Feedback & Reports

The second of three days on Wyebank and had a quick fish in the morning before the procession of canoeists started. Managed a nice 7.5lb barbel and a small chub before breakfast. The river was very low and barbel could be seen in some of the more upstream shallower areas either feeding or possibly spawning. Although the canoeists tend to be a bit noisy and disruptive the fish seem to return almost straight away. I didn't fish again until early evening and this tactic seemed to pay off as soon as the sun went down the fish became far more confident and practically pulled the rod in several times. I used feeders and longish hook links with pellets or homemade meaty boilies for hookbaits. Only one minor problem was a gentleman arriving and electing to fish opposite the swim I had been occupying but after he was educated by Don about the finer points of practical geography he made his way elsewhere to leave me in peace to catch yet more great barbel and chub. This really is a great stretch, not only because of the fish but because you have the place to yourself, once the canoeists have thinned out!

8 Barbel, 6 Chub

The first of three days on Wyebank. Arrived to find the river very low and clear. Didn't start to fish until late afternoon but after a short spell trotting a float through some nice looking areas with some minor success (2x small chub) starting fishing the now famous bottom pool. This time of year this area can be fantastic and it didn't disappoint. Every cast resulted in a fish. A complete cross section of different sizes, all immaculate and hard fighting. A particularly nice chub at just under 5lb and barbel ranging from 4lb to 8lb. All caught on homemade boilies or pellets using feeders and long hook links.

5 Barbel, 7 Chub

Great afternoon and evening session on the bottom pool of wye bank. Started within 5 seconds of casting out and then frantic action, a fish a cast. After 20 plus fish on free lined meat and pellet I couldn't help think I had fished it out as no bites in the last two hours. Moved up steam for a few more. No monsters but barbel to 6lb and chub to 4lb.
No weed this year in the river and relatively snag free. Look at Trabucco-uk.com blog for photos if interested. Thanks to Don who runs the beat. No Salmon seen.

14 Barbel, 10 Chub

Started on the float and centrrpin and had 3 nice chub to 4lb. After 45 minutes I decided to fish the feeder and after a few casts building up the swim I had my 1st barbel after 5 mins. I then caught steadily until mid day when the increase in boat traffic stopped the fish feeding for a while. They came back on the feed at 3pm and I fished until 8.30 when I ran out of bait. I've been fishing the rivers for the last 10 years and this is the best day I've ever had - 26 fish, 20 Barbel and 6 Chub and on Fathers Day too, brilliant fishing.

20 Barbel, 6 Chub

Another fun day on Wyebank with 35 fish on the bank. We arrived a couple of hours before first light and whilst sitting it out on the bank, awaiting daybreak, we witnessed a pair of otters feeding in the pool. Fished from first light until 8pm and had fish throughout the day but with the bulk of the action coming before 11am and after 4pm. Barbel included two at 8lb 14oz, three +6lb, one +5lb and the rest mostly in the 3-4lb range. The Chub went to 4lb 8oz. To keep the bites coming we had to loose feed pellet and hemp regularly and change methods. We caught on open-ended feeder with pellets and groundbait or scalded pellets moulded around grippa leads. Successful hook baits included Hinders Elips, Bait-Tec Hybrid barbel, Sticky Baits The Krill boilies wrapped in matching paste and scalded Halibut pellets. We struggled to get bites when it was raining or when the sun was shining directly on the run. Canoes were out in force from 11am to 4pm with long periods where we were forced to rest the swim.

15 Barbel, 10 Chub

Perfect summer flow conditions for the bottom pool which fished well early and late with barbel to 8lb and chub to 5lb. Also enjoyed trotting a float on faster water on the far side past the island which produced some good barbel and chub on the centrepin. Most fish to pellets but with meat also doing well. Don't pack away too early, the best fish came at last knockings! Lovely start to the season.

24 Barbel, 28 Chub

Started fishing at 5am and was in to fish almost straight away. I caught steadily until packing in at 3pm
it did slow a bit once the canoes arrived but not too much. Fished both feeder/pellet and trotted a float. The feeder was the most productive but catching on the float is much more enjoyable. It was great to be back on moving water doing proper fishing. Many thanks to Don and the WUF.

10 Barbel, 22 Chub

So, glorious 16th June arrives. Unfortunately the fishing was not so glorious. Arrived at 5am. River looked real good. A little low and clear but well fishable. I have fished this stretch a few times now and had some amazing days and a few iffy ones. Unfortunately today was to be an iffy one.
It was around 3 hours in before the first bite which turned out to be a 2lb chub closely followed by another. It was then another 3 hours before the first Barbel arrived for my son, then he had another on the next cast. Both about 5lbs. We thought this was it and the fish had finally moved in. Not so.
We really struggled all day just to get bites. Using feeder tactics, pva bags on the lead, all manor of baits on the hook and varying the presentation. We also donned the chest waders and had a couple of hours trotting which produced a couple more chub and a lost Barbel.
This is a cracking stretch, and I am sure very soon someone will hit it right and have a cracking day. Unfortunately it was not today. I will be back soon to seek vengeance.

4 Barbel, 4 Chub

Just had the most exciting morning fishing Wyebank - went out early, no signs, went back 9 and after 9.30 had a 10 pounder bottom pool and as I was playing it a fish porpoised and for the next 10 minutes or so fish like peas in a pod were porpoising through with one significant prince/princess amongst them which actually looked like a porpoise! Had another 10lb fish after they had passed and then a hook pull on another. Only fished the one pool for a couple of hours in all and then went back again midday fished the Wyebank run and lost another. size 8 black and yellow pinched barbs. Needless to say fresh fish in superb condition. Not a canoe to be seen all morning, brilliant, perfect level and clear with strong running water. Summer level.

2 Salmon

I didn't fish in the end - the prospect of arriving to find a 2-3 foot rise of dirty cold water peaking at exactly when I was due to fish didn't exactly inspire me with confidence. I've fished through those conidtions before and whilst sometimes you catch, it can feel a little bit like a war of attrition with the current and the rubbish coming down the water. I'm hoping the catch reports from other beats don't prove me wrong... But if they do, then fair play to them (from a fair weather fisherman!)
Roll on June!