Feedback & Reports

Haven't fished for a couple of months due to the horrific heat wave but finally temperatures were lower and the first spots of rain- air temp about 17C. River lower than I have ever seen it, and flushed two cormorants as I arrived which did not bode well. However there were still plenty of fish there - but they were all in very tight pods of about a dozen each every 40m or so that you could have thrown a coat over. Never seen such close shoaling before - must be an anti-predation behaviour in very low, clear water. Made the fishing very tough - they would often spook and shoot away just when the leader came over, never mind landing! I managed to catch five though, mostly from the faster/deeper water off the top on small mayfly patterns. Mostly small fish and I saw fewer large ones than normal - did catch a 17"er but she was rather slim, must have had a tough summer.

I have to say the state of the water was alarming not just in the level, but masses of green algae, in some places covering half the width of the river and coming right up to the surface. The likely culprit also visible on the surface - quite a bit of foam, one or two lumps even pillow size in the eddies. I would guess nutrient pollution from sewage treatment works (treatment?) and/or intensive farming - probably both but no doubt if you asked those parties they would point the finger at each other as usual. Wish I had brought a water test kit, I hope there is a citizen scientist covering this area. The dead algae in the margins stank. Meantime some pointless sports cars and spotless SUVs driven by overpriveleged twits zoomed by on the road burning up loads of fuel, contributing to the other evil of climate change and low river. Never been more disillusioned with the human race to be honest, but at least there was some fly-fishing again, and I suppose you have to look at the bright side - nature can be resilient as evidenced by those plucky trout and a lot of other wildife that has made it through.... I was half expecting a desert on arrival. The state of this poor river is absolutely shameful though - the entire Usk is a SSSI and yet what is the point of that designation when most of our society either treats it like a sewer or doesn't give a shit? At least some rain is finally coming though, a few drops today and more on the way - we need a lot to top the river up and flush the rubbish out.

5 Trout

4 Trout, 3 Grayling

Overcast with light rain & breezy. V little surface hatch. One 2 lb BT caught on BWO.

1 Trout

Light winds & sunny. Good iron blue sun hatch late on in evening. 2 of the fish caught were well over 2 lb.

4 Trout

River high with strong Westerly wind but late caddies hatch created a late evening rise.

2 Trout

3 Trout

5 Trout

4 Trout

Frustrating day with little in the way of rises until late evening and then couldn't get them to take any of my offerings! Had one on the nymph late afternoon but feel my technique may not be right for this river, both on the dry and when nymphing.

If anyone is willing to share some tips / give advice, it would be greatly appreciated.
My email address is; iancbarker@hotmail.co.uk

1 Trout

2 Trout