Feedback & Reports

First time I have fished the Wye and hoping that I had arrived for an autumn bonanza with the barbel. The fish were not exactly lining up yet as the river was a bit low and it is still not really feeling like winter is around the corner!! However on day one I had a chub about 3lbs and a barbel at last knockings of 9lb 2. On day two it was very quiet until the last hour and a half. First fish was a 9lb 6, a beast that fought like fury. This was followed by another of approx 6-7 lb and then another pull missed at the end. In summary a bit more action would have been nice but the bigger fish was immaculate and a real mike Tyson so it made it worthwhile. All caught on the ever reliable spam.
Stayed at Ferndale b & b which was local and very comfortable, recommended if you like some comfort with your fishing!

3 Barbel, 1 Other

Second day of three for the three chub and barbel virgins from Northern Ireland. Another extremely beautiful stretch with abundant bird life but again very low water. We looked first at the upper reach, above the orchard, but found the water to look painfully low. We also felt that we would have difficulty finding suitable swims for all three of us as, like yesterday, many were left high above the water.
We found the lower reach to look slightly more appealling. Although slower and with less features, it did appear to be a little deeper. This gave us a little more confidence. The fishing again we found to be very difficult. A few dace, some of which seemed of quite good size for the species, allowed us to tick off another new species. At last light I managed to land a chub of four pounds, another first for myself.

1 Chub, 8 Other

A fantastic beat with a variety of dry fly flats, riffles and deep pools. Weather was rather windy and mild, around 18 degrees. The water was gin clear and cold. There was limited fly activity, mainly small to medium olives and the odd small brown caddis. Landed and released 2 beautiful wild brownies of 10" and one grayling of 11". All fell to an olive emerger, size 16.
Have booked the same beat again later in the week. Spending a few days fishing this beautiful part of Wales. Staying at a lovely B&B in Llantrywd Wells, www.cerdynvilla.com, highly recommended.
Looking forward to week ahead!

2 Trout, 1 Grayling

Both barbel about 6lb caught again at dusk. River very low and crystal clear. Chub to about 4lb. Limited swims due to weed and lack of flow, large clumps of weed drifting down due to weed cutting upsteam ment rolling meat was the only option for the 1st couple of hours.

2 Barbel, 3 Chub

Feeder, 4' fluorocarbon, small hook, river low, hot, cloudy spells. Barbel 3lbs bracket. JB 16lbs pike, and silvers on the mag feeder.

1 Barbel, 1 Pike

A good day, in fact the best of the week. Chub caught mostly on feeder but some on float tactics. The Barbel (best fish 6.5lb) all caught on feeder fished pellet.

6 Barbel, 14 Chub

Misty first thing, bright, sunny. Low river, feeder, mag. Barbel 3lbs bracket. JB Pike 15lbs bracket and silvers.

1 Barbel, 1 Pike

4lbs stale cock Grilse.

1 Salmon

It’s been far too long since I have driven through the Teme Valley, so my day was already made as I snaked my way through the mist-shrouded valley, just starting to put on her autumn colours. Is there a finer place in the World?
Lyepole certainly runs it close. As a previous report said, the silence is deafening, aside from the calls of the buzzards and ravens that were wheeling above the forest in the keen breeze that sprung up in the afternoon.
The river itself is a joy to fish, with more than enough pools and glides in its mile for a full day and numerous Dippers, Kingfishers and Wagtails to keep you company. It was very low and clear, so steady, careful wading was the order of the day…which may explain why I spooked more than I caught, especially in the glide running up to the weir.
Without wishing to plagiarise NS from Martley, I too had something of a red-letter day with my first double hook-up and my first 2lb Grayling. I didn’t manage the hat-trick of one on a dry, though, as I had decided to set my stall out and fish Czech Nymph style. Had I fished a dry and/or upstream nymph, I am convinced I would have caught more, especially on those glides.
Fish were caught equally on the point fly and both droppers. Preference appeared to be for drab, sparsely dressed nymphs over the more brightly coloured ones. However, the majority of takes came when I induced a bit of life into the drift rather than dead drifting.
Access and wading were both easy enough and many thanks to Seth in the Booking Office for his help. Oh, and thanks too to AM of Dorridge for “marking my card” – good man.

2 Trout, 8 Grayling

Lovely day to see out the season for me. River cool and clear with low mist on arrival. Slow fishing with most trout tiny but perfect setting and day. 2 trout at a more respectable 10 inches and one of these took a Para Adams to cheer me up. Most of the rest on hairs ear and pheasant tail nymphs. Larger grayling 12 inches.

10 Trout, 2 Grayling