Feedback & Reports

Like yesterday, another tough day when the barbel didn't feed with any enthusiasm. 4 barbel to 7lb 5oz ,a couple of chub and a nice eel of a couple of pounds. All fish taken on feeder and pellets.

4 Barbel, 2 Chub

Somewhat diappointed that none of the banks had been cut and access to the swims was very difficult.

Arrived early Monday morning rain fell for the first couple of hours in which the river rose slightly which aided catching our first few fish in the first couple of hours. Caught Barbel ranging from 7lb 6oz to 8lb 4oz and Chub from 2lb to 4 1/4lb all caught on pellet. Fishing dried up in the afternoon.

3 Barbel, 6 Chub

1 Chub

No Salmon caught. 6 x large Shad hooked on spinner.
Found it difficult to get a fly in the water due to the constant flow of canoeists passing by. Then to make things worse, one capsized right in front me and waded right back up the fly run at wyebank thinking the whole thing was a laugh.
I said something to him that made him get out my swim promptly.(I spoke to the Beat Owner Don at the river and he asked me to report this to the Wye and Usk Foundation and the EA). Our day was pretty well spoiled after a 200 mile round trip. I will only fish the Usk in the future.

WUF Note: Wye fisheries from Hay downstream to Monmouth can be subject to heavy canoe traffic at this time of year, especially at weekends. Our advice is to fish early and late in the day or if this isn't practical, book a beat that is outside a right of navigation.

First day Salmon fishing, many thanks to Don Macer-Wright for the excellent casting instruction and information on Wyebank and Courtfield beats, early pm at bottom of Courtfield had a take on a small orange shrimpy type of fly that put a substantial bend in my rod, unfortunatley after taking off down stream came straight back at me like an express train and I couldn't keep up so it dropped the barbless hook.

At about 20.00hrs a small but very active salmon of less than 10lbs caught on a small pink/silver flying C with one ounce extra weight 18 inches up line to hold deep. Caught 20yds below little willow and hooked midstream. Released off the single barbless hook in the water and fish swam away fast.

1 Salmon

Lost a good fish wednesday evening, 20.45hrs, at the top of the run in to the run past the willow. Tail of boat? It wasn't on long as it took right at the end of the rod in 14 inches of water and went straight upstream! I was so surprised to see it all happen I didn't tighten quick or hard enough and the hooks eventually came out after it had shot across the river. Very fresh 12-14lbs.

06.30 to 08.30am. Fished lower pools of Courtfield, bit of extra water on so put the 20gm black and silver flying c back on line. 1 very active salmon of around 14lb, from eddy of pool at bottom of steel steps within 5yds of near bank and just behind crib. Tailed it and single barbless hook fell out. When released it swam off fast downstream. 1 jack pike from same area.
The single hook snags less weed, is better for fish and all takes so far have been hooked. Anglers going down steps need to approach with care as fish in this position could be easily spooked

1 Salmon, 1 Pike

Conditions very bright even at dawn.