Feedback & Reports

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

Despite the near perfect conditions we only caught 2 small trout. Very few fish showing which was a shame after the reports of the last few days. Stayed late but no rise, great location wading was good under the bridge and on
The camp site bank, will definitely return to try to catch the evening rise. Thanks to fishery owner Barry who phone us to give instruction on the beat.

2 Trout

An interesting day on a beat we're familiar with. Water level low'ish at 0.5 metre. Chine looked attractive and early in the day a salmon of 8-10 lb jumped clear on the side opposite the caravan park. Spinning with Mepps spoons brought out two fish, later identified as Shad, at approx. 1 lb and 2.5 lb. These were both safely returned, as was one suicidal and very small wild brown trout. Late in the day we met a friendly beat regular, David, from whom we learnt much.

1 Trout, 2 Other

A relatively short beat but with a variety of fishing pools. Rain forecast over the previous weekend did not materialise and in consequence the river remained at summer level. I concentrated on using small salmon covering all pools above the Chainbridge - easy wading at low level conditions. I could imagine it would be more difficult in higher water levels! Although I didn't see a fish nor have a pull I thoroughly enjoyed myself. For trout fishers there are some good sized brownies in the stretch.

Lovely day no wind but low for salmon at .54m. John Lewis fished from midday for trout only and landed 4 trout, one sea trout of 1.5lb and one small par.
I fished the evening session starting at woodstream with a team of small spiders getting a couple of knocks but none on. Switched to dry fly upstream at the tail of Chine Pool with a size 12 sedge which immediately produced fish of good size from three quarters pound to 1.75lb (17inches). All 6 fish fell to the sedge between 20.30 and 21.15. Great sport.

11 Trout, 1 Sea Trout

Started off at Sweets Tackle shop in Usk-this is a MUST place to visit -lovely owner and great non expensive items for any fly fishing methods. River was perfect but....no fish.
Lovely beat especially upstream opposite the caravan site.

Arrived at midday, the river looked very nice, a little lower than on my previous visit. Watched the water for a while but saw no fish rising despite a few varied flies coming off. Found a few fish rising eventually and managed to take a small brown trout off the surface on a dry fly which is always nice. I was determined to fish a dry fly as fish were rising on and off during the day and I did miss a few takes but despite my best efforts no more fish were caught. I'm finding I tend to struggle a little on the bigger rivers so maybe some guiding would be helpful.

1 Trout

Arrived at midday, the river looked very nice, a little lower than on my previous visit. Watched the water for a while but saw no fish rising despite a few varied flies coming off. Found a few fish rising eventually and managed to take a small brown trout off the surface on a dry fly which is always nice. I was determined to fish a dry fly as fish were rising on and off during the day and I did miss a few takes but despite my best efforts no more fish were caught. I'm finding I tend to struggle a little on the bigger rivers so maybe some guiding would be helpful.

1 Trout

Fished for salmon initially from top run through the rockpool to the chine with no takes using a cascade pattern brass tube and intermediate line. Water level steady at .61m. Not much rise of trout through the afternoon. Switched to a team of spiders for trout from 4.30 in woodstream landing 3 trout of around half pound all on partridge and orange spider. Switched from nymph on point to sparsely tied March Brown spider. Immediately into a big trout which jumped clear several times before tearing off line. Looked silvery so prepared for a battle. Took 20 minutes to land what turned out to be a 2 lb seatrout. A good day!!

3 Trout, 1 Sea Trout