Feedback & Reports

Fished from 09.00 till 18.00, only saw 1 salmon jump
River in good condition but unless I have gone soft the access by the ladder by the tree to Little Run pool is now too deep to wade - be careful.

Nil catch, but I did play a salmon for around 10 minutes in the cockpit pool but did not have my net ready and lost it at the last minute when it turned over and hook pulled loose. So near yet so far!

No salmon caught, but fish were obviously in the beat as one salmon (ca 10lb) rose in Cadora pool. Great beat - good access and helpful owner. Thanks!

River still a little high for this beat and no fish seen.

First time out this season and first time ever on Upper Bigsweir. I have to say that overall I am very impressed with the beat and cannot wait to get back on there with a foot or so off the guage (? - see below). Neither Nathan or I managed to connect, but we saw several very good fresh fish showing in the cockpits,sunken tree and later in Little Stream. The wading was quite easy, but deep in places - once you got into the water (see below)

There are a couple of points would help to turn this into a very nice fishery;
1) Cutting some steps down to the water - ok there are a few ladders, but on the day we were there most looked as if they dropped into 6ft of water! The bankside access is very poor in places and I wouldn't recommend to those who cannot climb.
2) Some bankside clearance would improve casting/fishing lines. Maybe because the water was high this became more obvious, as some of the bushes and general bankside scrub made spey casting impossible
3) I understand the hut is for private/syndicate use, however use of the toilet would have been welcomed (it's a bugger having to head into Monmouth in your waders) - female anglers take note.
4) It would help to have some pool markers and an idea of the ideal heights - there is a gauge in the beat but it doesn't have any meaningful value unless you either know the beat or have some idea of the best heights - could be part of the information sent when booking. (this applies to other beats)
5) The entrance from the road is a bit hairy considering the speed most seem to drive along the A466 - be careful when pulling in or out of the gate.

Lovely to be out on the Wye again and shall be back.

Carl

7lb pike caught on lure.

1 Pike

Beautiful stretch of river but a shame about the noise from the road (and the loggers on the other side of the road). River was high and fast and the weather quite cold but did manage to catch a decent sized Barbel from the slower water at the top end of the beat. Would like to come back when the river is at a more manageable level :)

1 Barbel

Perfect conditions. 1 run take, fish didn't stay. Nothing else, not a touch all day after that run.

13lb pike caught on the lure.

No catch.