Feedback & Reports

I had a few hours in which to go fishing this afternoon, so I decided to take the WUF's beat description advice and fish at Dan Y Warren.

I arrived at the beat mid afternoon and was made to feel very welcome by the landowner. The conditions were not as had been forcast, bright sunshine and a blustery wind as opposed to overcast with the threat of heavy showers.
This wasn't going to spoil my afternoon fishing though. The water itself was fairly low and crystal clear.

I studied the water for approximately 30 mins before putting a line out but understandably there was no surface action taking place. Despite this I was filled with hope when I brought a fish to the surface with my first cast. I was fishing a duo and even though I brought a further 10-15 fish to the surface over the next few hours I was unable to bring any to the net.

I will visit this beat again when water levels and conditions are more favourable.

Seven brown trout caught on a Klinkhammer and Iron Blue, all were small fish, up to 8 inches, the big ones kept getting away! There was very little fly life.

Back to Ty Newydd and the sun was shining - no wash off - hurrah!!

Fishing with son James and S.G. 30 fish between us plus a lot of parr - in some areas of the river these are now a dry fly pest - but they are the future fish. In some areas the density is very high which is excellent news.

Best brownie 16", best grayling 14" which fought really powerfully. Lots of grayling in the 9" size group - also a good sign, they have been breeding well! Could wade in to areas that are difficult when water is higher - waded out so could cover run at top of first pool on RH bank, first time the fly went down up came fish - made noise like water running out of bath when fly disappeared! All went very solid - he pulled, I pulled - and the fly came away. Ah well, good ammunition for more "one that got away" stories.

Another big lamprey redd at top of bottom pool. And to cap an excellent day Mr Otter came to inspect both James and Sandy's fishing techniques - they both got a shock when his head suddenly appeared out of the water no more than a rod length away! Wonderful wildlife and fishing as always. Many thanks.

Started off on in the middle of the beat, in the wood, on dry fly but very few fish rising. Worked my way upstream and fished the pool below the weir. Having switched to a caddis nymph I caught a trout of about half a pound. A change to a self-tied Teeny nymph led to another three; one again of around half a pound and two smaller. Funny how much more satisfying it is to catch on your own fly! All returned safely. Lost four others.

Still can't believe water like this, in such a beautiful setting, is available for such a reasonable cost!

Total 5 brown trout caught, 3 of which best part of 1lb in weight. 1 Fish kept, also 1 grayling caught. All fish taken on nymph.

Beautiful stretch of water in beautiful country.

Loitered in the flat section at the bottom of the beat hoping for some surface action, gave up and switched to Klink and nymph in the tail of the fast water. A 14? trout launched itself out of the water taking my klink with it, managed to land him after one hell of a fight. A 12? trout took the nymph five minutes later.

Worked my way up the best of the beat, a wild river indeed lost of deep swirly pools, ran some nymphs through on long leaders to no effect. More of a salmon beat I think.
Good dry fly section at the top, no activity though.

My real jammed and I couldn?t fix it so I returned to my car to get my spare, sat on the bench on the porch of the village shop and enjoyed a cold drink, if only it was a pub! Returned to the pool below the first stretch of fast water, above the flats. Evening rise started at 8.30 sharp, hooked five on a Tupps landed three.

Overall, bottom section good, top section possibly good if fish are rising. Middle section? Bring a salmon rod.

We both enjoyed 2 good days fishing on the Thursday and Friday and look forward to a return trip. Stayed over at the Green Man and enjoyed a good breakfast. The weather was a touch too windy but generally warm and dry if a little too cloudy for my taste. The fast swims yielded a couple of barbel each (5 in total) all on pellet. We also took a good number of chub to 5 lbs on luncheon meat. The barbel were in very good condition, fought vigorously but were a touch on the small side with non over 6 lbs. We spotted a brilliant Kingfisher to add some variety to an enjoyable event.

This beat never disappoints. Two grayling and two trout of about 10? on the lower section, one on an olive klink the other three on the ptn hanging from it. No massive hatches, trickle of those little yellow jobs throughout the day, yellow may duns ?

All went quite in the afternoon, bright sun didn?t help. Getting bit bored and hot, was it a mirage? Could see a deckchair on the river bank in the far distance? Yes I could! Settled down for a kip in the late afternoon sun to await the evening rise, woken up by a sheep at 7.30, probably complaining about my snoring.

Hooked eight rising fish on parachute adams only landed three, the last one, a cast at maximum distance to the area below the bridge, above my waist in an unexpectedly deep section adjacent to the stone wall by the road, the fish obviously thought such extreme casting warranted a response and obliged accordingly.

Retired to the bell at 10 o clock for a much deserved pint of Wye Valley Bitter.

All first time Wye men and desperately looking forward to it. No disappointment driving over Kerne Bridge and thinking "this is heaven"! 40 frustrating minutes later after deciphering some seriously poor directions we arrived at MHC!

Very difficult to determine where the parking areas are, particularly the "bottom" parking area which appeared to be fenced off although on closer inspection it was possible to get through. A little signage would be of great help!
Alighted in the top parking area and proceeded to walk the stretch. Truly a beautiful stretch of river but access to it is difficult to say the least, bearing in mind we are all experienced Teme men and used to early season jungle warfare prior to fishing!

We found it very difficult to actually walk anywhere near the river on the downstream part of the beat so reluctantly gave up, it would have taken almost the full day to cut any worthwhile swims out and neither were we sure whether we were allowed to?

Walking upstream we found a few (very!)swims that had been cut out and, through Hobson's choice, dropped into them. The upshot was 2 barbel and 3 chub between us, none of any size.

General comments are a very friendly and helpful booking service, profoundly poor directions and signage to parking areas, wildly overgrown banks, more canoes than the South Sea islands but a fabulously beautiful place!

Overall opinion is that the jury's out on the Wye at the moment but we've booked with the Foundation again for 3 days in September so watch this space!

Some good fishing in upper stretches but hardly a thing rising. Water cloudy after rain. 3 WBT decent to a pound returned well and good.