Feedback & Reports

The beat and weather got the better of us on the day. 7deg C as we arrived, and the day brought only strong winds and rain rather than an increase in temperature.
A beautiful stretch of river, probably a foot below normal level and crystal clear. Only a few small pools were located, but there were no signs of fish throughout the day. A small brief hatch at about 1pm brought a little hope but no rises. Access to river difficult for some sections and a proliferation of barbed wire so watch the waders!

Feeling a strong urge to get on the Arrow once more before seasons end I booked knowing conditions would be tough. A low and clear river certainly made it challenging. As expected no sign of fish on the surface. Tried dry flies but to no avail. Had some success working flows into the deeper pools with weighted nymphs. Five fish in total, two of which were approaching a pound. An even larger one gave an angry, acrobatic display before shaking itself off a size 16 GRHE.

5 Trout

The River level was very low throughout this whole beat,not enough Water to cover the sole of my wading boots in most parts.

6 WBT caught - biggest 9". Plenty of fish in lower section of beat, but easily spooked! Upper section overgrown and needing tidying up.

6 Trout

A difficult day due to my inability to be stealthy in my approach. Couple this with my poor casting and managing to hook every tree / grass stalk / and nettle available.
I did manage 2 WBT of about 10oz each, one took a brown klinkhammer, the other a GRHE.
Wye and Usk, you tell us to fish upstream but on this beat the access point is right in the middle of the beat.

WUF note - Unfortunately, we cannot always guarantee to arrange access points at the very bottom of the beat. In such situations, it may be advised to than walk to the lower limit and fish upstream from there.

2 Trout

I fished the length of the beat just stalking rising fish but the water is so low it was difficult to get close without spooking the fish especially as you have to stay in the water. Had a few takes using small parachute flies & knotted midge but hooked nothing. This is a nice beat but difficult to access.

Judging by the puddles near the lay-by there’d been some recent rain but the river was running clear. What a difference a couple of mid-summer weeks make to bank side vegetation, definitely a case of wading the whole length with light tackle and a small brook rod. Overcast in the morning followed by brighter spells in the afternoon, no significant wind. Plenty of insect life but little fishy activity on the surface. The combination of a size 16 GRHE 60cm down from a Klinkhammer Duo proved to be a winning formula. Of the sixteen fish to hand only two took the dry. Six were in the region of a pound coming from the deeper, shaded runs on the upper section.

16 Trout

Lots of fly life seen but very few rises. Caught three WBT using nymphs - pheasant tail and brown ( both gold heads). Unfortunately day spoilt by inclement weather. The beat is both beautiful yet challenging.

3 Trout

This was my second trip to Hergest Court - the beat enjoys a healthy, steady hatch of upwings including some prehistoricly sized Mayflies (although it was the Olives that the fish seemed to be taking).
Again I fished a Parachute Adams with a small (size 18) Phesant Tail variant shifted from about 1-3ft to match the water depth. The nymph really does help to cast against the squally westerly wind which whips downstream and has been a feature of my visits here.
I caught about 15 fish - all around 8 - 10 inches. These fish are a good healthy handful and are clearly enjoying the abudent fly life. All but a couple were taken on the nymph.
I am yet to explore the upstream half of the beat such amount of good fishing to be had in the lower section.

15 Trout

I fished the upper half of the beat & managed to land 2wbt on nymph. There was lots of fly life but not many fish rising & I couldn't tempt any with my dries. This is excellent trout water & I'm looking forward to fishing the lower half of the beat. Access from the bank is very limited but river is low enough to follow in waist waders but you need to protect yourself from stinging nettles.

2 Trout