Feedback & Reports

Beautiful beat, first time fly fishing on river,managed 1 WBT about 12inches, on a GRHE. Had a great day.

1 Trout

Lower, clear water made this a much more challenging day than my last visit in June. Fish were easily spooked which meant fishing at a bit more distance and with a stiff breeze I needed my 4wt rather than 3wt. Arrived late morning and couldn't find any fish in the faster water with a pair of nymphs or duo. Managed 6 grayling with a dry tenkara style soft hackle from the slower glides, largest was about a pound. All returned safely. Missed as many again and lost what was clearly the best fish when my knot failed. Didn't see a wbt all day and even with a reasonable hatch about 6pm there was little surface activity. I think the trout are on vacation. Great beat though.

6 Grayling

Low water. The new stile across the barbed wire is great.

Tough fishing on an extremely hot day. River water was hot! As could be witnessed by the many swimmers upstream of the bridge at Skenfrith. Only fish caught were two wbt hiding in the riffles that fell to my black tungsten beaded ptn in the morning. I came back for the evening rise that eventually arrived at about 8.45pm but whatever they were rising to, I couldn't match it. When I got back to the Bell for a pint, I took my cap off and discovered a dun that looked a lot like a 3/4 size mayfly resting on said cap!! Well I didn't think of putting one of those on. Great beat I shall return in September.

2 Trout

This was my 1st time fishing rod Wbt so apprehensive, I had fished rivers for years so was able to provide so expert knowledge. Arrived at 8am, light drizzle, but very muggy air. A few rises by the bridge. Walked the whole beat but no other rises till the very end,where I caught my 1st Wbt, lovely fish, fought hard best of day, a good 10 ins. We walked the beat back still nothing. Had very nice lunch at the Bell. In afternoon, there a slow hatch of mays started towards the bridge so concentrated on this area. Was able to lure 2 smaller Wbt, in-between a group of children playing & swimming in river by the bridge. Unfortunately my friend did not connect, rose a few. Overall good 1st time. Will be back. AB

3 Trout

Water clear, heavy shower late morning brought some colour to water for a while. Heavy hatching, mayfly and midges, fish feeding but limited at surface. Trout - brown small, 4-inch / nominal weight plus decent 1 1/2 pound / 10-inch brownie. Both on black weighted nymph. Same fly took series of dace late afternoon - all around 6-inches. Excellent pint and steak at the Bell in Skenfrith afterwards.

2 Trout, 5 Other

Fly Fishing, Catch & Release 2x 12 inch,and one 6 inch brown, released unharmed. Caught on wet flies. Beautiful beat, will returen

3 Trout

Weather conditions were not favourable - Rain set in at 0900 and continued until about 1800. Wind was gusty and variable. I arrived at 0600 and fished until 0930 using a duo with an elk hair dry and small black gold bead nymph on the point. Caught one small Grayling. Very few fish showing on the surface, although the water remained clear despite the recent rains. Stopped fishing at 0930 but returned again at 8pm hoping for an evening rise as the weather was by then dry and clear. Still very little surface activity, and I blanked and went home at 9.30pm.
Despite my relative lack of success I was still delighted with the Grayling as I haven't caught one since fishing as a boy in Yorkshire in the mid 1960s!
It was a real treat to fish on a beautiful small river in a glorious location, despite the weather and I found wading quite comfortable up to about thigh depth.
I think this would be a fabulous place to fish in the right conditions and would definitely go back for another session or two if I get the opportunity in the future.
One small point of concern was the forbidding sign saying "Private Property Keep Out" on the gate at the entry to the beat...caused me to re-consult the map before determining that it must be the right way to go. I think the Foundation should put a sign on there to reassure newcomers like me that they are entitled to access the river through that gate.
Many thanks to the helpful people at the Foundation who gave good and willing advice, and pointed me to the ideal venue for a days trout fishing- shame about the weather though.

1 Grayling

River quite clear, a couple of good hatches where fish were taking from the surface especially right at the bottom of the beat and near the top. Got better towards evening. Grayling caught pretty much by accident about 2 feet from where I was fishing as I was reeling in to head off to the pub.

2 Trout, 1 Grayling

1 Chub