downstream end of the beat. Sadly had to leave to drive back to London.

1 Trout