Feedback & Reports

This beat has lots of variety for trout and salmon fishing. I saw all of it, and I tried and waded up much of that which was possible before the water level rose. I spent most of my time prospecting for trout using a 9ft 4wt rod and dry flies only - my choice as I also had spiders and nymphs with me, as well as more powerful and longer rods. It was cloudy and rather cold all day, with a strong upstream wind, and a little rain in the breeze. There were a couple of short hatches around me as I waded, but I saw very few rises – even in the long, smooth and still glides - apart from a couple of obvious big splashes in deep water off the wooded bank. I only caught two modest trout and, to be honest, one of them caught me. However, I really enjoyed fishing this lovely river, and getting to know the beat, and I would certainly like to fish here again – probably with a single handed salmon rod made up too. The very helpful owner of the beat phoned me before I started fishing to give me some tips, and he also called during my fishing, to thoughtfully warn me about a head of water heading my way – which I greatly appreciated. He had been watching the gauges and saw the flow of water coming downstream after yesterday's rain. The river started crystal clear, but by the time I left as the light faded around 8:30pm the level appeared to have risen in a very short time by more than 18 inches, and turned a chocolate colour. By the way, it was 2am on the day of fishing when I decided to book this beat – so the WUF online booking service was just what I needed, thank you.

2 Trout

Only able to fish mid-morning to early afternoon, hard going due to warm and bright conditions, 4 brown trout 8-9".

4 Trout

Arrived at 5.30 a.m. after very early start. Was dismayed to find the river at 0.55m on the gauge after 0.72 m the day before. Shame on the W.W.A. for pumping such an obscene volume of water from the river. Is this allowed? River had a beautiful tint but flow too slow to work a fly below the bridge.
Hooked a salmon on Rock pool at 7.30 a.m. on a Reverend Mole, (See letter by Jean Williams Sept T+S for info on pattern) but it came off two minutes later after a couple of good runs.
An hour later had a good take on upper Rock but it didn't stick. Just two 1/2 lb brownies safely returned. Retired defeated to fish on lower river later in the evening.

2 Trout

Nice weather for fishing and nice river but good equipment needed. The river was quite big due to latest rains. Fish were rising in the evening but didn't bite except one small brown trout which was safely returned.

1 Trout

Arrived at around 8am with the river looking in fine fettle, started fishing and within half an hour my companion Steve knight had a fine brown trout of 2lb caught on a claret and silver Abu tormentor fishing for salmon. I meanwhile was fishing between the platforms and the rock pool and hooked and lost a salmon on the fly, my first time out with the double handed! My companion had a couple more trout on the same Abu lure and we stopped for lunch, we started again fishing below the bridge and straight away Steve knight had a slightly coloured salmon of around 4lb which was returned, this was very quickly followed by another 7.5lb salmon also by Steve both caught on the Abu tormentor! He then lost a good fish up past the cables which I estimated to be well into the mid teens, again on the same Abu lure!! We then decided to celebrate with a pint in the recently opened chain bridge public house, which I think will do well with anglers fancying a sup after a satisfying days fishing. We finished the day off up by the rock pool and guess what? Another salmon of around 8lb caught and released by Steve knight and his claret and silver Abu tormentor!!
That was the end of a fantastic days fishing 3 salmon 2 lost and numerous decent brownies, all caught by my companion and his tormentor lure,
Thanks Barry for talking me into going at 10pm the previous evening!!

3 Salmon

Water levels low, and rained hard all day. Managed to turn a good fish in the 'chines', but didn't hook up. Two small brownies later in the day. Lovely piece of water, access not to bad. The owner was kind enough to call me prior to fishing with a few hints and tips, and this made my selection of tackle and fly much easier. All in all a lovely beat, with a very helpful owner. I shall be returning.

2 Trout

Water as low and clear as can be possible. I fished with a 50+ year old split cane 7 ft rod and 6 weight dry line and managed two small par in the wood stream. John Phillips went to the top run and had a similar experience. This was from 7 -8.30.
John switched to rock and lost one beauty on a CDC and landed one of about half pound. I went in at the steps for last half hour while John fished tail of Chine Pool. I landed 5 between 9.30 and 10 all between half and three quarter pound, and lost several large fish in the rock cut. A very lively half hour. John had one small fish at the tail which was disappointing. Probably fish move from the belly up the cut to the faster flow at the rock as many large fish were feeding late on. Surprisingly good last half hour given the water conditions.

12 Trout

Great day, also added to my entomology knowledge, seeing the mayfly and sedge duns and spinners so clearly. Started at the bridge and waded upstream, there is a path through the woods on the east with several paths down to the river requiring a 10 foot climb, although there are rough 'steps'. Wood stream can be quite deep, and the path stops before Chine. Meant to stay longer, but left at 7pm, but will be coming back to discover Chine and Rock pools. Thoroughly enjoyable, but I find the first visit is a getting to know you session.

1 Trout

Since we had a bit of rain at the weekend I was hoping this would encourage some fish to move. Got to the beat in anticipation but found it was very quiet on the Salmon front. The river had risen slightly but in the bright sun it became quite apparent the water had zeroed out again. I did see a salmon jump in some slack water so probably a resident. Still a great stretch to fish with lower rocks potentially being the most productive pool. But while it was very quite for the salmon angler, the trout fisherman would have had a bonanza with brownies bouncing all over the place, well into the late evening.
Will definitely come back later in the season, following a spate.

Ridiculously hard at 0.4m and 18mph westerly blowing upstream. 7 par caught on emerger caddis on point and sedge on dropper. Some heavy blustery showers to contend with at regular intervals with threat of lightning so called it a day at 4. We need rain!!

7 Trout