Feedback & Reports

I have some grave concerns about this beat, it looks stunning, and today it was very clear. I walked the entire length of the beat, looking into the runs and pools, and didnt see a single fish. There was a good hatch of Olives and nothing was taking them. I fished my whole range of flies - down to tiny dries and nymphs and very light leader - and only one small pluck. On some of the neighbouring rivers - the Lugg, Clun etc there are lots of juvenille fish in the river, and fish are always seen - but not on this beat? Are there fish still there? Have they followed the salmon upstream - or have they been taken by one of the many goosanders or cormorants I saw. Lovely beat, but the fishing was awful.

Water turned out to be too high for what I wanted to do - wade and trot a float - and the feeder from the bank would have been easier. I ended up with just 1 x 2 pound chub and a few small dace etc by link legering in a slack.

We arrived to find a good looking river on a morning considerably milder than forecast. However, strictly in coarse fishing terms, the day proved to be a disappointing and it must be said, expensive - BLANK! Despite fishing 8 different swims during an 8 hour session we didn't hook a single chub or dace between us on trotted maggots and, if there are any pike in the stretch, they completely ignored our normally very effective large soft plastic 'replicant' type lures. Nevertheless we did still very much enjoy the day thanks to a steady stream of obliging and feisty, if mainly small, grayling and (out-of-season) brownies that were all carefully returned.

A good day on the grayling: had at least 22 fish between us, with the best at 41cm. Also had one brownie. Fantastic to watch several salmon on their redds doing their stuff. Fish came to a mixture of nymph tactics and several on the dry during a midday hatch.

Enjoyed my day on this beat so much last Tuesday decided to try again on Sunday. After reading up about Czech nymphing I was ready to go! The river was well up since Tuesday, evidenced by the increased flow over the weir. I was also dismayed to see a lot of colour in the water...but it is late November, what else should I have expected? First fish was an out of season brownie of a good size. Next fish a good grayling (my first of any size...hooray!) Both fish on a PTN over a Czech nymph. Then things went quiet. Fished to the only two rises of the day, Klinkhammer, for two more small grayling. Several very close encounters with an Otter fishing below the weir...wonderful to observe. A great day, more practice needed and a little less water in the river...Thank You WUF

First time on this stretch and the river a good 2 foot up but still qite clear. Stunning stretch of water and plenty of meandering turns and potential holding places. However vey cold and only managed 2 small grayling. Great beat and will return on a more pleasant day.

Had a fabulous day despite the rain. Saw an otter cub (rare as hen's teeth here in the East Midlands!) to add to the mother and cub seen at Arrow mill the day previous. I then went on to catch 3 grayling (42 cm, 35 cm and about 25cm) and 2 out of season brown trout ( small), unfortunately the other rod blanked. Can heartily recommend the accommodation at The Bateman Arms at Shobdon (contact number in the Passport)

Had a lovely day on the river Arrow, I caught one grayling approx 1lb plus which was returned safely.

Looked at the weather and made a last minute decision to have a day on this delightful new beat. It was frosty and foggy when I arrived. I'm new to grayling fishing and it showed. Had 3 small out of season brownies all on a PTN dropper fished over a Czech nymph on the point. Had three other fish on which were all larger, presumed grayling, but all threw the hook!......lack of experience I guess. Wow these wild fish are quick! Only one small fish rising all day. Never the less a most enjoyable day away from the "hustle bustle" of daily life......Thank you WUF

My first time Grayling fishing, had a great day. Slow start more down to my lack of knowledge than the river, but as I got into it things started to improve. I caught 6 fish, 5 grayling and 1 out of season brownie, biggest grayling 17 inches and over 2lbs cracking fish I was over the moon. Lovely stretch of river will definitely be back.