Feedback & Reports

This is a lovely stretch of the Arrow and the first time I've fished it. I've fished the wild stream beats below and above many times so was keen to compare them to this beat. Access to the river is straightforward from the layby and the walk to the start of the beat is easy through the field and over Murder Bridge at Hergest Mill then through the next field down to the start. Not much activity until around 100:00ish when there was a steady mayfly hatch through the rest of the day with some decent rises. I took 6 fish either to a Grey Wulff or emerger pattern - so a good day. There are a few new fences across the river which are difficult to get through.

6 Trout

I fished the beat from start to finish in five hours with a break for lunch half way. The river was low and overnight rain was giving it a slight, helpful colour as the morning went on. Four fish to hand, mainly to a small GRHE but the best and last rose to a Klinkhammer in the pool just before the last cross river cattle gates. Much as I enjoy Hergest Court it is more difficult to navigate these days. Access is rather restricted by the new barbed wire fencing whilst the cattle gates and several large fallen trees make it something of an obstacle course. I guess I’m just getting old!

4 Trout

Low, clear water, chilly NE breeze, tricky conditions all round. Persevered for 5 fish between us, 4 on the nymph of a duo, one on the dry. Best about 12", others in the 6-8" range.

5 Trout

1 Trout

caught 1 nice fish on mini pheasant tail and lost 1. looks like cows have got in behind new fence and been on the rampage!

1 Trout

Short morning session on dries. 1 brown trout caught. 2 other takes missed.

1 Trout

7 Trout

Fished for about 3hrs after work, 6.30pm - 9.30pm. A few fish on nymphs from riffley sections in the first part of the evening, until the fish really started looking up as dusk fell. Another 5 vibrant Arrow fish - rich yellow bellies and bright red spots in big halos - fell to a size 18 CDC dun, with as many again missed connections/long distance releases. But I think the highlight of the evening was my closest ever encounter with an otter. I was hunkered down on my knees, tucked into the bank, trying to avoid spooking a small pod of rising fish in one of the slow, clear pools, and give myself enough room to cast underneath all the bankside foliage. About 15 yards upstream of me, he plopped into the water from the opposite bank, swam down the pool and set about harassing the trout I'd so painstakingly stalked - a magical, incredibly frustrating thing to watch in clear, shallow water. Eventually he popped his head up, close enough that I could have tapped him on the nose with my rod tip, took one look at me and disappeared down stream with a splash, which I took as my cue to call it a night.

8 Trout

River in good condition with some insect life including a few mayfly. Only one rise seen during a full morning. Otherwise no fish visible. Tried both dries and nymphs to no avail. There is new fencing along much of the beat with stiles to ease access. However, bankside vegetation is rampant, there are many fallen trees and much of the water is overhung with branches making casting challenging even when wading. It would not require a huge effort to cut back the vegetation and trim a proportion of the lower branches. The benefit to anglers would be enormous.

For obvious reasons a first visit for almost two years. River in good condition, lots of new fencing and a few large trees down but still a lovely beat. I fished till lunch time initially sticking to dry flies to no avail - the fish weren't tempted. When I switched to a Black Magic nymph four strong, healthy trout were caught in the shaded riffles.

4 Trout