Feedback & Reports

Parked at the designated spot, and proceeded to the nearest access point (east bank) as shown on the beat map. Imagine my surprise to find a wire fence topped with barbed wire, and a near vertical drop of 6ft to the water's edge. My days of clambering over fences, while wearing chest waters, and then abseiling to the river are long gone - if they ever existed!
The other bank (the other access point) looked a gentler affair, so I made my way back to my car and along the road, over the bridge to the other bank. My heart sank as I approached the river as I found a similar fence, but thankfully in the corner by the bridge (slightly hidden behind a large shed) is a stile.
The conditions were bright and no rising fish to be seen until reaching a significant pool approx 1/2 way up. A couple of risers here, but I failed to induce a take. Interestingly, a makeshift stile (old chair and rubber mat over the barbed wire) has been built over the fence on the east bank at this point. Someone (poachers/anglers with local knowledge?) are clearly accessing this pool directly from the nearby road: something for the WUF to investigate perhaps.
Fished wet flies into likely areas for the rest of the beat, but no joy.
A beautiful little stream in a perfect setting.
For those of you not in the first flush of youth please be aware that there are cattle gates strung across the river in places - I wish the WUF would detail the number of these in the beat details as negotiating them does detract from the fishing (the Middle Escley beat is a veritable obstacle course of these objects).

7 to hand, largest 9", smallest 5". 5 lost fish, 0 grayling.
River was clear, down stream gusts between 9.30am & 11am made casting v hard, 0 fish caught in this period.
Rises at 7am & 11.30am most notable. First visit to a WUF beat - fantastic spot, good accessible fishing. Many thanks.

7 Trout

River was very coloured and the height was at 1ft 10" and it was dropping quite quickly. Saw one salmon early on at the tail of Ty Mawr pool but no salmon caught. Had a trout around the pound and a half on the spinner at Ty Mawr pool which was returned as usual.

1 Trout

No sign of surface activity. All fish to nymph fished deep. All fish returned.

4 Trout

Lovely day, but full bright sun kept fish down. Picked up one wbt on mayfly around 6pm. Left at 8pm for a beer in the Bell. On leaving, at 9pm, saw several rises near bridge. Nice water, but just too bright today.

1 Trout

Lovely beat and better weather. Caught 6 trout to 1lb. I caught 5 to 1lb, my friend who fishes a lot only managed one. But that is fishing. All fish were caught on nymph, very little surface activity.

6 Trout

No salmon caught or seen.

An interesting days fishing. We arrived mid morning to find the river up and running the color of dark tea. However things still looked promising. There was little sign of fly life so we started on nymphs. No rising fish were seen until about 2:30pm. Shortly after that we had our first fish of about 1 3/4lbs. More fish then followed, best of 2lbs, the majority were over a pound, with a couple of 6 inchers for good measure. All taken on a Tungsten nymphs. A great if challenging days fishing.

9 Trout

Had to keep moving to find fish, all caught on pellet/feeder.

10 Barbel

River low, a lovely sunny day fish caught on meat or corn.

9 Chub