Feedback & Reports

2 rods from 4 until 6pm. Couple of rises. Water very low. Nothing interested in our Klinkhammers. Very pretty spot.

A very pleasant evening. 2 of us fished from 5pm to avoid the lowest form of intelligent life on the river ( and I include snails and leeches in that description ), still had our fair share of paddlers but they were mostly ok.
I managed two barbel, one of 6lbish ( unhooked and rested in the net ) and a lovely 9lb 1oz which was rested before and after weighing before swimming off strongly. Also lost one to a snag - gotta love the Wye. Although I got everything back after releasing a large bow of line, except the fish!
My compadré had one barbel of around 6lb ( again rested and unhooked in the water ) and a wriggler around the 2lb mark.
Given the conditions we were more than happy with the outcome. However, 2 things put a slight downer on the evening:

Firstly, we were the only anglers booked on yet there was a party of 2 or 3 fishing below the house. While they didn't bother us, or us them, they were very loud and alternated between fishing, having a barbecue and swimming. When we left at last knockings they were turning torches on.
Guests of the owner?
Secondly, 2 dead barbel floated past. I would implore everyone who is unsure how to deal with barbel in hot weather to simply not fish for them. 8lb line and 20 minute battles have no place on the Wye, neither does the resulting 10 minutes required to get a fish to go back.
Use sensible gear, rest them as soon as they're netted, if it's a fish that's worthy of weighing get everything ready first and do it quickly, and ask yourself if you really, really need a photograph. Rest them in the net again after weighing/photography, but not in 6 inches of tepid, slow, low oxygenated water.
All our fish were landed quickly, rested, one was weighed then rested, and all were kicking strongly upon release.
Neither of the above reflect on WUF. Poachers will always poach and the dead barbel were from upstream. It was, as always, a pleasure to fish a lovely stretch of water and get a few bites in these conditions.

3 Barbel, 1 Other

Late afternoon-evening session. All caught on 2x10mm pellet and small feeders. Buzzard, cormorants, young swans in the area. We even had a crocodile in the swim at one point, of the inflatable kind, being ridden on by some well behaved youngsters who quietly passed by when they spotted us.
Enjoyable as always.

6 Barbel, 1 Chub

Canoe traffic horrendous
I would never fish it on a weekend again

9 Barbel

Extremely hot and low water. Not much chance really but very nice place. I will return when conditions are better.

First time on this stretch, just went for the evening and spent most the time walking the stretch. Struggled with the weed in my chosen swim at the top of the stretch so moved down opposite the woods which I've fished before on the Courtfield ticket on the other bank. Had one bite and one fish of around 5lb. River needs some water on it, very low and slow. Nice stretch though with good access, shame you can't park up by your swim as the car parks were a bit of a walk although you can drop your tackle off but didn't seem much point as I travel pretty light. Interesting to see the river from the other bank as I've fished Courtfield and Bishopswood a fair bit before.

1 Barbel

Very little fish activity ,steaming hot, stopped fishing to go to lunch!

River very low, 3 trout hooked and lost, 1 very large. Enjoyed the fishing but it was hard work.

Arrived mid afternoon as the last of the canoes came through, texted Peter who advised me to try the Thomas Crib, i had settled into the first crib in the woods but 2 guys set up opposite so moved. 1st cast in 2nd swim had an eel and that was it. Fished till 7.30pm, river just too low and sky to bright but can see that this section should produce well in favourable conditions. The only strange thing really is that i would have liked to trot maggot and caster but you cannot do that on Wuf until September but if i had gone on the other bank i could have fished this method in the same water. May be this needs reviewing when sections are shared.
WUF Note: The date restrictions on the use of maggots on the Wye are an EA byelaw designed to protect salmon parr, although some fisheries apply for a derogation against this rule. Salmon parr are increasing in numbers in the main stem so, with owner approval, fisheries participating in the Passport will be sticking to this byelaw.

1 Other

Dissapointing end to my week, this beat just didn't seem to fish today. Very low water and heavy weed growth compared to my last visit. Fished 4 or 5 pegs, from the top to the bottom but only managed 4 small chub and an eel.

4 Chub, 1 Other