Feedback & Reports

This was my second visit to this beat. Unfortunately it didn't match the first time I fished here but I did manage to pull 3 good sized barbel out, all 3 about 7lb. I still enjoyed the fishing here and will be back again.

3 Barbel, 1 Chub

River still up and a little coloured. Barbel fell to both trotting and ledger fishing.

8 Barbel

Fantastic day's fishing. Overcast with a little colour in the water. Fish caught on 8mm pellets.

6 Barbel, 3 Chub

Blisteringly hot day with blue skies, we had no problem with locating fish or watching them take free offerings, however they were not playing ball with hookbaits and we struggled throughout the entire stretch.
Many canoes..!

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

Moved swim many several times to find the fish. Many of the Barbel were small. Lovely stretch of water. We will return again

8 Barbel, 2 Chub

River low. Had to work hard to catch these fish

2 Barbel, 3 Chub

The last of five days on Howcaple first three days river carrying some colour and overcast barbel feeding well, then colour dropped out and weather got hot and sunny best times early morning and evening, all fish caught on pellet and hemp in feeder, best two barbel 8lb and 9lb all fish fought as only Wye barbel do with savage bites and powerful first runs heart stopping stuff. This outing gave a good chance to try my new mark Tunley 1.75lb dark carbon barbel rod great action and superb build quality, if you are looking for a new rod check out his web site, looking forward to my next visit to the lovely river Wye.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

Nice parking by the trees with an easy 150 yd walk to the river in the middle of the stretch. Decided to find the gulley at the top end of the fishery. Could find no deep water with any flow at the top end. Water levels slightly low but normal summer level. Then walked the stretch looking for swims combining features with flow. These are all at the downstream end and only the last swim is a large tranquil salmon pool. All the flow and features are on your bank. The opposite bank is low and has many comfortable shingle beaches to fish from. The farmer was digging gravel from the river using a a small digger when I fished. Quite a few people fishing the opposite bank and casting to your bank. Not a real problem on the day I fished but I suppose it could be. It wasn't until I met the other angler booked on the beat that my luck changed. From Oxfordshire he clearly knew the section well and was generous with his advice. My luck changed quickly and soon had 3 nice barbel - two at 8lb, one slightly smaller and I lost one when the hook pulled when the fish was beaten and under the bank. I didn't see the other angler again as he went off for lunch but I am very grateful. As all the depth is under your bank you need to be careful as deep water can be off the rod tip. To net the fish I had to sit at the top of the bank and then use a 3 piece landing net to reach the fish. I also used a rope to trail into the water just in case I fell in!
Great stretch if you like near bank work and can put up with a few anglers on the far bank.

3 Barbel, 1 Chub

6 Barbel