Feedback & Reports

I spent a couple of hours fishing early afternoon from the top of the beat to the bottom. A huge amount of insect life but no sign of any fish rising or taking flies. This was my first time on the beat and it is always good fun to explore a new fishing spot.
The whole beat is lined by trees but it still okay to fish with some creative casting techniques.
I felt that this beat was less fish-able in low water than Lower Stanton above but that could just be my lack of local knowledge.
I'll be back to try again soon.

Couldn’t really have been much better. I had not fished this beat before and I was a little worried that it would be a bit noisy sandwiched between the main road and the train tracks. Apart from about four trains the rest of the day was peaceful and tranquil.

Weather was warm and mainly overcast with a few brighter spells (but most of the stream is shaded). After a very dry period we had just had two days of rain, so I was expecting conditions to be better than recent weeks. The Honddu was still relatively low in sections but it did have a good flow to it, with a bit of colour, and if you searched them out there were some very good looking deeper sections… and plenty of fish.

I have never caught so many WBT in one day before (I fished from approx. 9.30-5). They came spread throughout the day, with a bit of a rush in the last two hours. All sizes, from little 6” beauties, right up to a couple of much bigger fish that put up a good fight. And there were quite a few that I missed. All caught on a Klinkhammer indicator dropper set up with either a Hare’s Ear or Pheasant Tail nymph (the later gave best results).

I’m new to fishing small streams and their challenges, but when the fishing is this good I don’t really need anything else.

Note: In the directions to the beat, the chicken coup has now gone, replaced by a caravan.

14 Trout

Quick hour or so on my way home from work. River high but clear. No signs of life, but just wanted to get back on a river!

River was very coloured, but a decent flow. Wading tricky as couldn't see my feet at all. Fished for four hours this afternoon and managed 6 wbt between 7 and 9 inches. All took a weighted hares ear with an orange bead.

6 Trout

Water low and clear, missed a few takes to a small grey fly.

Sadly, another blank. Didn't see any rising fish today but did see a lot of trout in several places from 5/6 to 10 inches. Some were in shoals of up to 10 fish of various sizes. At one point I was in a pool, waist height, and fish were swimming by me almost oblivious to my presence. I had already tried drys here earlier so changed to nymphs, Tried several patterns and shrimps and got some casual glances but no takers. It was amazing to see them at such close range. Spoke to a local near my accommodation who said they had been on a reservoir day before, fish jumping out taking flies on the wing but wouldn't touch anything they offered. At least it wasn't just me!!

Water level quite low. Few fish rising in pools. Only had one take on a parachute adams but didn't hook it. Nothing caught but very nice to be there.

River level low water relativly clear no fish showing nil return. Did see two dippers and one kingfisher.

River very clear but with still a good flow in most pools. I struggled, dour is the word I think. Landed 2 (7") on small nymph but saw little else. Maybe the evening would be better? Checked the catch returns and most do seem to find it hard work on this beat. Wonder why, it has some lovely runs and lively pools.

2 Trout