Feedback & Reports

The Hindwell still has a good flow at the moment unlike some other beats suffering from lack of rain. Only a couple of Mayfly seen and very few rises. 4 Trout from the faster water on a size 16 para Adams.

4 Trout

A fabulous way to spend an afternoon in the glorious sunshine and an evening in the bouncing rain.
I continued to develop my rod and river skills, especially my forte of catching nothing whatsover. There were fish rising to take the plentiful covering of midges but my midges were mostly clinging to willow, alder and even a proud beech. Leaves, branches, trunks and roots - in equal measure.
Surprisingly deep pools (I had to turn back and scramble around the bank several times) and fast flowing riffles. I fished about 30% of the beat in 4 hours. There are many happy days of fishing here for those who love the challenge of overhanging trees, undulating river beds and canny wild browns. Lovers of chalk streams look elsewhere.
I shall return.

My first visit to this beat, which I found fairly accessible as wild streams go. Humid conditions seemed to suit the fly life as there was plenty around, including some Green Drakes. Despite that fish weren't rising (though the swallows were active) so I searched the pools with a weighted nymph. Only one trout of about 8" obliged but an enjoyable afternoon nonetheless.

1 Trout

I fished this beat the day after the Wild Streams Open Day, and it is probably the best £10 I have spent in some time. Beautiful stretch of river, challenging but fun fishing. The water was a bit coloured following the previous night's rain, but the fish were there and occasionally rising. Two small browns taken on dries and released.

2 Trout

As part of The Wild Streams day based in Presteigne, there were 2 anglers (incl. myself) plus our instructor, Tony.
After 15 years of abstinence, I can confirm that dry fly fishing on small streams is not like riding a bike! Despite many 180 degree turns in the direction of flow, a gale seemed to follow coming from the same direction. I may have done better if I had pre-stocked my waders with trout since that was the area my fly constantly ended up! I also hadn't realised how much my eyesight had deteriorated over time.
I have always fished upstream dry and wondered why the others seemed to be "nymphing" and catching fish...
Oh well, I must get more practise in for my casting technique and try other methods too.
Still, it was such a lovely day out on the water and I have never been disappointed at not making a catch. That's not what it's all about..... -is it?!

not great day. nice looking water. few fish active. Saw 3 rises.

This beat was fished on Sat 13th May as part of the LAFA Wild Stream Fishing Day and a number of fish were caught.

A nice piece of water meandering through pastures. Easy parking and easy walk to bottom of beat. Some fallen trees and tricky casting this time of year. Got three trout to 8" and these were hard-won fish over the course of a slow 6 hour stroll up the brook. Had booked Hindwell - Knill as I thought I would run out of water on Combe, but never got there.

3 Trout

Fished Duo from 2 till 4.30 up to the road bridge.
Around a dozen Trout from 6 to 8 inches all but one on the nymph. A nice surprise to finish was a Grayling of around 10 inches. As suggested in the beat details the river is holding a good flow for the time of year. Disappointed to see an irrigation pump taking water for the Potato field at the bottom end of the beat.

12 Trout, 1 Grayling

A couple of fish seen infrequently rising in 2 of the few spots that were accessible but no rises to the fly - one pull on a nymph was all we could manage between us.
As previous reports suggest the top half of the beat is largely unfishable due to overhanging trees along most of the beat, steep banks and barbed wire fences making access in/out the river difficult when necessary due to several blockages across the whole stream. A nice looking beat but with such limited access somewhat frustrating.