Feedback & Reports

Arrived at the bottom of the beat and guess what? An otter! That's three this year and it's 35yrs since I had seen one previously. Prospects didn't look good with a major predator on the beat and so it proved. Perfect water, no rises or sign of fish until the very top of the beat where I was rewarded for my efforts with a 9in brownie which appeared to be a well mended stockie. Nothing like as pretty as the wild fish. G/h pt nymph under a Klink NZ style. Double edged sword these otters!

2 brown trout caught and returned. Invicta fished close to surface on floating line. Very windy conditions.

First time to visit this stretch. Bright and sunny throughout the day, with the river down and clear. Fished from early morning to early evening and for the majority of the day, both heron and kingfisher were clearly seen to be more successful than us humans at catching fish. Great to see though!
Peaceful and quiet for most of the time, the tranquillity was broken only by several canoes (most of whom were courteous) and more notably six boys, one of whom, having surveyed the scene from the bridge, waded into the river to retrieve bolt-cutters and some (very heavy) metal boxes from the river bed directly below the bridge. All items were taken back to their vehicles before leaving. Thought-provoking to say the least!
No indication of fish until approx 5pm. A roving approach meant we’d covered all fishable swims but persistence eventually paid off and C H managed one barbel weighing 5lb 2oz, caught on pellet (and also subsequently lost two more in quick succession). A lively, if frustrating end to hard day’s toiling in the sun.
Wonderful picturesque surroundings, very enjoyable wildlife, but another gentle reminder from the river as to who’s the boss.

Arrived 6am to find river slightly up and in good condition. My son and I chose to fish the meadow section and caught 2 Eels and a Chub before the mass of kayaks caused us to pack-up at 10am. Following a recce of the wooden section of this stretch we returned to my son's home in Bristol.
We returned at about 5pm to fish on the "Rocks" in the wooded section. In a very short evening spell we hooked two Barbel, landing one of 6lb.8oz. Lost one fish and quite a bit of end gear before finding the clearer patches. Determined to fish same spot the next day.

Started about 7.00am in Top Pool, 1 decent barbel lost as this is a real tackle graveyard. Dropped down a peg or two and had a few small chub and dace on the stickfloat and one chub of 5lb before the shear number of inconsiderate canoeists made fishing impossible at about 10.30. Started again about 4.00pm had 5 good barbel between 6 and 8lb and two chub of 4.5 and 5.5lb. Great beat in lovely surroundings with good access to the river. I will return.

Had a great days fishing in a beautiful location. it was warm and sunny, although the wind did pick up in the afternoon. There was not much fly activity during the day so I fished a PTN under a Klinkhammer and took about 15 fish ranging from 6" to "10, 2 of 12" and one of 14". All fish were in immaculate condition and put up good scraps. Despite really good hatches in the evening there was suprisingly little surface activity, but managed to take a few on a sedge. Also saw a couple of salmon leap out of the water during the afternoon. The upper section of the best is hard to fish and access but saw some good fish rising, just couldnt get top them.

Spent most of the day at middle section near the hut.
Tried for Salmon until early aftenoon - none seen, no bites, nothing taken.
Trout slightly more promising in the afternoon: three brown trout, two grayling hooked; nothing big enough for the pot so all returned.

In 3 hours (from 11.30am) and over 30 yards AB caught 18 fish including 4 Brown Trout over 1lb with one just tipping 2lb. Fabulous fishing, and caught mostly on Copper Head Nymph size 14 courtesy of the excellent flies from http://www.yorkshire-dales-flyfishing.com/ Stuart there sells great dries too some on black Gamakatsu hooks. 3 grayling caught and the rest were Parr. Terrific sport to be had by dropping the flies close to the huge wed beds that have appeared this "summer". Oh and the wife (MB) had 4 or 5 fish too, which is unusual as she nearly always beats me. Every dog has his day!
The previous day we caught 11 between us (7 on F Flies and Klinkhammers) so I guess it pays to try different tactics. Last time we fished New Zealand style paid dividends. All fish returned in good shape.

x1 3lbs Grayling, a 6-8oz Grayling and x1 1.5lbs brown Trout. Caught using beaded gold head nymphs.

A cracking day. 7 or 8 trout to 10", 10 or so grayling to 17" and loads of parr. Fished mainly dry or duo and all but one trout came to the dry - most successful pattern being a large LT Klink.