Feedback & Reports

3 Trout

Bowled up at the lovely Whittern beat of the Arrow at about half seven, nice flow to it and very workable with the fresh water in the system at last! It's been a while since we've had a good bit of rain and this much needed rainfall over the last week on and off has livend up the Arrow a treat . . .

On to the fishing. Well as usual, I like to work a tiny Parachute dry and that's what I did for all the time I was there, alternating between a Para Adams and a Greenwells. Some lovely hard splashy takes this morning, especially between the two bridges.

Pocket water also producing some lovely little brownies this morning and even in the waders, water is nice and cold, spot on. Three crackers around the Titley bridge, one nearly leaping out it was so enthusiastic to grab the fly! The fresh water has certainly put a spring in the trout step. Aggressive hits on all the nine trout I brought to the net this morning. Four or five flumped strikes too. Was a lovely change and nice to be back on one of my local wild streams after having a ball for two sessions up at Craig Goch reservoir and one super morning at Claerwen, tweaking wets back in the wave with some lovely slamming hits by the Elan brownies.

A really fun three hours sport. Fish this morning ranging from six to eleven inches and as always, the gorgeous Arrow colouration, spot on. Back here soon, possibly after this gruesome storm has gone tommorrow, back home, some outdoor jobs before a visit to the dentist . . . . Joyous . . . . L.o.l !!!!

9 Trout

5 Chub

River quite high, just under 2ft in the Llanstephan gauge and carry a fair bit of colour. Not a day for the fly. Tried various spinners but no offers despite looking good for it.

The river was up, but falling slowly, with brown tinge and about 3ft vis'. There were a trickle of flies of several different species, all day. There were very few rises and no consistent rising fish. I guided Paul Dimery. He fished a dry fly for a large part of the day, after taking a trout on a nymph at the start. So figures, 3 trout, one on nymph, 2 on dry flies.

Lovely day weather wise and Wales looked spectacular.

3 Trout

Spent a morning fishing the Eastern Cleddau at Llawharden. The fishing is challenging in the best sense. Had a great time scrambling in and out of the water, made plentiful use of the wading staff and barely made a conventional overhead cast. Fished a duo with the dry fly as indicator and a bead head nymph underneath. All fish came to the nymph. As well as the 4 half pounders that came to hand, I lost 3 others so it was never dull. If, like me, you enjoy working out how you are going to get your flies into position when casting is difficult, then you will enjoy this stretch. I went home having had a great morning. Will definitely be back. PS all fish were returned.

4 Trout

Red letter day at Bideford brook. 26 WBT and 2 Roach to hand.

The water was very low and clear, despite the recent rains. Expected the fish to be easily spooked. Tried a different setup today; underlining my 3wt setup with 2DT line. Quite pleased when the line landed with almost no disturbance. On a beat with more space, a long rod w/ French leader would be a better option. When combined with Joe Humphreys’s “long-range” bow-and-arrow cast and a snail-pace-wading, I was able to get the fly to the fish in unfishable spots, without spooking them.

26WBT between 6” and 11”; no monster but great to have them by number. Around 10 took size 14 Klinkhammer and the rest took size 18 PTN, both fished single due to my lack of competent to cast a duo with bow-and-arrow. A little pain to have to constantly change them to suit the water but it was well worthed. The Roach took the nymph.

Also met quite a few people walking / dog-walking on the footpath. This was a little surprising, especially when intentionally picked a weekday with lousy weather. Spoke to a few, which turned out to be very nice and polite people. They mentioned the path got very popular as people wanted to stay local during the pandemic, including many dog walkers.

Great day and nice people around. Could not ask for more!

26 Trout, 2 Other

Lovely day on the Wye only managed a couple of Chub today both on halibut pellet . Better luck next time

2 Chub

Upon arrival I found a fast stretch of water pushing through after rain. After plumbing around I found a 3ft hole and a crease in the fast flow. I just managed to hold bottom with 4oz feeders on the inside. I was feeding small halibut pellets, ChemoR groundbait and ChemoR boilies. My first 2 bites were lost on the rocks cut off almost instantly. When the feeders were empty they sometimes dislodge in the strong flow and then get stuck between rocks. After 2 hrs I managed to land the first barbel of 4. 2lb 3lb 4lb and 5lb. I also caught an eel. Not bad on the day. I recommend very tough kit for this venue or you will lose gear. (LOTS).

Strong braided hooklengths saved the day.

4 Barbel, 1 Other

11lb cock fish on edw pool, Coloured fish with well developed kype. Landed at 6.30 pm on a Hardy Artisan with Cascade fly (which I believe was gifted to me and tied by Chris Price)

1 Salmon, 1 Trout