Feedback & Reports

2 barbel, 8lbs and 6lbs 2ozs, caught on swimfeeder and pellets.

2 Barbel

Fishing quite slow until the late afternoon. Fished the feeder with halibut pellet. River was low, with most fish coming from the deeper middle section of the river. Difficult to fish the whole stretch as there were not many swims so it was not possible to fish different areas. Overall not a bad couple of days. The majority of the Home Fishery bank can be fished from the Courtfield stretch.

8 Barbel, 3 Chub

With the river so low and no fresh water for weeks expectations were not high. Fishing with maggots as loose feed I managed to coax a lovely looking chub to the net but nowt else .... only the small silvers seemed to be active. The other angler set out with maggots on waggler and had a variety of small fish before being smashed by a barbel. After stepping up his gear to cope he lost two other barbel. He did however manage to land a near 5 pound chub which was in immaculate condition.
Despite the conditions it's nice to know some decent chub can be had and the barbel are willing to feed if they can be found.
Despite the walk (it gets easier over time, or is it improving our fitness level?) this beat is growing on us and we look forward to our next visit.

2 Chub

16.00 to dark. Waded out from Tump Park on Lydbrook side to island and spent 2hrs fishing luncheon meat, bouncing down riffle below island for 5 chub in 2 to 4lb size.
At 18.00 waded to Home beat bank (it is possible, no more than knee deep right across river) and fished from the cattle drink area to shallows at top of island using feeder and H Pellet. 3 Chub of which 2 were both 5lb 10oz, and 3 large barbel, 9lb 13oz, 9lb 15oz and 10 lb 6oz.
I waded into the cattle drink area and stirred it up and fished in no more than 2ft deep of water 10yds below it. I have seen large barbel in this area from road on Lydbrook side but have failed to connect with them from Lower Courtfield beat. Possible now that there are fewer canoes the fish will feed more regularly in these shallows.

3 Barbel, 8 Chub

Just one barbel around 6lb landed but a real good barbel lost in a ferocious fight. Very little action and the river looking badly in need of a flush of fresh water. Even the chublets were quiet. Still... the potential to land decent fish is still there for those willing to give it a go.

1 Barbel

I fished the Island Pool early morning for 2 barbel & a chub before moving to a swim by the pumping station. No action there so moved back to the Island Pool and had another barbel and 2 chub in the evening. The fish were caught on Extracta pellets and/or meat.

3 Barbel, 3 Chub

Water was low, flowing very fast on Swan Island. Fished a lead with pellet. Each fish 4.5lbs in excellent condition.

2 Barbel

River in good condition, plenty of available swims for those who look. A disappointing day but managed a couple of nice barbel and a decent chub. Also landed, after a hard fight, 1 gudgeon taken on double boilie on a size 4 hook to 12lb link. Yeah, I haven't figured it out yet either...!

2 Barbel, 1 Chub, 1 Other

I never thought I would say this about the Wye but the Home Fisherie was slightly dissapointing
Not because of the beat itself but because of the very selfish idiots in canoes. All 200 plus of them totally oblivious of anglers and not a care in the world if they cut your lines and to top it off people from the youth hostel swimming through your swim!
Apart from this hassle we made the best of it and scratched 5 barbel and 4 chub. If you're reading this and have booked the beat I would strongly recommend you only fish very early or very late and avoid the daylight hours!
Once again we love the Wye and will definitely be back soon but not back to the Home beat I'm afraid.

WUF note - Please be aware that canoe traffic on the weekends is substantially heavier than during the week.

5 Barbel, 4 Chub

River looked amazing, bit of colour but not chocolate but ultimately failed to live up to what was expected.
5 barbel and a chub are not to be sniffed at of course and it was enjoyable fishing.
However, it is a long walk from the car to the first swim. And despite being a 20 year Wye veteran, fishable areas were at a premium. I loved it, need to see the banks in winter when they aren't covered in undergrowth to get a better idea of the areas that are fishable.
If you don't like walking or creating a swim this isn't for you. If I had a car this is the only stretch I'd fish purely because it's such hard work!

5 Barbel, 1 Chub