Feedback & Reports

A glorious day of Mayfly fishing. A steady trickle of Mayfly were coming off at lunchtime when I started, but huge numbers by late afternoon and early evening. However, most were ignored in the glides, but there was still a few rising fish to target. In contrast, the faster runs were full of feeding fish which were almost falling over themselves to take a CDC mayfly, although they didn't make their presence very obvious. I lost count of fish caught, but it was well over 20 between 10 and 15" with many more missed takes and lost fish. Also had to cut a lamb free which although badly tangled in a bundle of temporary fencing, could still run faster than me. Great to see the Monnow so full of trout.

20 Trout

Lovely day's fishing starting early and finished by 3 due to having to return to London. 10 trout on a combination of nymph and Mayfly. Trout of varying size with two lovely fish around the 1lb mark. Hatch of mayfly increased during the course of the day though relatively few fish rising for most of the time I was there. Typically, things seemed to be hotting up as I had to leave. I wonder how the other rod progressed later on in the day?!

10 Trout

Fabulous fish up to 15" all caught on grey wulff. Not many mayfly.

6 Trout

Range of sizes up to 1.25lb. 4 or 5 were stocked trout.

17 Trout

Range of sizes up to 1.25lb. 4 or 5 were stocked trout.

17 Trout

Cloudy and overcast all day but dry and cold. The river was running clear and there was little evidence of either fish or fly activity in the morning when I arrived (08-00hrs.)
First time wading and only my second time river fly fishing. Found it all a bit wobbly but great fun. Tried nymphs first then a dry without success. After lunch noticed some good fly activity which turned out to be a good may hatch and took my 3 fish on a mayfly. The fish were having a feeding frenzy and had I been more experienced and skilful would have caught more. A great experience and will return.

3 Trout

After the torrential rain Saturday and heavy downpours yesterday I arrived to find the Monnow heavily coloured but within normal levels. I didn't fancy wading in such conditions so spent an hour walking the banks before deciding it give it a go anyway as I was fairly familiar with the beat. I started right at the far end and found a few small fish rising, I lost two or three before bringing two small chub to hand. I noticed a few Mayflies among the plentiful fly life so switched to a Mayfly I'd tied with yellowish CDC wings. The river was still very coloured and very few fish were rising, the Mayflies were few and far between but the trout seemed to be waiting for them, I started catching as I prospected my way up river having trout rise to my Mayfly first cast on a number of occasions. There was a lull around midday as the trout seemed to get bored waiting but as the day progressed the Mayflies got more numerous and the trout responded by giving their locations away by rising to them, from then on it was just a matter of casting at showing fish and I took fish after beautiful fish, all in lovely condition and fighting fit, all were returned that way too. I lost count of how many I had, I've said 12 but it was probably far more than that with numerous fish missed and slipping the hook too. A really great days sport rounded off by dinner at the Bell before standing on the bridge and looking into the still murky river and watching the still rising trout before heading home. Thank you WUF for a fantastic day.

12 Trout, 2 Chub

5 Trout

No catches. River high and muddy.

A warm day with some sunshine. Rain late in the day. River a good height but still a little coloured and falling from rain the previous day.

Plenty of flies hatching but very little surface activity. Too early for mayflies perhaps a little late this season due to cold April.

All fish around 9-12 inches caught on small weighted PTN in streamy runs fished NZ style around 12-18 inches down. Tried some dry flies for fun but no interest. The river looked as though it should have been more productive in this condition. Perhaps in better hands it would have been!

River itself in good condition. Nice place to fish as always. The upper half seems to fish best but probably lower sections also fish well on dry fly.

4 Trout