Feedback & Reports

River running high, spent all afternoon moving from swim to swim. Got 2 in the end, a 7lb and 10lb 3oz barbel.

River 4 to 6ft high, fished Ferry Pool and near car park, did not catch. Don was very helpful and it was a very enjoyable day.

On arrival at the river it was evident the previous nights rain had caused the level to rise significantly, even so there remained a small degree of clarity rather than the hot chocolate colour it could have been! Being reasonably familiar with this beat we decided to persevere despite the booking office advising it would likely be a difficult day. We managed one small OOS trout landed between us which was safely returned but had several other pulls and fish on with a good sized trout being lost in the first half hour. All were taken on small goldhead nymphs very close to the bank. Unfortunately the river height meant that known fish holding spots were inaccessible but considering the conditions at least we had some sport.

We fished for 7 days in the period leading up to the 18th. Our daily catch fluctuated depending on conditions but we had a total of 38 barbel in the period with the largest fish at 10lb 2oz. Chub were scarce, our best was 4lb 4oz.

Near enough perfect conditions, river on the high size. I had a 9.2lbs barbel in the first 20 minutues followed by a 4lbs then a 7.10lbs by 1pm. After that not a single touch. My friend KT had no bites till 2pm, then he managed to land 4 chub. Barbel very poor, we can't understand why? Overfished? River to high? The usual pegs that produce barbel were not producing any thing, pretty dissapointed.

The river was up about 4 feet with wads of debris coming down and the influx of a lot of cold water seemed to have put the barbel off the feed. It was a tough day with just a chub and 5lb barbel banked on pellet. It was still great to out, rounded off with a chat with Colin, the ever helpful and friendly baliff.

Un-fishable. Up and coloured. Nothing seen.

1) I am not one for complaining usually wuf but please, if we must pay £20 for a rod then can I ask what it goes back into? Can I sugest a bit of peg clearing in and around the islands and bottom field, there looks some great spots around there. Or after a days fishing parking at the top of a hill supplying a oxygen tank for the hike back up !!!
2) great place for a peacefull days fishing. Saw one rambler all day. The backdrop of the Aramstone woods and Carey Islands looks great for those daydream moments.
3) THE FISHING, we arrived at 8ish, finished until the sun went down.
MW struck first with a chub at 4lbs on single 8mm halibut pellet in the first 2 mins of the first cast with the river showing on the web cam at 3foot. I didn't cast very far out 60 grm gage feeder was just about holding at about 8-10 meters out.
MS came back with two chub, 3lbs and 4 1/2 lbs opposite the top island on hair rigged meat. MW another chub about 3lbs. Moved pegs around midday to top of beat (there are a lot more pegs up there suitable for course fishing). MS straight into a chub 3 1/2 and straight into the first barbel next cast over 6 1/2lbs. MW added another chub prob just under 3lbs. Gave these swims until about 3ish then moved back to where we started. MS straight back into his second barbel, a bit smaller than the first at 6lbs. We had 3 good chub each and with MS adding two barbel and made his day with PB. Great fishing for the conditions we will return one day to a different beat as to aviod the hill unless you can install a lift on the cliff face :) thanks WUF.

One blank rod (me!) and one 13lb 4oz margin-caught common carp from the second rod. Very windy and relatively cold for most of the day. The fish caught involved a lot of walking and stalking and was one of two margin fish seen between 8.15am and 4.00pm. One or two smaller fish jumped in the main area of the lake during the afternoon but those apart - not much fish action. An attractive Stillwater but definitely a challenging one.

River 2 ft high but dropping, fished Legg Meadow and car park and did not catch. Don very helpful.