Feedback & Reports

Slow going on a very hot Saturday morning, a few chub and eels showing. Late afternoon was better with barbel up to ten pound and chub to 3 or 4 pound. Sunday a few more chub and barbel but generally even slower than Saturday. There are supposedly 11 pegs on this beat but barely 6 or 7 are useable and if it rains probably only 4 or 5 because of the precipitous nature of the bank. Also car parking is now restricted and if you haven't got a 4 by 4 you'll have a heck of a job parking near the line of trees.

10 Barbel, 10 Chub, 8 Other

A sweltering day with the river running low and clear. The fish took some finding, but generally came regularly throughout the day. Most fish caught on small pellets glued to the hair, rather than single larger pellets.
Largest 7lb 8oz. Most 5lb - 7lb, with one small barbel of around 12oz.

15 Barbel, 4 Chub

Stuning beat with good access and parking. Fished the middle section just off the tree line, it was a baking hot sunny day so not ideal conditions but after a while bites became frequent.
Barbel were hard to find however we had lots of chub bites on pellet, changed to luncheon meat later in the day, bited became less frequesnt but that when the barbel arrived.
A thoroughly enjoyable day with lots of swims to choose from, we will definately return to this section.

2 Barbel, 12 Chub

Another roasting day fished feeder and pellet on a fining down river had 4 eels on pellet hook bait. Had to work all day and many swims to keep steady action but most had in the morning. Plenty of anglers on the far bank but no problems at all. Another great day on the wye , thanks wuf.

10 Barbel, 8 Chub, 4 Other

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