Feedback & Reports

I knew that booking was going to be a gamble and on this occasion it did not pay off. The river was high but always the optimist I had a go and there were a few areas that looked promising but blanked. Despite this, it was good to get a rod out and brush up on some skills and the scenery was good. Hopefully better luck next time.

This beat was fished by members of the Grayling Society on this occasion. 14 X Grayling (15 - 35cms) 10 X Trout (15 - 30cms)

10 Trout, 14 Grayling

10 x grayling 6-17 inches, trotting and Tenkara. Back to the rivers, but in fact this was quite hard work. I can't complain about the water level, down to 0.60 now and pretty clear. But the air temperature in the Irfon valley on this day of freezing fog was only above zero from 2 in the afternoon until around 4. There's a world of difference between minus one degree and plus one degree, or rod rings frozen or not frozen, when you want the trotting gear to work properly. I sidestepped the problem of iced rings for most of the day by using the Tenkara rod. Also, the grayling seemed to be dispersed rather than tightly grouped as is often found by this time in the winter and I had to wander a good deal. Still, there were quite a few healthy looking and bright silver fish of 15 and 16 inches in the bag - typical Irfon.

10 Grayling

Gauge at 0.7m, clear and falling slightly. Wade-able in places but much fishing was from the bank. Trotting maggots under a 2g Avon. Grayling were well spread and present in most pools and creases, with sizes varying from fingerlings to 12" (only 2 of the larger fish were hooked, one was lost). Whilst a bleak time of year, another lovely day on the Irfon with plenty of action to keep us interested. One salmon parr was landed.

2 Trout, 12 Grayling, 1 Chub, 1 Other

2 x grayling 11-12 inches, trotting. Oh dear me! Today's visit smacked of desperation. After more than 2 months without fishing a river, I was ready to take almost any chance to get back to it. Ordinarily, I would like to see the Irfon gauge at no more than 0.60, maybe 0.75 at a pinch for some carefully selected trotting. Seeing it at 0.98 the night before and showing signs of falling, I took a very long chance and made a booking. Hopefully the "light showers" predicted for the next day would not have too much effect and maybe the river would continue to fall. Such optimism! The light showers, when they came, would be better described as relentless and the river was rising all the time I was there, eventually to 1.31 metres. I picked up a couple of small ones from under the bank at my feet, lost a couple more, but when the colour came into the water the bites switched off. I went home as I never have much confidence in a rising colouring river. However, there should be chances later in the week if the rain will only hold off for a bit.

2 Grayling

It was going to be a bit of a gamble with such a wet December. Unfortunately it didn't pay of as the river was too high and unwadable. My son hooked one small grayling that got off before he landed it but nothing else all day. We met Charlie at the house who was very friendly indeed and we'll definitely be back when the water is lower.

When I eventually found the fish it was a fish a chuck. What a river - jewel in the Crown in my opinion.

6 Trout, 20 Grayling, 3 Chub

4 x grayling 14-16 inches, 2 x out of season trout 15 and 18 inches, trotting. Three rods were on Cefnllysgwyne today so I took a stroll round the top end in fairly high water. A freezing fog to begin with in the Irfon valley, but the temperature eventually rose to 4 degrees. I tried a few spots but I wasn't able to locate a shoal in the turbulent water; instead, "Here and there a grayling," as the poem goes. Unfortunately there was also "Here and there a lusty trout," not really wanted at this time. It began to rain again about 3 and the river rose once more overnight. Good exercise in the fresh air.

4 Grayling

Very enjoyable day, despite the bitter cold -1 start. Lovely colour on the river after the recent rain and levels were ideal. Saw a couple of good sized salmon jumping along the stretch in the morning near the far bank.
Used maggots, and although the first 3 hours proved fruitless, the afternoon was much more successful. I managed two small brownies, and 3 'tidy' sized Grayling - all of which were lurking just out of the swell. Also hooked a lazy jumbo eel later on (I suspect he wanted to end its life judging on its lethargic resignation), in a quiet pool but thankfully that dropped off as it approached the shore! Chris hooked 4 brown trout (2 were a decent size) and 3 small grayling, all on maggots.
Shocked and saddened to see that one of the big oaks we usually set up by, had fallen across my favourite corner spot, limiting the options there; but such is nature!
Greeted by Charlie as we left - a very nice chap who asked about our day.
Will definitely be back!

6 Trout, 6 Grayling

2 experienced fishermen both drew blank using variety of nymphs either traditional or Czech casting. Possible reasons?
River was high after 4-5 days heavy rain to day before? (water clear to about two feet) (wading generally unwise away from bank. Significant drop in temperature previous night (was 15c day before but snow on hilltops that day)?
Rapid change in pressure as a High settled over Wales that day?
'Twas just one of those days!!