Feedback & Reports

The day started off really tough with a few fish coming from the streamy runs, as the day progressed and we moved up the river things started to look up. We finished the with 29 fish between us the best two fish being around
1 1/2lb a piece.

9 WBT to 8" all on dry (Adams, Sedge, Klink). Suspect would have been more if I had taken Passport advice and kept to the coppiced section. However, I struggled through pretty dense undergrowth for the morning and caught nothing due mostly to my clumsiness although a startled vixen did a good job of putting the fish down in one pool!

Plonkers with paddles mercifully absent today, just a few good-mannered groups and family crews. Sadly, the fish also went missing. Well no, they were there, safely tucked underneath the bank-to-bank streamer weed festooning the 70 per cent shallows that comprise this beat. It was hot, bright and clear and they would not look at baits on 8lb bs rigs (no point going lower, you simply wouldn't land any barbel hooked). Probably emerged to mop up all my free offerings under cover of darkness, by which time I was struggling manfully up Cardiac Hill to the car, with no barbel and only a smattering of chub of no great size to my credit. Conclusion: Probably a better autumn and winter venue than in this low water spell.

Well, I'm aching today! What a mission this beat is to work out how to navigate the safest and most succesful way - once you have however, this is true wild fishing and very rewarding. An absolutely stunning gorge, with pools, run-offs and step riffles to die for, add to that more brown trout than you could ever imagine existed and you've got a 1st class voucher beat. Caught 8 or so small brown trout and a few salmon par all on tiny Copper John's. The only downside was the very low flow which made things tough. All in all I felt like I was in a scene from Predator or Avatar - a great escape from the world out there and I think any small stream angler should have a go at this beat at least once.

Plenty of variety of water for barbel. Spent a leisurely morning walking the lower half spotting barbel feeding on the extensive weedy shallower (4ft+) stretches, and other spots. Fished the shallows but canoes activity and lunchtime called a halt after one 4lb chub.
Back in the evening targeting the other spots for 25 barbel from 2lb to 8lb 8oz with plenty of 7's and the rest (enough!) 4 to good 6's.
The boulders and rocks are generally flat throughout with a downstream shadow so suitable techniqe will mitigate tackle loss. I lost 3 feeders and one rig, 2 of the feeders bumping off at the net with the 5lb'ers that just will not give up. Also two barbel taking seconds after the feeder dropped as did many; probably foul-hooked as I got back scales. Adjusted the rig to stop that with smaller hook and longer hookling and went on for an eventful evening.
Access and security using the upstream point I thought was very good throughout, with gentle approaches to the water and several swims already there, but you had to look for them. Nice and away-from-it-all and many options for the future.

One of the nicest stretches of river I've visited/fished. Although the river was low and clear and there was a gusty wind, caught 6 brown trout to 8" on a little black flash back nymph suspended under a klinkhammer. The day was topped off by a pint of Snowdon Pale Ale from the Llanthony Abbey cellar, drank on the lawn amongst the ruins. A spectacular day that should be compulsory to everyone at least once a year.

3 days fishing with A.T who will I am sure enter his own catch report. 14 barbel over the three days to 8.25 lbs. 6 chub to 2lbs. 3 small eels. All on pellet/paste. Very quiet during the day.....watched a fine pair of sandpipers feeding in the margins. Evenings were the most productive time. Lots of cut weed coming down for the whole three days.

Four small trout. Not much activity and rather windy. Lovely stretch of water though.

I fished this beat from 2 - 7pm. Started just below the bridge and caught a 10" wbt almost immediately, on a JT tungsten bead PTN #18 under a Klinkhamer, but this was not to continue. Lots of small fry splashing at the Klink and chasing the nymph. Ended the day with 4 more small wbt to 6" and a nice grayling about 8". The water was nice and clear, a little low in places but flowing well.

Absolutely beautiful location, especially with some scattered sunshine.

Blank day. Water very low and rather a ferocious wind.