Feedback & Reports

Talk about a game of two halves!!
Having arrived in the dark and it being pouring with rain I plonked myself in the first swim at the end of the tree line path, I got myself sorted , brolley up and cast in quite close in just to experiment , I continued with meat on a size 10 as I did ok on at Fownhope 5 , I then reached for my phone and with that my rod arched over and I was caught totally off guard , I connected with a Barbel but the clever thing shed the hook. Nothing more in same area for half an hour so I tried mid river , within seconds rod went again , another Barbel, a slip on the mud and another hook shed, I quickly re cast and another quick bite , connection and shed hook!! I chose to go up to 8 but no more bites , I moved down a swim then up a swim but just a few Chub taps , after 6 hours I finally scored a 3 1/2lb Chub, after a lovely conversation with the very nice Gamekeeper.
Then as rain had stopped I chose to make the trek to the hut end which amounted in another 3 1/2lb Chub but no Barbel, after an hour I chose to re trek back to first swim to 'bait and wait ', after 2 hours I banked an 8.12, then a 6.10, a 7.2, an Eel and just as dark a 6.12!!! Well chuffed!! No monsters but cracking fights and such beautiful colours on these exquisite animals, the day was saved , and to think I was going to eBay my gear at lunchtime and go home !
The Wye has quickly turned into my favourite river I have fished , the WUF have organised the fishing amazingly and securely , and the wildlife / beauty of this whole river is second to none , with Red Kites, Buzzards, Kingfishers and Herons entertaining me in my quiet periods .....these two sessions have been two of my favourites of my life , thank you WUF and please please can you move your river and these amazing Barbel to East Anglia !!

4 Barbel, 2 Chub, 1 Other

River dropped over night and was much clearer. We caught throughout the day on a number of methods from several swims. Lovely beat although access to swims is a bit treacherous in wet conditions

16 Barbel, 1 Chub

Much better conditions allowing for all methods to be used. We had a good day with fish feeding all day. One large eel about 4lb killed one swim but fish were moving throughout the beat. Parking good and day access made for a great day

16 Barbel, 1 Chub, 1 Other

The last day of the week on How Caple early part was slow due to hot weather and low summer level , after heavy rain friday night the river rose three feet and coloured only two or three swims left to fish but results were good best fish of the week 8lb 2oz followed by two mid sevens rest average wye fish 5-6lb range ,if you vist the wye when it has rained be sure to bring a dog spike and long rope as it makes getting in and out of slippery muddy banks much safer ,looking forward to my next wye adventure (.sorry about late posting my second week was spent travelling with no wi-fi ).

11 Barbel

Feeder and pellets were the method. Had a great day, game keeper was very friendly

7 Barbel

2 Barbel

With the river rising and some decent colour from the overnight rain, I was hoping for a decent day. With lots of floating weed and storm debris I found a peg with a fallen branch upstream that created a clear run and slower current in the deeper inside channel. I started off feeding regular small amounts of hemp, tares and 4/6mm pellets and decided to have a few hours trotting a large crystal avon for smaller fish before switching to the feeder for some lumps. Had a little trouble controlling the float with a very strong downstream wind, but had fun, catching a few small chublets on banded pellet. When the pace of the river dictated, I switched to a 3g feeder packed with hali crush, pellets, corn, and hemp. Had an instant response, hooking a barbel that slowly plodded upstream and promptly headed, despite my efforts, under the sunken branch; first Wye barbel hooked and lost! An hour later and after another heart in the mouth battle, I thankfully landed my first Wye barbel and a very pleasing PB at 8lbs 8oz. After another hours wait, I landed his mate at 8lbs 4oz, like peas in a pod, very long, lean and mean. This was followed shortly afterwards by a 4lb chub, who unfortunately had seen better days. The river was now charging through and chocolate and after no more signs of fish, I decided to head off to the pub, a very happy chappy.
My first time on the Wye, a beautiful, magical place and one trip that I will remember forever, thanks WUF.

2 Barbel, 7 Chub

3 Barbel

late start duo to storms in the area fished 13.00 - 19.00 streamer weed caused lots of problems worst all week then wind picked up. terrible weather conditions and weed made it imposable to present a bait properly no fish caught. will return later in year as area is fantastic.

4 Barbel