Feedback & Reports

7 x trout 9-14 inches, on spiders, Waterhen Bloa and Woodcock and Hare's Lug. Despite a very chilly downstream wind, the river seems to be providing a little more action now and there was no need for the heavy nymphs this time. A slow trickle hatch of march browns went on through the middle of the day and large dark olives were about as well. Fish were rising, although so far they seemed to be showing a preference for the olives. It was remarkable how they moved forward into the fast water to take hatching fly as the day progressed. GW of London, in his recent report on Ashford House, asked whether people think the march brown is making a come-back on the Usk? I have the impression it is, and have lately seen it almost on a daily basis in various parts of the river. It does seem to taking the fish a while to switch on to them, but I'm sure they will do so once the hatches become intense. The period of activity seems to be from around 11 to maybe 3 (as it was today) and at this time of year, if you see a rising fish, you have a very good chance of persuading it to take.

7 Trout

First fishing day of the season and great to wet a line. Tried heavy weighted nymphs ie hare's ear & pheasant tail nymph with a team of spiders to no avail. On the moments the sun came out also tried an up stream dry such as a klinkhammer but no takers. No bites all day. Nevertheless it was a bright and sunny Spring day.

Two nice brownies, the biggest about a pound caught on a gold head hare's ear. The river was running clear and a few fish were rising to the dry. A very enjoyable morning.

2 Trout

2 trout of around 10 inches caught on a March Brown dry fly. Although very few March Browns were hatching despite good conditions for them, small olives were the dominant species and fish were free rising surprising for an extended time up until 3.30pm. River is crystal clear.

2 Trout

5 x small trout 10-11 inches, beadhead nymph on the point of a team of spiders. A glorious and sunny day and the river at a much more reasonable level than two days earlier. Still, nothing much seen rising at the surface yet, despite occasional large dark olives and it seemed to be necessary to go deep. Others did better; regular angler Peter North had an 18 inch trout from the beat this morning on a nymph fished New Zealand-style.

5 Trout

6 x trout 8-11 inches, spiders with a weighted nymph on the point. An early morning start after heavy showers while driving to Brecon, which I hoped wouldn't affect the river. The water was pretty strong but clear, and fish were quite active. Although it was difficult to deal with a downstream wind and fast currents, it felt just great to be back on the river after all these months. But about 11 o'clock, the early rain had its effect, the level suddenly rose, the river coloured and the fishing switched off. Having forded the river earlier, I found I couldn't get back and had to walk round via the town bridge - something to watch out for under these conditions.

6 Trout

My last day of the trout season ended as it began - in failure! I caught 5 small trout, all returned, but haven't had a sniff at a bigger fish all season. Later in the day 5 other fishermen turned up on the same stretch as me, from the town bridge down. Even though there were no other bookings mentioned, fishing on this stretch seems not exclusive.

WUF note - It is mentioned in the Passport that this section of water has unlimited rods and up to 10 rods are bookable online as it is part of a Clubs waters.

Fly fishing with nymph, both fish released. Loved it.

2 Trout

Finally a beautiful 12 inch wild brownie caught in fast water on a gold-head nymph. A great morning on the river.

1 Trout

Another day without any fish. Sunny and hot with the water low and crystal clear.