Feedback & Reports

Warm and sunny when I started but got cooler as the day went on. River still low and clear and the water surprisingly cold. Very little insect life or fish showing. Found a couple of fish rising around the middle of the beat. Only activity in one pool and it didn’t last long, managed to get one WBT of about 12” on the dry fly.

1 Trout

This nil return comes with a measure of sadness. I love this stretch of river, but it is now in a sorry state. Very low, slow and tinged with green by a thick fringe of algae. It was a cooler day and the water temperature was below 20c. We dutifully fished dry, but in the knowledge that any fish which came to the surface would probably be looking to give himself up. Mercifully, none did.

I should note that there were campers in the field by our stretch of the bank, presumably there with the farmer's permission. This lot didn't bother us, but the same might not be true of others.

4 Trout, 2 Grayling

River unsurprisingly quite low and very sunny, fish pretty spooky, although a few visible of a good size (around 12”). Lovely day on the river but no catch to show for it. Access is near downstream end, so tricky not to spook out runs on the way up - would be great to be able to get in nearer the upstream end. Lovely spot though.

9 Trout, 1 Grayling

1 Trout

Water very low indeed in places, and clearly very warm with 33 degree air temp. Fish understandably not moving any more than needed but nonetheless we had a few bites, and but for three spat unbarbed hooks might have had a fish or two. Stunning location and given the exceptionally difficult conditions still very nice fishing. Pint at the Bell afterwards proper Ice Cold In Alex remake...

What a lovely place. Unfortunately, i walked all the way to the downstream end of the beat and fished my way back up to what looked like the best areas near the top. Unfortunately when i got there, there were 4 lads in canoes and inflatable rafts going up and down the river!!!!

2 Trout, 1 Grayling

My first time river fishing in many years and also first time on this beat. Started at 6.30pm and took my 8ft6in #5 which felt just right. Used AI to seek advice on best flies to use in early Summer on the Monnow, so was expecting to start with PTL and Hare's Ear nymphs. No luck or interest from fish in either of these and things just seemed very slow as the temperature was dropping fast from the heatwave of recent days. At about 8.30pm fish started rising I bagged a nice 1/2lb brown on a small, green Clinkhammer. Very exciting as the lighted started fading and the fish were rising from the deeper pools, of which there are many in the lower half of the beat.

p.s. I would love to see more of the catch comments including details of exactly how fishermen caught the fish and what flies. I am so out of practice and keen to pick up great tips, but often don't get those insights from reports. Thanks!

1 Trout

Not ideal conditions with the sun and low water but I take my days off when I get them. Still a lovely 3 hours enjoying the river. Very little sign of fish but I managed a fighting grayling on a small black gnat type fly. Caught in the deep pool down toward the end of the beat.
On a separate note, It would be great if there was an advice type platform for the passport beats, somewhere anglers can get tips and discuss river techniques etc. I am a beginner fly river angler and on this catch return there’s no option to ask questions or reach out to discuss river fly matters. Some anglers simply state fish caught not even the fly. I thank those who do mention more about their fishing and I accept that it isnt a requirement of the returns, my catch rate is very low and I only get to fish 2/3 times a season. My issue no one else’s. Even the Instagram site isn’t very helpful. Any changes coming ????? Thanks for reading.

Fishing Passport Note : The Fly Fishing Forum may be the place to set up a discussion? https://www.flyfishing.co.uk

1 Grayling