Feedback & Reports

19 x trout 6-12 inches. A cool, cloudy day with light showers of rain and an increasing downstream wind.
In an experimental mood on this classic border stream, I had the bright idea of fishing the day through with traditional border dry flies only, the Rev Powell's to be precise, to see how it worked out. It was rather a slow start, until I worked out that the Pink Paragon was working slightly better than the Paragon. But, to be absolutely honest, sport only really picked up when I ditched the whole traditional flies idea and went back to the little rusty coloured Klinkhammer which I usually use on brooks. You might argue it was because the day had warmed up a bit or I had reached a better bit of water, but no, I put the Pink Paragon on again and the takes slowed down. Have I tied these flies right? There are some demanding requirements - just try asking Sportfish for a hackle cape with the colour "purplish chocolate." Powell's "Fuzzy-Wuzzies" worked for him but even tied on size 14 and 16 hooks they are quite bulky flies. The Klinkhammers I use on streams are dressed on size 16 Kamasan B100 hooks and they are much smaller. Powell almost always fished his dry flies paired; I was fishing singly. I'm sure I'm going to get letters about this from the purists after these provocative remarks! Never mind, the trout, as always on the Arrow, were lovely fat little fish with handsome markings. And in another couple of decades we will be calling Klinkhammers traditional.
One access point: getting past the weir is really difficult these days as the water upstream is too deep to wade, and the bank above by disused farm buildings is so overgrown as to be impassable. There are also some dangerous old cisterns under the brambles. I had to go up the lane, turn right into the first field gate, then right again through the next gate and so back to the river.
I cleared out the fish pass on the weir while I was there.

WUF note - Good to see one our our trusty volunteers getting stuck in!

Nil return.

First time fishing the Wye. Difficult conditions with the wind blowing straight in my face but never the less I had a good day on a beautiful river. I only had my rod in the water for about 3 hours but I managed a barbel of about 4-5 pounds and lost another using groundbait feeder with pellets and hemp and pellets or boilie on the hook, so a good first day and looking forward to the next.

6 barbel to 8lbs 3oz, all very good condition with no mouth damage. Legg Meadow swims with river at normal Summer level, fished into evening. Found several snags where before I found none.

Caught two brown trout (8" and 6") and a 7" grayling, all with a Parachute Adams on a light 7ft rod. Weather was overcast with the occasional heavy showers and the water was quite coloured. Saw only a few rises but decided to fish with the fly anyway. Would have had had about 8 if I had more experience.

Caught a 10lb coloured hen fish on a deeply fished fly fishing the far bank of the Abercymryn Pool in the evening.

J P fished 6.30am - 9am with double hander from top of beat to Chine with no takes. Water 0.6m and gin clear. No fish moving. I fished with guest G T from 3.45pm - 6.45pm for both salmon and trout on sub surface team with no result. The odd trout showing but of no size.Suspect late fish not coming through until next high water.

2 wbt between us, both caught in faster water on small nymph patterns.

5 chub 3lb-5lb and 2 barbel 3lb, all legered pellet fishing until lunchtime. Many thanks to Ian for his advice and help. Hope to get back later in the Autumn.

Phew, R ended today with 30 barbel and some lovely chub to 4lbs 2oz from Wyebank. Prob well over 120lb of barbel. The largest was just over 7lbs. They don't half pull your string in the fast flowing water. Pellet and ground bait working well. Used plenty of the stuff and casting on a regular basis. R went home very happy and with an aching arm. He will be back next year this time with his budding young fisherman lad. Happy Days