Feedback & Reports

A stunning beat with good access. We fished mainly upstream of the line of trees and battled very high temperatures, bright sunlight and high pressure all day. Despite this the padawan winkled out two beautiful barbel including a PB of 8/6 while the "master" just roasted in the sun. The usual tactics were successful (for one) and everything bar the kitchen sink failed for the other. We saw a couple of anglers on the opposite bank but each gave the other space and respect. Overall a truly wonderful 3 days on the majestic Wye - now an established annual pilgrimage from West Yorkshire - long may it continue. Huge thanks to WUF - undoubtedly one of our hero organisations in an uncertain world.

2 Barbel

River level dropping. Lost a lot of fish in the rocks and also a lot of feeders. Enjoyable, peaceful fishing on a lovely beat. Car was safe all day. Lots of canoes coming down and nearly all moved over to the far bank when they saw us. A most enjoyable day but possibly disappointing number of barbel. No one else fishing on far bank which was a bonus.

9 Barbel, 8 Chub

Fished middle of the afternoon. Very picturesque stretch. Will return.

5 Barbel, 3 Chub

4 Barbel, 6 Chub

Our first visit to this beat but likely not the last. Access is easy, we parked through the gate next to the tree line. We then walked the upper part of the beat, PH slected a swim with a lovely crease one or two to the left of the tree line whilst JC headed upstream close to the beat limit and selected a swim with deep water just a couple of rod lengths out. We never managed to explore further downstream, but it didn't seen as though there were as many swims in that direction (and the ones we did see just looked too tempting!!). River was high and coloured.
Starting around 8.30, early signs were good, PH netted a chub and then 2 barbel (one a lovely new PB at 8.14) from the crease, JC meanwhile had 3 barbel from the just beyond the rod top in the upper swim.
As so often happens, things slowed down in the middle of the day, with the exception of 3 meat-munching eels in JC's swim. Mid afternoon it switched back on, PH taking 2 more barbel. JC's swim seemed to be rather quiet, so a move to the swim nearest the tree line paid dividends as from around 4pm - 6pm, a quick succession of 4 barbel found the net. In the same period, PH was left to mull on what might have been as a succession of 3 consecutive lost fish (hookpull, nearbank snag and a sticky clutch) made good their escape during this feeding period.
Nearly all the fish bar the eels came to pellets beneath a groundbait feeders. Eels preferred meat.
Seen mention of the opposite bank being busy, we didn't see a soul apart from one gentleman spinning for salmon (who I believe may have been a bailiff anyway). Maybe a combination of it being Monday coupled with the high water conditions helped? Only saw a handful of canoes too, all polite and considerate.
In these high water conditions I think this beat fished well, all of the swims we tried produced fish and it did make me think that a roving approach may have scored better. We both lost fish and with the exception of that quiet bit in the middle, it always felt as if something was just about to happen.
Just a final word on our accommodation - we stayed at The Falcon House in How Caple, and were very impressed! Very attentive but easy-going owners, great communications before and during our stay, a most magnificent fry-up in the morning to see us on our way, and very close to several WUF beats. I would highly recommend this excellent establishment to any visiting anglers.
WUF Note: Please see [url=http://www.thefalconhouse.co.uk/]here[/url] for details of The Falcon House B&B.

11 Barbel, 2 Chub, 3 Other

Only 1 rod fished. 5 chub on cheese paste.

4 Chub

Arrived at 6am, disappointed with lack of detail with regards to parking. Started fishing for the barbel, plenty of chub bites but nothing landed. 45 mins heavy downpour and the river rose over 6 inch in 30 mins so packed up at 12 and drove home due to the weather. Lovely stretch though and will definitely return

We had a great day on the Wye again but fishing was slow. The river looked good but unfortunately the barbel would not play so chub were the only fish caught despite trying a few swims. We fished until dark but it made no difference. Still a great venue and after all it is called fishing not catching. Thanks Wye Usk will be back. MH Standish.

5 Chub

Beautiful spot easy to access, and plenty of swims to choose from. Most swims very pacey and you do have a private club fishing the opposite back, but they seem very friendly. Lots of good chub bites came all day from all the swims I fished. Just be warned, parking is very limited as you can't park in the middle car parking area due to the field full of cows so only 1 parking space at the bottom end of the beat.

1 Barbel, 10 Chub

First time on this beautiful beat. Walked the length and chose an area to target that looked good for the conditions, up about one foot.
We fished on groundbait feeder and pellet and got plenty of chub action with the occasional barbel appearance. The chub really did scrap hard today too. Best barbel was weighed and it went 9lb 2oz. Wildlife today included kingfisher, buzzard, mandarin duck with chicks, reed bunting, sparrowhawk, long tailed tits, heron to name a few. Plenty of swims to go at here and all well strimmed so access is good along the bank.

5 Barbel, 11 Chub