Feedback & Reports

Due to the low water levels, finding swims that were remotely fishable was very difficult and consequently we decided on the fast water at the lower end of the beat. Unfortunately it was blanket weed heaven, with tons of the stuff coming through at a rate of knots. Only one of us stuck it out for the full day, mainly because his mobility is not the best although it’s pretty damn good for an 85 year old, and he managed to winkle out a small barbel. The other two of us saw very little action of any sort although I, again, managed to foul up a screaming run.
The “highlight” of the day though were events unrelated to fishing. My elder colleague and I were still fishing the fast water when we heard a vehicle drive up immediately behind us and a gentleman with two labradors came down onto the “beach”, said hello to us and then just generally hung around until probably 5 minutes later when a flotilla of 6 or 8 canoes arrived and he proceeded to help the occupants land the canoes bang in the area where we, mainly my elder colleague, were fishing. It was absolute mayhem and, frankly, discourteous in the extreme. After 10 minutes or so, I couldn’t stand it any more so vacated the area before I said something I may have regretted. My elder colleague remained and told us later that the pantomime continued for around 30 minutes before the canoes re-launched. At that point the gentleman approached my colleague to offer his very polite apologies for the disturbance. My colleague then politely explained to him that we had paid a significant amount to fish here and that it was very disappointing to have it spoiled by such events. The gentleman then got out his wallet and offered to recompense my colleague which my colleague correctly and politely declined. The gentleman then told my colleague that our next visit would be free (??) and then departed.
On our return to the van at the other extreme of the fishery, we found two bottles of wine resting on the windscreen which we assume were left by the previously mentioned gentleman?? An unnecessary gesture but it was appreciated and we would be grateful if you (W&U) could convey our thanks to who we assume must be the landowner.

1 Barbel, 4 Chub

The furthest downstream part of the beat (opposite Goodrich Castle) could do with a brush cutter to reinstate the path through the woods. Did not detract from the day, will be back again. Keep up the good work.

1 Barbel, 2 Chub

Evening session only, pellet and feeder tactic between streamer weed - just the one chub at last knockings

1 Chub

6 chub

1 small barbel about a pound trotting and lots of small chub,1 nice chub on ground bait feeder on pellet.
River very low and clear,fair bit of walking needed at this venue.

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

Fished just for the evening in the same swim as on Friday and had the same result. The fish were around the same size as well although the second barbel was a bit smaller at around 4lb.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

River very low and clear. Mixture of feeder/pellet tactics and trotting luncheon meat.

1 Barbel, 10 Chub

1 barbel 8 Chubb

1 Barbel, 8 Chub

Fished for the evening only, in the bottom field between the rope pool and the rapids. The river is low and clearer than a couple of weeks ago. Shared a rod in the same swim. Had fish knocking the feeder more or less straight away but despite that the only positive bites were on consecutive casts at dusk which produced the two barbel - both about 5lb - and the chub. Then hooked an eel which miraculously and mercifully came off in the edge so avoided the pleasure of having to deal with it myself.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

Very low and clear river, this made spotting the barbel a bit easier, having found a few flashing over the gravels, I fished rolling meat & took all fish on in the same swim.

14 Barbel, 25 Chub