Feedback & Reports

River low and clear but well worth the 2 hours in the late afternoon on the top of this beat. Usual high average size of fish for this tiny stream, probably due to them snacking on the abundant Native Crayfish - please remember to check, clean and dry your kit when coming in from different beats. Fish of 12", 13", 10" and 8" and others quite possibly bigger lost. Many fish visible and loads spooked from a distance that reminds you that wild trout, in low water really do have eyes in the back of their head.
Had a walk up the bottom of Upper Escley - there are some good fish in there too - need to get it back on! Can highly recommend the Bridge Inn, at the top of the Beat for camping, food and beer.

4 Trout

Managed a good couple of hours on the Taf Fawr today. Stream is very low and clear so fished a single dry fly/klinkhammer in the pocket water and fast/oxygenated runs and managed to catch 2 dozen small fish up to 3/4lb.

24 Trout

2 x trout 7-8 inches, Rusty Klinkhammer. Cloudy and humid weather, one or two showers. A tough session without much sign of life on the water (the two fish taken came from the same pool). Very much overgrown. We are definitely going to have to do some major pruning on this one come winter.

2 Trout

A long anticipated first trip to the River Wye. Planned to fish the late afternoon after the canoe traffic had died, arrived on bank to a heavy (but brief) rain storm and fished from 4pm. Slow start, but steady feeding saw the fish really come on from 5:30 pm. Fished trotted pellet and time bomb pellet till dark. Five barbel to 8.5lb and seven chub to 5lb. Had me wondering why it has taken me so long to come here and if I'll ever fish anywhere else again! Many thanks to the Wye and Usk - superb booking service and instructions.

5 Barbel, 7 Chub

A difficult day: 1 barbel and 2 chub caught by my companions - and nothing by me.
The upper part of this beat is very overgrown with steep banks. The lower part has sheep grazed banks which offer plenty of fishing spots. Unfortunately a caravan event was being held on the lower part of the beat which, though it didn't stop us fishing, effectively confined us to Church Stream. Church Stream is a super run but it is not the place for novice canoeists - some of whom totally ignored their leader's instructions and careered dangerously down the run before capsizing. This amused them enormously; we packed up. We also had bathing belles, but their presence brightened an already hopeless day!
Absolutely no complaints about the Wye and Usk which offers a fantastic service! One bad day is quickly forgotten.

WUF note - We have only just found out about this caravan event. Please be aware, the campers are permitted to fish the bottom field of this beat until their departure on 5th August.

The top half of this beat is due to be strimmed on Thursday 17th July.

1 Barbel, 2 Chub

River running low, took 11 barbel & 7 chub, all on pellet and paste. Biggest barbel 9lb 14oz. Great 6 hour session. All fish in excellent condition.

11 Barbel, 7 Chub

Was hoping the heavy showers the day before would have some effect on the river, but it was not to be. Very low and very hot. So, testing to say the least. Saw a few feeding, which covering was hard work and pretty fruitless until a grayling of about 1lb took my tungsten headed GRHE fished deep. Had another slightly smaller later in the day. Oh, and a trout, a full 2ins!

1 Trout, 2 Grayling

River low, but slightly coloured which I'm sure helped. Cut out a new peg down from the tree line, although would recommend a rope to use it. Fished there first thing without a touch. Moved to the faster water 2/3's of the way down and caught 4 barbel (up to 7lb 12oz). Bites stopped after 90 mins. Returned in the evening and fished the new peg. Caught 5 barbel in the last 2 hours before sunset.

9 Barbel

One ten inch brownie within the first few minutes followed quickly by a six inch grayling. Both caught on beaded PTNs. Thought I was in for a good day but hooked nothing else, other than another small grayling that escaped before I could bring it to hand. Water very clear and warm (18 degrees C), very few fish rising. Maybe try here again in the autumn.

1 Trout, 1 Grayling

Another fantastic day at this beautiful beat. 2 WBT, 12" & 8". Both taken on brown para pattern. Plenty of fish despite water being very low. Water was clear and no bloom even though there had been plenty of sun.

2 Trout