Feedback & Reports

Two trout caught on worm with popup.

2 Trout

This beat always lives up to my expectation, I have fished several beat in Usk and this beat is one of the best in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed fishing this beat although I only managed to fish half a day. The river was a bit low compared to my previous visit but it allowed me to wade and fish the other side of the bank which is where I caught most of the fish. I managed to catch 17 lovely brownies all between 12" to 20" on a home tied GRHE. The river is extremely slippery and I strongly advise using a wading staff. Looking forward to my next visit.

17 Trout

River was low and slow. There appeared to be black gnats on the water, so fished with a small one, but landed only one fish with it. Changed to an iron blue klink, and immediately had much more sucess

6 Trout

Third time on this lovely beat. Weather sunny and warm, river 1ft 6ins on the gauge and running clear. Fished full floating line, with 15lb leader and a Cascade. Took the fish at about 10.30am in the Bridge Pool standing on the rocks between the two sets of boards. Fish was c.12-13lb cock, and was quite coloured, good fight, no net so walked it into the bank and beached it there. Unhooked it and held it in the stream to recover; it swam off strongly. Also hooked and lost a fish in the Ferry Pool later in the day, caught two greedy trout which were also returned. Met a couple of fellow rods who were very helpful, had a good chat and learnt a bit more about the beat (local knowledge is gold dust!). All in all a very enjoyable day on superb beat.

1 Salmon, 2 Trout

First time on this beat, water had a slight tinge of colour, but cleared through day and low with a fair flow. Fairly easy wading, but there are some deep holes and plenty of trees over the water. Very few fish rising so nearly all fish taken on nymph with GC taking 20 grayling with the best around 1.75lbs.
Thanks to W & U and the fishery owner for making this stretch available.

3 Trout, 24 Grayling

Lovely afternoon spent in a lovely setting. River was not too low and relatively clear. Traffic issues meant arrived shortly before noon - not the ideal start given this was a hot sunny day. Some missed takes and a fish on and lost on an Iron Blue. Two trout to the net running a gold head PTN through faster shallower water.

2 Trout

Fished early morning hoping for a fish or two before the sun arrived. Just the 1 Chubb of around 4lb before sun and canoeists did show up. Unfortunately had to leave before lunchtime although it had the look of a day when bites were going to come first and last thing.

1 Chub

Beautiful day and perfect conditions but the fish didn't seem to agree. Water level down considerably. Plenty of minnows in the margins.

As I arrived at 0730 the rising sun had turned the previous night's rain into a fine mist that hugged the hollows and the course of the river, which reminded me what a stunning beat this is in the summer when the foliage is rampant.
The water was quite low and clear, even after the rain, and I could see to the bottom of nearly all of the pools. It was also extremely slow moving with some pools feeling like small ponds. I fished nearly the entire length of the beat, bar the very top heavily wooded section flowing next to the crop land, and was unable to spot any trout - although a bow wave as I clumsily approached the last pool before the fence dividing the pasture from crop land suggested there are still some here.
A lot of fry were apparent and nymphs clinging to rocks, so I don't think the river has dried up and then started flowing again this season, but the water was fairly warm at nearly 17C and I suspect the fish that I was after had all moved into the shade of the heavily wooded banks at the top end of the beat or else to different sections of the river where deeper pools can be found. I expect it will pick up again if there is some reason and cooler weather in September.
A very peaceful and pleasant day out, thanks.

Fishing on worm and no fish caught