Feedback & Reports

None caught, only a couple of takes: grayling on bead head nymph. Weather almost perfect and conditions were good, although the river was still a little cloudy. Fish began to rise late morning following a reasonable hatch. Plenty of sign of otters (footprints) but unfortunately did not see one. Beautiful part of Herefordshire - will certainly return.

Looking back through the catch returns for this beat, I realised it was over four years since I had fished it. Back then I had a cold, blank day but I'm pleased to say it was a little better this time. But only a little. The only fish I saw all day were those I caught. Only one small grayling came to a size 16 weighted nymph in the morning, so I changed tactics and fished deeper in the afternoon. This was more productive with three more grayling and one trout to show for my efforts.
The wind and cloud kept it chilly for most of the day and the river was carrying a bit of colour which I certainly wasn't expecting after such a dry week. I'm sure when I first started fishing here some years ago, I would expect to take more trout than grayling in a day. Looking through the catch returns, the pattern seems to have reversed in recent years - is this just my imagination or has something changed? Either way, it's still a beautiful place to spend a day and well worth another go later in the season. Maybe I'll meet more trout then.

1 Trout, 4 Grayling

River still quite coloured from the rain fallen the previous days; czech nymphing for a couple of hours anyway, but no success at all. I will be back on this beat later in the season, it is extremely beautiful.

Cloudy, 10C, water risen after week of rain. Not much activity. Caught just one trout, lovely area. So quiet. Lost couple of fish, not easy to locate it. No fish taken. Thanks.

1 Trout

1 Trout

Lugg gauge showing 1'2", a bit of sun around, river clear. One grayling of about 10" to a bead-head red tag.

1 Grayling

River low and fairly clear. 2 Grayling taken in morning (biggest 16") on tungsten head pink shrimp fished Czech style. No grayling after lunch, 4 x OOS Trout from upstream section on nymphs. New stiles have helped access a lot!

4 Trout, 2 Grayling

Lovely mild day on the Lyepole beat but the grayling were still playing at hard to find but did have 4 in the end including one of 14 inches that was very pleasing. All fish took a small gold bead nymph instead of many other patterns tried. A great day though in a lovely place.
4 grayling & 1 Parr

4 Grayling, 1 Other

4 x little grayling 6-10 inches, Tungsten Hare's Ear. Not an easy day, although water conditions looked reasonable. I spent much time experimenting with weights and patterns of nymphs, eventually going to some rarely visited corners of the fly box, all without very much result. Having no less than 2 separate otters fishing the beat, one below the bridge and one above, working all the pools very thoroughly, may have had something to do with it. At least that is my excuse. It's one of the great skills in angling that - always to be ready with an excuse for lack of success! I enjoyed otter watching instead.

4 Grayling

Nil caught. River at a good level, and clear. Slightly milder day than the previous. Tried various beaded nymphs it the usual likely looking spots. No sign of a fish. I know there's plenty of grayling in this stretch, as I've had some very good days in the past. Roll on the Spring!