Feedback & Reports

River in nice condition having cleared after rain in the preceding week. Colder than forecast with stiff breeze / wind - limited insect activity but some fish rising. Missed several takes and eventually landed small 6" trout and hooked another, both on nymph below a generic upwing dry pattern dropper.

1 Trout

Fished the double bank section from 15.15 to 18.30hrs.Good water conditions, and despite the forecast a fine early evening, following light and patchy showers; a troublesome north east wind, however.
Plentiful fly for the first hour (surprisingly large dark olives, and the occasional may), but they petered out as the afternoon progressed. The water was still cold for late May, noticeable through my thigh waders. This could explain the absence of surface feeding fish; I did not see a single rise.
So I persevered with a size 16 ptn, working to improve my stealth wading skills, while watching and waiting. My 8 foot 4 weight rod was probably 6 inches too long, but I would not go below 7ft here. A net is unnecessary in my view, since beaching a more substantial fish than usual would be easy in most places. The wading was fine even for this unsteady septuagenarian.
It is an attractive, well maintained and accessible beat, to which I shall be pleased to return sometime. I thoroughly enjoyed not falling in, not tearing my waders on barbed wire, not breaking my rod, not mislaying my car keys; and not catching any trout!

Afternoon only so just fished top half. Warm and sunny, some rising fish, a dozen or so caught - most average size, but 2 around 10" one over 12". Water seemed pretty low for this time of year. Lots of fly life in the evening (after 5.00).

12 Trout

Great hatch over midday of fine sunny day - caught a fine 12 in brown on a small klinkhammer.

1 Trout

Tough going in chocolate coloured water on a fast flow off the hills. Flow too much for 11 year old in waders so wading staff was well used. No fish seen or caught on either dry or nymph. A lovely beat but overnight rain will have done for us.

Nice sunny spells but still cold, stream very clear now. Intermittent hatch but saw only 1 small trout rise twice in quick succession, no other trout seen nor any interested in my nymphs. However, in the last pool where the Escley joins I had a firm pull on a small gold head GRHE, followed by a strong fight from a good looking 14" Grayling that was returned safely.

1 Grayling

Had two fish on but both came unstuck. The water was fishable but a bit coloured. There were some Large Dark Olives hatching

Trout quarter to three quarter pounds, all taken in succession in same pool - klinkhammer. Weather cool cloudy bright, light showers.. Surprised how low the river was, considering the recent rain.

3 Trout

The river was as low as I have seen it, crystal clear and very sluggish. The day was overcast with little fly life showing, there was the occasional rising fish. Caught 2 small trout, one on dry and one on nymph. You may wish to know I saw clear evidence that someone had been fishing in one of the lower pool using luncheon meat and sweetcorn, also a spinner was caught in the trees on the opposite bank.
WUF Note: Thank you for the information, which we will pass on to the fishery owner.

2 Trout

Only fished for two hours due to family committments but had an enjoyable time - until the heavens opened up - then I was caught out without a proper jacket. Used a 3wt 7ft rod and klink and dink setup. Every fish came to the klink so after three fish the nymph was removed. I used this trip to put into practice some techniques shown to me by Oliver Burch on a visit to the Monnow in July. There appears to be some building works taking place on the early stages of the beat with a digger on the bank and plenty of hardcore in the river. It did not upset the fishing - unlike the rain - and all the fish were in pristine condition.

7 Trout