Feedback & Reports

Bitterly cold start at -5 and the river low and clear but the big Irfon Grayling were up for it. Light trotting gear and double maggot on a size 16 hook to 2.5lb line under a wire-stemmed stick float on the centre-pin accounted for 6 stunning fish, 4 over 2lb with the best at 2.5lb. All hooked at close range and fought deep and hard in front of me with one fish getting airborne - fantastic sight in the winter sunshine and crystal clear water. Glorious stretch of water this and all to myself - must have died and gone to heaven!

1 Trout, 6 Grayling

Not even a bite, river was low, clear and cold. Started for Pike but then saw and angler on opposite bank quiver tipping so thought there may be a chance of a Chub or even a Barbel (wishful thinking considering the conditions), switched over to feeder approach but to no avail. Lovely beat with very good access on upper half. With hindsight, I should have sat it out for Pike.

Fishing after pike with lures. Saw two pike followed my lure, but no takes. 1 by beat 3 and another by beat 5, left hand side bend. 1 trout about 3lb, but lost by the bank at beat 5.
Very nice day. Water clear, sun was out. Nice place for fishing and most of the banks easy accessible. Highly recommended.

Enjoyable day on this lovely beat, bloody cold, and difficult fishing but well worth it. Only one Grayling about 12 inches and a fine pound trout. As you would expect, deep fished jigs and shrimps worked for me. Will be back for another look before too long.

1 Trout, 1 Grayling

All fish were caught using Czech Nymphs on French leaders.
Pink appeared to be the most successful colour. River conditions were good and all fish were returned safely.
We stayed at The Hand Hotel and had no complaints.

9 Grayling

18lb Cock fish (weighed) taken on Flying C. Fresh looking but no sea lice.

1 Salmon

Very cold day made bites hard to come by. Two nice grayling and a 3lb chub fell to trotted maggot. No bites on best looking swim, probably due to a pair of hunting otters. Very enjoyable day, will definitely be back... in the summer!

2 Grayling, 1 Chub

A tough day, took the fly rods and trotting rod but the normal banker pools seemed devoid of life. Fishing up at Glaslyn an otter popped its head up for a look and swiftly disappeared, as did we further down the beat. It was after 3.30pm before we saved the blank. 4 fine grayling in a very short spell ended a cracking day and a finale to our grayling season.

4 Grayling

Conditions at Abernant seemed just about perfect with the river at normal level and a generally overcast day with little or no wind. I started in the Lady Alexanders Catch area where I have caught many fish on previous visits but could not get a bite. After half an hour or so I moved down to the Stone Catch area where after wading to mid stream (only knee deep)I found fish willing to feed immediately. Trotted red maggots tempted Grayling after Grayling with a few oos Trout. Sizes were disappointingly small however, with the best Grayling barely making 1lb. A couple of Trout possibly made 1lb 8oz (nothing actually weighed). I had another attempt in LAC later in the day to try and find larger fish but still no bites were forthcoming. Incidentally, waders are essential to reach the most productive runs due to the large areas of shallow gravel. A good day's sport but I failed to find where the big fish live.

9 Trout, 22 Grayling

1 grayling trotting, 1chub on breadflake. Very cold conditions, line freezing in the rings. Surroundings were great.

1 Grayling, 1 Chub