Feedback & Reports

A perfect fishing day. Nothing seen or caught with river very low for this beat. However a great afternoon exploring the lower section of the Rectory and discovering some 'to die for' fly streams, even at this height, which wet the appetite for next time with a little more water. Once again felt sure the pools were occupied and expected a draw on many many wonderful casts. Thanks WUF.

1 Trout

I started in the Rocks area of the wooded section and landed a 3lb Chub within minutes. However no further bites were forthcoming and I moved up to Wood Crib where I took a further Chub. I changed to trotting sweetcorn and despite the attentions of the hoards of duckings I managed a nice Chub of 2lb 14ozs which gave a good account of itself on light float tackle. Don, the fishery owner arrived and advised me that some good barbel had been caught in a swim in Legg Meadow the previous day. Taking his advice, I moved and immediatly had a few knocks which turned out to be Chub and I landed one of 3lb 14ozs. Then at 3pm I had a better bite which powered off on an unmistakable barbel run. After a good battle I landed the barbel which weighed in at 9lb 3ozs. What a great end to a rather slow day, thanks Don. Oh, I almost forgot the eel.

1 Barbel, 5 Chub, 1 Other

The chub responded immediately to our offerings - mainly halibut pellets - but the barbel took a bit longer. Best chub 4.5lbs, best barbel 9lb 13oz. As always - and thanks to Colin - there was good path along the bank and plenty of potential fishing places. The cuckoo greeted us as we arrived and was still calling as we left. Another lovely day on the Wye!

14 Barbel, 9 Chub

Fished fly all day with. Mainly on Maddox and Vanstone, but also Stones, Gabions and Island. Conditions good, but nothing touched or seen. The upper pools are difficult to access, even on a dry day. How about some fixed ropes or steps? And a strimmed path? The thistles are not good for breathable waders. Access to Maddox and Vanstone is fine.

Not much in the way of fly hatching so on went the goldhead PT, size 14 fished upstream. Fourteen mainly smaller fish were caught, with another five around the 8-10" and one beauty of 16"(two pounds?). Heavy morning rainstorms coloured the river a little in the afternoon, and the river entering from Talybont had a strong sewage smell. Overall an interesting beat with some very large fish spotted.

20 Trout

This was the second day of 3 days on this beat. We arrived to rain and thought we could have a good days fishing, but it was hard going on a low river.

3 Barbel, 2 Chub

Wading and long trotted flake for the chub on the upper section beat 2. Had 8 in the short time there with one fish nearing the 5lb mark. I decided to give up when some canoeists decided to watch me play a chub and in doing so passed over the area I was fishing. It would be good if a message could go out to the canoeing community asking them to pass by anglers and not linger under any circumstances.
Anyway this is three miles of beautiful water.

8 Chub

1 taken on dry fly. Felt like a cool steam room on the river. Another easily arranged day on the Usk.

4 Trout

No Salmon caught. One seen jumping persistently below Backers Crib. Mainly spinning water IMHO with little opportunity for the fly, although there is just enough flow to carry the fly around slowly, if you like that kind of thing.

All fish on Meat or Pellet.

5 Barbel, 5 Chub