Feedback & Reports

The ducks kept us company all day but unfortunately so did the continuous (and I mean continuous) canoes. They were still coming down well past 6pm.
Some clearly did their best not to disrupt us. Many were frankly inept (some triggered by alcohol), making it impossible to fish at times. A stark reminder as to why we tend to avoid Saturdays in July on certain parts of the river, especially when the weather is ‘good’.
Despite our best efforts and persistance, changing methods throughout the day and fishing until 9:30pm, we couldn’t off-set the difficult conditions (bright sunshine, clear water) and frequent disruptions.
CH made an all too brief contact with a solitary Barbel and hooked and lost a Chub on cheese-paste very late on. RE generated some interest in his float-fished sweetcorn but ultimately the river and conditions beat us both.
Only booked a few days prior to the weekend so faced limited availability. We expected a generally challenging day and that’s exactly what we got. We look forward to next time, but maybe not this stretch on a summer weekend whilst the sun is shining. River 1 Fishermen 0.

Hot sunny day, river low and clear. No bites or fish, tried all methods, meat, pellet, corn, long, short hook-links. They just weren't having it. Beautiful short stretch of river. Would go again when river a little higher. Good parking and pub very close.

No fish by spinning and worm. May have been too hot as no fish were seen rising. Also spotted a few signal crayfish which I have never seen before there.

No fish caught by worm.

Fished the Meadow swims as none available in the woods from 2pm until late. Only caught eels.

4 Other

Large number of grayling seen just near footbridge.
Fish rising to fly but no takes! Cattle in the water at Gilberts Farm, but very hot day.

River level right down at top part of beat. A bit further down it was completely dry. Met EA representative, Pete Giles who explained that fish where being rescued from stagnant pools by electrofishing and that this part of the river does dry out often in summer. Did catch a 2.5 lbs brown (taken) on a black ant, size 14 hook in one of the deeper pools (>6 feet!) further downstream. Fish in excellent condition! The Teme was flowing further downstream of the beat and tried my luck in pool by the bridge leading to Bucknell but didn't see a single fish. Fallen trees had recently been removed and so a nice gap to be able to cast with a 6 foot, 4 weight. Water quality superb despite the very low levels. How different it was this weekend compared to February when I couldn't find a place to park the car because of severe snow levels.

1 Trout

Half-pound trout taken and returned above the bridge on the upper beat in the late evening on a black-and-red bibio. Water levels low, water clear some breeze. Lots of trout rising but few taking, 6 others missed. Sewin seen and active.

1 Trout

I fished from 6am to 9pm. Water low and clear. Hot day. Biggest Chub 4lb 8oz. 1 Eel, no Barbel. Didn't even see one. Tried to find them with my polarised sunglasses but no luck. Fished two swims. Left bank in the middle by the stump and right side just under the bridge. Chub from both swims. Second time I've been here. I have not idea where to find Barbel here. Maybe back when the water is higher and more colored.In the afternoon 2 families arrived on canoes, stopped just in front of me and had 30 min break with children throwing stones in to the water. I have no idea if they allowed to stop anywhere? A happy and unhappy day on the river.

10 Chub, 1 Other

Weather hot and river low. Not a bite all day. Lots of canoes most of whom were well behaved, but some decided to ignore the code and messed about right infront of me.