Feedback & Reports

A very odd day. I fished the beat twice from top to bottom between 11 and 6.30pm and the only rise I saw all day was a 2" fish ineptly missing a Mayfly in the shallows of the junction pool. The chaffinches nesting next to the "wall pool" were filling up nicely on the Mays taken from the surface even if the trout weren't. Also plenty of Yellow Mays and Medium Olives about. I fish this beat fairly often and usually a few will rise to a speculatively cast dry in the usual places but there was nothing at all today. Two nice 8" fish to hand and a third much bigger fish lost, embarrassingly, due to a poor knot - all on a goldhead PTN from deep fast water at the heads of pools.

2 Trout

The river was very low, and flow was slow in the pools. Weather conditions were bright and sunny, although the temperature was lower than the previous couple of days. No fish were observed moving, despite mayfly hatching.
There was also a considerable amount of silt on the rocks and stones on the riverbed, indicating run-off upstream has been carrying a significant amount of soil into the river.

Lots of fly life but most rises seemed to be fry. Persisted with the dry too long. Eventually went to the dark side and switched to a Walkers Mayfly Nymph and took 3 WBT from where the Escley joins.

3 Trout

A couple of hours between 3 and 5: the river was slightly coloured but the weather, blue skies and cloud was promising. A few mayflies were coming off, not as many as yesterday but enough to interest the fish. Four trout to 12 inches on Mayfly and mayfly nymph.

4 Trout

Went to Lower Longtown in search of the Mayfly which I found in abundance. Arrived at about 13.00 having been delayed on M40 from London, beautiful day, sunny with cloud. Some Mayfly coming off when I arrived and increased as afternoon went on. A few rising fish, a couple in very pool, as I worked my way up the beat. Fished dry with small May and size 14/16 Grey Wulf. A good number of slashing rises which, frustratingly, I missed. Two 8/10 inch fish and a couple of nice 12 inchers. Probably would have had more luck with Mayfly nymph but had none in my fly box.

4 Trout

A late afternoon session on this favourite beat produced 9 fish fairly rapidly, then all action ceased and despite the amazing amount of fly life on the river, the fish were nowhere to be found. Having decided to call it a day and head off for the Crown inn for some good beer and a fine evening meal, surprisingly caught one more trout on the last cast. Still a favourite beat!

10 Trout

Tenkara klink & dink, first section up from Olchon is a joy to fish easy wading over flat bedrock that would put many a pavement to shame - caught most of 7 wbt here, none very large. Middle section pools met same camping party as mentioned by PL on Saturday, can't really begrudge people enjoying the environment. Lots of fish rising so the trout weren't bothered by campers, more down to inept fishing with an audience - a tree every other cast. Try again another day.
Top section from below footbridge up is hard going over broken bedrock in coloured water, with livestock fences every 20 yds and lots of barbed wire climbing to get around them - holed waders wet leg so gave up before end. Nice beat but access could be a tad less challenging - they're sheep not deer - although I met the couple who farm the middle/top sections on a previous recce & they are nice friendly & interested.

7 Trout

Beautiful morning for fishing, water clear, good height / flow and massive may flies all over the place. Only downside was large number of noisy campers and children playing in one of the better pool series of this beat - perhaps to be expected on a fine bank holiday weekend! Still, small price to pay for a very enjoyable few hours. 1 decent 10" and others all around the 6" mark. Missed several.

4 Trout

Started fishing at 11am and after sitting for half an hour at the first pool from the parking spot saw a fish rising and took him on a winged Greenwell's Glory #16. 9" WBT. Hatches of what looked like March Browns throughout the day with some mayfly. No other fish to hand but many missed takes and 1/2 a dozen shook off. Wonderful sunny day.

1 Trout

Great 4 hours in the morning, water low but nice conditions. Two 6" Browns and a nice but unlooked for Grayling - released in water but looked about a good 1lb fish. Hooked other small Browns but not quick enough on the retrieve and all wriggled free. All on small just sub surface emerger pattern. Very few rising fish - saw half a dozen or so, all within a 1 hour slot.

2 Trout, 1 Grayling