Feedback & Reports

I walked the beat in as much as that was possible and decided not to fish. I was disappointed to find that access was pretty awful due to debris and fallen vegetation from the winter floods not having been cleared and the water was too high and fast for productive fishing, especially as it is a left bank fishery with much of the depth being on our side of the river. Frankly it didn’t feel safe and I fished the Usk a lot so it take a lot to put me off . I’m sure that this is a lovely beat in late spring and summer but one to avoid at this time of year and with this much water about. I cut my losses and went to a different beat.

Staying very close by in Pennorth so couldn’t resist a cast on the last day of the season, more out of hope than expectation. Top half and very bottom of beat inaccessible as whilst waters had receded after v heavy weekend rain, access was still limited. No sign of salmon but a couple of o-o-s trout swiftly returned and plenty of knocks.

2 Trout

sadly nothing but lovely day

Too hot and bright all day. I saw two fish move on the upper part of the beat during the day. Caught nothing but sunburn.

Water high, fast, cold, and murky. Limited areas to fish from this bank in this water condition. Couldnt even get to upper area of the beat (upstream pf islands). Saw 2 rise just before sunset. No bites

High waters and windy so it was a tough day fishing but still managed to land 3 brown trout about 1lb using small dry flie. all fish were returned

3 Trout

Very mixed day with spells of rain then sun, also long slow periods which were very tough but also a few mayfly hatches which gave some good fishing - caught 4 trout on dry mayfly emerger patterns, big range in size - 6, 9, 15 and a nice one just over 18" (photos below). All in superb condition - plump, fin- and scale- perfect. All returned as usual.

Had a kingfisher fly straight over my shoulder at one point, think I must have inadvertently been standing near the burrow in one of the banks! Frequently had a kingfisher within sight through the day, and of course the masters completely outclassed me for long periods! :) Also a pair of green sandpiper seen on one bankside. The river is looking a nice level now thanks to the recent rain, great to see after the drought last year. On the downside, the Japanese knotweed and Himalyan balsam is now completely blanketing the banksides at both ends of the beat, it's a real jungle now - difficult even getting through it and down the riverbank in many places. I know both these non-native invasives are hard to eradicate, but if you are looking to form a work party to attack the bloody stuff at the end of the year and at least give the natives a chance I would happily volunteer a day or two. There is so much on the banksides now that it threatens bad downstream spread too. Apart from that another lovely day though on a wonderful bit of river - thanks again to you and the owners for letting me fish it!

2 trout caught on nymphs, seen plenty of rises but could not connect with dry flies. Perhaps try emerger patterns?

2 Trout

River now returned to the low level and slower flow rate of a week ago. Fish sluggish & less active.

4 Trout

River dropping and clearing from recent raised levels.

5 Trout