Feedback & Reports

Unfortunately my scheduled companion for the day was ill so had to cry off at short notice. Weather was bit to hot and river low. The ghillie from the stretch above had 2 salmon anglers for the day and indicated that they might want to fish the top swim, (Vanstone Pool), if I didn't mind. I was happy to leave them to it but did struggle during the day for just 3 chub. When they left at 5 p.m. I moved into the pool and added another chub and 4 barbel to 8lbs. A satisfying end to the day but I was less happy that the ghillie told me that the pool would no longer be available to coarse anglers next season. It is a difficult, snaggy swim but does produce fish. This fishery has contracted considerably over the years and if it is to do so again not sure that we will want to book it in future.

4 Barbel, 4 Chub

Dry fly.

12 x trout 6-12 inches, Rusty Klinkhammer. Although I say it as shouldn't, 12 inches is not a bad trout for this little brook - although not a record. I mean one can catch a 15 pounds salmon from the Wye and nobody blinks twice. But with a 12 inch trout under the belt, one can swagger back from the Bideford Brook with a definite spring in the old stride, eh what.

12 Trout

I decided to fish Dolgau as the Rhayader gauge was low at 4", in the hope that bits that weren't accessible when I was last here over two years ago, might have been a bit more user friendly! Well there was certainly less pace but, even at this level, the beat is a brute to wade, and not for the faint-hearted. But even at 4" there was plenty of fishable water. Wading stick ESSENTIAL! A lovely day with little wind, warm and a bit overcast, should have been ideal and I guess it pretty well was. Midges, a few small olives and then sedges from late morning, were the Bill of Fare but relatively few fish rose. All fish were caught on a hare's ear emerger and Grayling Steel Blue. Most fish caught, but not all, were non-risers and were taken virtually from the off, and continued to tempted up until I left at about 5 p.m. Most grayling were 10-12" with a few 13-14" fish as well. No trout exceeded 10". This beat is seriously hard work though, and progress is necessarily slow and very careful. But rewarding for sure. I reckoned I deserved a beer when I got home!!

8 Trout, 18 Grayling

River low and weed being washed down, difficult conditions but managed 4 chub on luncheon meat.

4 Chub

Slightly more difficult day at Wyebank as the water was exceptionally low and the venue has obviously been fished hard throughout the last few weeks. However we managed to have a great day spent in stunning surroundings yet again. The barbel were a little more elusive than my last trip but all the same Mat managed 14 barbel to 4lbs and I had 13 to 5lbs. Lots of juvenile fish provided sport throughout the day. Note to others fishing the venue: This is a great venue for smaller fish that provides action throughout the day regardless of boat traffic. Just enjoy it for what it is. If you want bigger barbel then try other venues, read the previous catch reports first before booking. For a day of quantity then this is a terrific venue. All our fish fell to small hookbaits, 6mm pellets and size 12/14 hooks. There are a few better fish present but you'll have to work through the smaller ones first. Not really a big hardship in my opinion. The only downside I can see to this venue is the path which I have commented on before. Yet again both myself and Mathew fell over at the end of the day and have the bruises to prove it. The path needs some work and a little strimming of undergrowth really wouldn't hurt. Some of the rocks positioned on the path are extremely unstable and I would suggest that some reinforcement is urgently required before someone badly hurts themselves!

23 Barbel, 4 Chub

An enjoyable day on the Wye, but unfortunately nothing to declare.

Another wonderful days fishing on the Wye. I caught 17 barbel and 12 chub in the wood on feeder tactics. The fish were in much better condition than my last visit a few weeks ago. My friend fished in the field near the hut but only had one chub, sadly a double hip replacement has meant a level bit of bank is more important these days. It was his first visit to the Wye and despite a lack of fish he really enjoyed his day.

17 Barbel, 13 Chub

Very good day for both of us. Many barbel and chub, but without specimen fish (chub average 3-4 lb, barbel 5-7).

26 Barbel, 24 Chub

First time out here for a long overdue recce'. Super water and features and didn't get to see it all! Nothing rising or hatching and turned out to be a bright and hot day so that qualifies for an August dog day. Flicked a klink' and copper john duo around here and there and got a few nnibbles with the trout, 6 to 11 inch. No grayling though but you can see the potential so will definitely be back for more.

4 Trout