Feedback & Reports

Got to the river at about 10am. The river was quite low (0.5m on the gauge) and gin clear. I started at the top and worked my way down the beat on the caravan park side. Not a peep, apart from, bizarrely, a silver scale on the hook from wood stream. Lunch in the pub and then investigated below the bridge. Again, very quiet, although I saw the first salmon jumps by the wires at about 2.30 pm. And then, at about 5pm everything changed. Back up at the Rock pool, salmon started jumping. I turned a good fish in the throat of Rock pool, switched to a red FC and then about 20 yards below the fallen tree a coloured 15lb cock fish took. While playing it, it scared an identical fish that I had evidently just waded past, which shot into the air not 6 feet from me and gave me the shock of my life. Safely landed it swam away happily. As the fish were still showing so I went down the pool again. Same spot, not 10 minutes after the first, another fish was on. Another kyped, coloured cock fish, this time of about 8lbs. I've never caught more than one salmon in a day and most often catch nothing so a red letter day for me! Thanks too to Barry for his considered advice on the phone too. To the 2016 season!

2 Salmon

My first attempt at salmon fishing, I didnt expect to be lucky enough to catch one, which I didnt. Started at the top of the beat, and immediately saw a salmon splashing mid river. On one pool an enormous salmon came out of the water to my right just a few yards away, totally inspired now!
Saw several other salmon throughout the day obviously picked the right day. Will be back to try again!

No fish caught but lots of fish showing in the afternoon.

Arrived at 8 a.m. river perfect height 0.75 m and falling slowly but carrying too much colour at first. Both rods fished hard on Upper and Lower Rock. Had a hard take from a feisty 3/4 lb brownie which had me fooled for more than a couple of seconds in the current.
Went below the bridge and landed a 12lb cock fish in full tartan (Cameron of Loch Eil pattern!) on a very large Feeler Cascade tube. Swam off strongly to fulfil his destiny. Had another good pull by cables but didn't stay on.
Marked a showing fish for L.T. fishing on Garry Evans opposite bank. It promptly took his Flying C and set off on an angry run downstream followed by a leap out of the water. It was at least in the high teens but unfortunately came off.
Lovely sport on a glorious Autumn day. Prospects excellent for tomorrow's rods.

1 Salmon, 1 Trout

Fished Wednesday evening 0.9 on the gauge not a pull. Unable to book a rod on Thursday... Fished hard all day Friday 0.6 on the gauge. Not a sausage. "You needed to be here yesterday" obviously. The irony will not be lost on regular rods at Chainbridge.

No fish caught, no fish seen moving.

A very quiet day on the river. Saw no salmon; tried fly and spinner almost everywhere North of the bridge, all without even a tug. Water level 530 and stable through the day.

No fish caught or seen; fly fished the morning with a variety of sink tips and poly leaders.

Salmon appeared at 6.30pm. One lost to a spinner for my colleague initially and then a 15lb cock salmon to me on an orange and black tube as the pod of fish moved up through the pool on a small lift in the river level.
Hopes were high for Tuesday. The river had risen by 40 cm to 1 m on Chainbridge gauge over night. So we decided to clear the bank until the river fined down a bit, whereupon I disturbed a bees nest . 5 stings later to face and arm and a rapid feeling of being unwell, itching and hives appearing , I was sped to the A+E in Abergavenny. After antihistamines, a steroid drip and 6 hours of great care, I felt much better and begged for release. The river was perfect now. My friends fished for the last hour , again one lost to the spinner.
Unmeasurable thanks to those that saved this soul. I shall return !

1 Salmon

River low but a couple of fish about. Old resident at rock under the bank above the fallen tree. Nothing seen in wood stream. I had a brief encounter with a fish below the bridge opposite the pub but it was never really hooked.