Feedback & Reports

Our first time on this beat, so decided to split up with RW taking the roving approach covering the top end of the beat, and RB going for the static approach at the lower end. The deeper water towards the top end of the first field proved the most productive, where RB caught the 2 barbel. A beautiful mild day in stunning surroundings made all the more enjoyable.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

We arrived to find the river very high as expected, and didn't feel we had a great chance of catching the barbel but thought it worth a try for the chub, so we soldiered on. Alas, fish on the bank was not to be today, but never the less, we had a great day trying to catch fish. There was an otter around which didn't help the cause but the scenery was stunning. A great day, tried hard but failed this time. Can't wait to visit again. Did Fownhope 5 three weeks ago and couldn't stop catching all day long.

Perfect day for it, warm with a little cloud. River was carrying around half a metre of water with a little colour. The chub came in the morning with no barbel showing until that last few hours before dark. All fish were in excellent condition with the barbel ranging from around six pounds up to around nine pounds. All fish were found in the upper meadows where the river can be difficult to access in places.
If you fish this beat until dusk, make sure you take a torch with you as walking back up through the hill in the wood after dusk would be unsafe. The Cormorant population seems to be thriving. I saw several in groups of up to four birds and one popped up right in front of me after diving for its prey.
A great day out on our favourite river, thanks to Wye and Usk Foundation.

8 Barbel, 2 Chub

1 Barbel 6lb. 4oz. to pellet. 1 Chub on meat. Both fish
fighting fit although barbel a little "Tatty" lower part of tail. Conditions seemed good and quite stunning surroundings but a tough day's fishing. Not sure if this was due to fish numbers or lack of local knowledge as this was our first visit to this stretch of the river. Plenty of bird life to observe and enjoy including, unfortunately, one Cormorant travelling upstream in the morning and seven downstream in the late afternoon.

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

Arrived early morning to a wet drizzly day. Never fished the area before so had no knowledge of the water. Hard going all day. Managed 2 small Chub and 1 Barbel. Very enjoyable scenery. The area was lovely where we were. We will definitely return in the future. Unfortunately on the footpath back to the car I lost the quiver-tip from my feeder rod. If anyone comes across it perhaps they would be kind enough to email me. lorrainehornsby@hotmail.co.uk

1 Barbel, 2 Chub

7 Barbel, 3 Chub

2nd day of my trip, after blanking at Foy Bridge. The plan was to fish off the croy down the crease. Walked 20 minutes to find it under a foot of water.
Slow walk back down the beat to find a likely swim. Fished a swim behind a big tree creating some slower moving water. Caught 2 smallish chub and 4 barbel, 2lb, 3lb 12oz, 5lb 6oz and 8lb 1oz, all on feeder with pellet or spam as bait.

4 Barbel, 2 Chub

Warm and sunny conditions which felt like August rather than October. The river level was steady for the first 3 hours then rose 8 inches during the next 3. Lots of weed coming down the river made it difficult to keep the feeder out. 1 Barbel (8lb 4ozs) and 3 Chub (3lb each). Barbel taken on pellet; Chub on meat. Fished in first field opposite the willows.

1 Barbel, 3 Chub

Description said some good winter piking spots? I could walk across 95% of the river! Waste of £24.
WUF Note: The extremely dry weather of the summer and early autumn has lead to some extremely low water levels. We ask that you take conditions into account when reading beat descriptions. Middle Ballingham has some good winter pike spots in normal winter conditions.

Both barbel about 6lb caught again at dusk. River very low and crystal clear. Chub to about 4lb. Limited swims due to weed and lack of flow, large clumps of weed drifting down due to weed cutting upsteam ment rolling meat was the only option for the 1st couple of hours.

2 Barbel, 3 Chub