Feedback & Reports

An excellent day nearly all round. The forecast heavy rain and windy conditions did not really materialise and the river stayed low and clear. We shared 9 barbel to 9lbs (including two clonkers from the 'spot' - thanks Don) and not less than 15 chub to 4lbs, some of which were taken bumping large lumps of meat down through the current - John's foresight in bringing waders paid off. We also caught an obligatory eel. Lots of fish were caught from the bottom pool.

The only downside was the boat traffic - more canoes than I have ever seen in one day. Some of the groups that came through were supervised and competent. Others hadn't a clue and beached and back-paddled where and when they felt like it. Some passed the pub before realising that was an authorised stopping point and their efforts to paddle back upstream to get that hard-earned pint put a stop to the fishing for some time. John had to forego his mid-stream chub-fest when it became increasingly dangerous to be anywhere other than on the bank with lines wound in.

On the upside, having a pub at the start of the beat and immediately next to the car-parking is positively inspired and it was a pleasure to see the day's catch swollen by several Barbel in the 2-3lb range, we hope this augers well for the future. The shallow margins and banks of streamer weed make the stretch quite challenging but stick to the main flows and there's fish almost everywhere. Thanks WUF - good call.

An early start found the fish queing up, chub at first but then the barbel moved in and I finished a hectic early morning session with 9 barbel to just under 7lb and 6 chub to 3lb, all on simple pellet and feeder tactics. Despite the low water levels this is a very pacey stretch and the barbel make good use of it.
Fishing early and/or late is the key at this time of year as bites petered out by 09:30 and by the time I left at 10:00 the canoes and kayaks were everywhere,including pulled out onto the bank!

Excellent day. Fished various swims and had plenty of Chub plus 10 Barbel up to around 7.5lb. Used large pellet on the hook and smaller pellet in the feeder. Thanks very much for a very enjoyable day.

Wyebank truly is a stunning location which offers outstanding fishing. I arrived at the car park around 9am and was greeted by a gentleman called Rudi who gave me the low down on where and how best to fish the beat. His advice was duly noted and within around 40 minutes of fishing I had, not only my first barbel of the session, but my first river Wye barbel. It was a fish of about 2-3lb and what it lacked in size, it more than made up for in its magnificent beauty. After this first fish the action dwindled for several hours. However, from around 3pm until I had what must have been my 15th "one last cast" at about 8pm, the fish really came on the feed and took a liking to my feeder fished halibut pellets presented into deeper water off the bottom croy of the beat.

I finished the session with 10 fish. Two small chub (1.5-2lb), 5 small barbel (2-3lb) and three larger barbel: 4lb 13oz, 6lb 1oz and 6lb 4oz.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable session which was no doubt shaped by the kind advice given to me by Rudi at the start of the day.

6 barbel to 7lb+, 6 chub to 3lb+, one 2lb+ eel. Most fish to pellet or corn. One powerful fish lost to a hook pull, maybe a foul-hooked barbel. All but one from the downstream end, and most fish caught in the morning. River still carrying a few inches of water and a little colour, but both level and colour dropping out during the day. A nice day on a pleasant stretch of river.

River up perhaps 1 foot but clear. Fished middle croy 10am to mid-day, 1 9lb plus barbel and 2 around 7/8lb on large halibut pellet.
Fished pool behind submerged bottom croy until 16.00hrs and caught 4 more barbel all over 7lbs and lost large one that went downstream to end of spool line when hook snapped at bend, (a size 8 carp hook by reputable manufacturer) All on large halibut pellet with loose fed small pellets.
An 11lb plus barbel was taken by a W&U angler from this swim on Wednesday.
Salmon seen frequently surfacing between croys, tried heavy flying c with no result.
For those who have fished here recently and been entertained by the loneley duckling, its still alone but alive and growing fast.

Our second visit to Don's beautifully presented and sensitively managed traditional mixed fishery. We knew that early season barbel can be slow on the river. Very pleased to report 26 barbel to 9lb, 16 chub 2 over 5lb over 3 days. The canoe menace reached its peak on Sunday, whilst most were polite and having a good time some were drunken yobs who did not understand the meaning of private property and it quikly became tiresome asking them to pack up there picnics and depart so we could fish. Fortunately this menace is short lived and by 4pm the river returns to normality. The fishery is absolutely stunning and it is a joy to catch scale perfect fish in such quantity using traditional methods. Thank you Don for a truely memorable few days.

Three sea trout caught on a small silver stoat, largest about 18 inches, (2lbs ish). All released. Great fun.

Started fishing before daybreak and ceased fishing when the first of the canoes went through the pools as given the low conditions I felt any fish present would be put off. Despite no action I thoroughly enjoyed my few hours on this beautiful stretch.
One day soon I hope to catch this beat in good nick and put an end to my run of blank days.

Fly fished from 6.30 am to 10:00am. Result 1 fresh run grilse and 2 shad. Then canoes arrived and no chance. Endeavoured with some spinning on Courtfield which the owner kindly let me fish. 2 more Shad, one quite decent. However,amount of canoes put me off that as well.
The owner is very helpful and lovely to meet a man so keen on the river and salmon fishing. I was very happy to catch a fresh salmon on his section.
It's a lovely piece of fly fishing water but once the canoes arrive absolutely forget it.
Early morning is the time. But in holidays doubt that will get around the problem of the damn canoes.
The key to the fresh salmon grilse about 3 1/2 lbs was that downstream on the previous afternoon had reported fresh fish. The weather was ideal, light drizzle overnight which continued in showers whilst I was there.