Feedback & Reports

Only 1 angler made it fishing today! Didn't miss much. River in good nick - colour and dropping. Spent most of day trying to catch chub and dace on big stick to no avail, although kept entertained with trout and grayling. Fished last couple of hours on feeder with pellet but no knocks. Fished about 50 metres short of wood.

7 Trout, 2 Grayling

River level falling. Spent the day exploring the stretch and dropping baits into likely spots. Muddy conditions after recent flood but thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Caught both chub in a slack on a wide bend. First of 3lb 2oz fell to ledgered bread flake. Second of 3lb 4oz took luncheon meat. Missed a few other bites during the day.
Very friendly and helpful couple at the white cottage.

2 Chub

It was a promising start with a small grayling and brown trout in the first 10 minutes from the pool next to the stile into the churchyard. Worked my way up to the top fields of the beat during the day but nothing was showing. Returned to the church at approx 4pm and was surprised to see fish rising in the large pool below the church. Switched to the dry fly and missed a couple of good takes before taking another couple of out of season brown trout.

3 Trout, 1 Grayling

Conditions looked good, river high with light colour but cold frost on ground.

1 Barbel, 2 Chub

A torrid time by all on the river today! Levels up and carrying lots of debris. All struggled to hold bottom with 6 oz of lead! Managed to mug one Chub at end of the day but other 3 anglers biteless despite trying various swims and tactics. A beautiful beat with stunning scenery topped by Goodrich Castle as a backdrop. Vehicle access good but swims quite a challenge. Had my first experience of abseiling for Barbel! Would return in lower water level conditions.

1 Chub

Cock salmon caught on a nymph and safely returned. Approx 5-6 pounds, coloured.

1 Salmon

River conditions made 95% of beat unfishable. Could only access two places safely. All fish taken on maggot in slack water.

1 Trout, 3 Chub

Day trotting for Grayling. 10am to mid-day. Downstream of Church. 3 grayling, 12 to 15 inch and a very small oos brownn trout. Saw group of (migrating?) firecrests or goldcaps in trees next to church. Mid-day to dusk in field below 2 islands. No bites until 15.00 then found shoal immediately below islands caught 5 grayling, 10 to 15 inch. Moved 50yds downstream to top of long gravel run caught 1 large grayling of around 18 inch and at dusk 1 chub of around 2lb. Note: unusually all the Grayling were male fish and in excellent condition and colour. This is a beautiful peaceful place to spend an Autumn day and beat is an combination of excellent access and thoughtful bank maintenance. Thanks to WUF and owners.

9 Grayling, 1 Chub

River a bit higher than we had anticipated but still fishable with heavy feeders. By the end of the day it had dropped further and although still fast look spot on. Regrettably the fish didn't seem to realise this and only one chub came to the net. Nevertheless the scenery, weather and company were perfect and Colin came along for a chat later on, so all in all a very pleasant day.

1 Chub

Overnight rain caused the river to rise and WUF kindly allowed a wash off.