Feedback & Reports

Catch report from my day on the usk (Pantyscallog) on Sunday. Only 3 fish, but check out the photo, well chuffed, i could have gone home right then. Tipped the scales at just under 3lb (i did subtract the weight of the net!), almost had a heartattack when it decided to jump so high it actually hit the branches of an overhanging tree!!!!!!!!!!!!, Not to mention trying to fit it in the net! Especially with a 2lb leader on!

Fish were very spooky and had to stalk this one on hands and knee's accross the Mossy boulders.

Good hatch of Very Large Brook Duns, best at about 2pm. Other 2 fish, 1 of about a 1lb, and a little tiddler of under half a pound, all 3 fish safely returned.

Thought I'd let you know how I got on on friday at Pantysgallog - sorry for the slightly late feedback. The morning was very wet with persistent rain, but the river stayed quite clear. There wasn't much rising, but I did manage to get an absolute beauty on a deep nymph, fished NZ style. Over 19" and weighed 2lb 14oz, it gave me a real scrap on my 4-weight and took some time to get in. Nearly lost it at the net - so big it wouldn't fold in on the first attempt, flipped in the air and I had to catch it at the second attempt, like a giant, angry pancake!

The rain gradually cleared but then there was a sudden spate in the early afternoon. The water turned to chocolate and I nearly went home, but after 90 mins it was clear again! The insects started to hatch in the afternoon so had far more bites - caught 3 more trout including 1lb 3oz and 1lb 13oz fish. Olive uprights and BWO hatching, but they took a small Parachute Adams. Had a number of other bites too. Great fishing in a really beautiful beat - thanks! Attach a couple of photos of the big one and a nice river shot if you're interested!

May 17th. Beat 27 Cefnllysgwynne R. Irfon
12 trout to cir.1 lb. with one accidental grayling. All returned. River was in fine shape despite rain on the previous day. Olives were coming of along with every thing else including 'Green Drakes'.

May 18th. Beat 8 Gromain R. Wye
18+ trout to cir.1lb. 4ozs. All returned. Again river was looking very good. While on the Boards at Llanstephan at about 10.15am. an Otter came past me just three feet away! I dont know who jumped the most. It made my day which then got better & better. All my fish came to a size 12 Waterhen Bloa just sub-surface. What superb water!

I now look forward to the 14th. of June when I will be 'On The Rocks'. Thank you Wye & Usk you did me proud!

Beat: Bridge Meadow
weather: overcast, mild
fly-hatches: yellow may duns, olives, midge
30+ Trout to biggest 2lb+ on yellow/olive klinhammer
some tiddlers but average about 1lb

One of the best days i've ever had on a river. Fish everywhere sipping down the big yellow duns. Caught plenty, lost plenty and had a great day. Average size was amazing too.

Last evening I went out targeting the larger fish within the upper Usk on the Penpont beat. Finished with 6 over 2lbs with the best one pushing 3.5lb. All the fish were lying in very shallow water, and after a steathly approach took carefully presented dry flies. The 3 wt took on a hell of a bend when they took off!

We had a superb day on the upper wye yesterday. Dave concentrated on the trout whilst I started looking for a salmon. The heavy rise and seeing Dave's rod seemingly constantly bent made me reach for the trout rod. Dave lost count at 30 whilst I landed 14 to around 1.5lb all on dry fly, superb sport in simply stunning surroundings.

Sun, intense heat and easterly wind to start the week, breaking down to cloud and drizzle for thurs and Friday.
conditions: Very low
May 10th, Titley, 9 trout to 8in on Olive klink
May 11th, Rocks 2 Trout to 10in on BWO
May 13th, Cefn Rhosan-Fawr 4 Trout to 8in on PTN
May 15th, Hergest 22 trout to 10in on PTN, Mayfly
May 16th, Lypole 60+ Trout to 12 in on Mayfly

As you can see, the fishing improved with the weather! We also had a couple of good sesseions on the Llynfi Dulas, catching about a dozen or 15 fish from the top and bottom beats. We struggled badly on the main rivers with the low water and very hot, bright conditions but the last two days and at Lypole particularly, we experienced some of the best fishing either of us have known. They are both beautiful beats as well and the trout are some of the prettiest I have ever seen.

Weather cold after last few days but at least the rain stayed away!
Fly life was amazing! Flies I identified were: Brook Dun, Yellow May Dun, iron Blue Dun, Large olive, medium olive and mayfly I think the trout were so confused by all this they forgot to take our flies - although James my son had 8 to 12" on para ginger quill and blue dun - I had 2 ditto. the other two rods were two tyros on their first river trip who struggled initially to cast but eventually mastered it - and one caught 2 salmon parr so was both were very happy and amazed at the profusion of insect life - and the fish's reaction!

1 or 2 mays about a few upwings and midges about. Returned 19 trout and 6 out of season grayling up to 12" on pheasant tail nymph & black klinkhammer. First class fishing on a beautiful stretch of river in glorious countryside. I was very lucky to have an otter feeding/playing in a pool i was fishing, he never knew i was there. Booked online what a great idea.

I recently had the pleasure of hiring the services of Andrew Cartwright as a guide, whilst on a fishing holiday in mid-Wales. Andrew was not the first guide I contacted, but was the first that gave me a sense that his priority was what I needed.
I had planned to get the most out of my 2 days with him, and he helped me achieve all of my objectives, including reservoir, small river and larger river fishing, and learning a variety of techniques. The only problem for me is trying to remember it all. To that end, Andrew was kind enough to permit me to video him tying some of the flies he uses (a good sample of which he provided on the first day). With his local knowledge, the flies he ties, or his variations on established patterns, will get you into fish way ahead of shop-bought generics.
I can honestly say that the only times Andrew picked up the rod was to demonstrate a technique, or to patiently unpick one of my many tangles! He was on my shoulder at all times to give advice, which he did without ego-tripping in the slightest.
Andrew will take you where he is confident of the best chance of catching, rather than personal convenience - I would strongly recommend a chat with him before booking any fishing beats (he is also a mine of information regarding suitable accommodation!).
I can unhesitatingly recommend Andrew to anyone; he carries a quiet confidence which puts you, the pupil, at ease, and enables a relaxed but effective learning session.
Tight lines!