Feedback & Reports

Fished on Friday and Saturday with my youngest son, we had 12 Barbel, 7 Chub and an eel between us over two days. The Barbel averaged 6 Lbs with the largest of 7lb 4oz the Chub varied the largest being just under 4lb. We used Meat and pellet and cage feeders. The canoeist were an issue on the Saturday, most were fine but sadly some people believe they can do as they please at the expense of others, the way of the world sadly. I will be returning as overall the experience was great and the canoeist only bugged us between 11:00 and 16:00 so all good.

12 Barbel, 7 Chub, 1 Other

What a difference a day makes!! River was approx 2-3ft up compared to the previous day, with an increasingly strong flow and a colour that resembled chocolate soup. Obviously this alone made the fishing more challenging, let alone the mass amount of debris ( which included full size tress) being washed down the river. The rain carried on through from early morning right up until late afternoon. Nevertheless we still enjoyed our days fishing and managed to bank 4 barbel. Tactics used were the same as day previous, as were the baits. Only difference being having to fish closer in on the slacks. All fish once again came from the top end of the beat. We did venture down to the lower limit (in the big potatoe field) but due to two other anglers already being there today and the lack of swims on this half of the beat, we did not fish it. Would maybe like to see a few more swims on this half, as the bends and features of the river here look good.
Apart from that (and the great British summer) we've had a thoroughly enjoyable two days at Middle Hill Court, catching more than our fair share. Well done wye and usk.

4 Barbel

First time at Middle Hill Court. Lovely accessible beat. The river now has a good colour to it with a fair amount of flow. A lot of debris and weed being carried down made fishing difficult at times. The rain today did not let off during the A.M with one torrential downpour/thunderstorm followed by constant steady rain. This lasted until mid afternoon. Nevertheless we still managed to bank 3 barbel and a chub between us. The rain stopped bringing with it some bright sunshine into the evening, with temperatures getting quite warm compared to what it had been in the previous hours. We both continued to catch steadily for the rest of the day into the evening until it was time to leave.
All fish were caught between the parking area and the 'end of beat' sign. Method used was feeder at no more than a couple rod lengths out aiming for creases or features.
Bait used was boilie, pellet, paste and meat combinations.

11 Barbel, 2 Chub

As always such a pleasure fishing the Wye. Fish were all caught in the morning and evening, this is the first time I have experienced a midday lull on the Wye at this time of year. All Barbel were in fantastic condition weighing 9lbs 12oz, 8lbs 9oz and 7lbs 10oz. Chub went up to 4lbs 6oz. Salmon were continually leaping all day through the length of The Vanstone Pool. I have visited Middle Hill Court for the last 5 years, this is a fantastic beat with great access which I will continue to return to. Moving forward I really would like to see some effort made at the bottom end of the beat to make more accessible.

3 Barbel, 17 Chub

Lucky enough to have fished this beat many times over the past 25 years or more. Fish fed first thing in morning and then again in evening. Although river is low if you can find the snags you can still catch, but you may lose a few as I did. Need to stock up on more feeders!

12 Barbel, 4 Chub

Unfortunately my scheduled companion for the day was ill so had to cry off at short notice. Weather was bit to hot and river low. The ghillie from the stretch above had 2 salmon anglers for the day and indicated that they might want to fish the top swim, (Vanstone Pool), if I didn't mind. I was happy to leave them to it but did struggle during the day for just 3 chub. When they left at 5 p.m. I moved into the pool and added another chub and 4 barbel to 8lbs. A satisfying end to the day but I was less happy that the ghillie told me that the pool would no longer be available to coarse anglers next season. It is a difficult, snaggy swim but does produce fish. This fishery has contracted considerably over the years and if it is to do so again not sure that we will want to book it in future.

4 Barbel, 4 Chub

Heavy rain for the entire morning made conditions difficult with plenty of weed being washed down river. I managed a couple of barbel to 8lb 10oz mid-afternoon once the rain stopped. Both fish came to pellet and from the upper end of the beat in deeper water.

2 Barbel

Lovely afternoon on the Wye. Lots of salmon crashing out along the length. Fished a couple of different swims and were rewarded with a couple of average chub and barbel on feeder methods for our efforts.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

River clear and barbel not really feeding. One fish from very last upstream swim on pellet on feeder.

1 Barbel

River clear and barbel not really feeding. One fish from very last upstream swim on pellet on feeder.

1 Barbel