Feedback & Reports

5 x grayling 10-16 inches. A day with the trotting rod, water high but clear. A really tough morning, but in the afternoon, coincident with a large dark olive hatch (although nothing rose)a few grayling came on to feed for a bit.

11 grayling to trotted maggot. Four fish over 2 lb, with the best 2 lb 10 oz.

We were washed off the day before due to the melting snow and a coffee coloured Irfon. After a phone call to Mr Charles Picton (Legend) we decided to come back for some sport. We found a river that had dropped 2 feet over night and the water clarity was much better.

We managed to get the car stuck on the Saturday when viewing the upper part of the beat. Luckily the 'legend' pulled us out with a tow rope. Thanks again Charles.

2 lads decided to start at the top of the beat and worked down, the fishing was hard and they only had 1 a piece. However the lower part of the beat was relly producing, with the remaining 2 of the party enjoying up to a dozen fish each to 1lb 12oz.

All the anglers finished the day fishing the church stretch and had a few nice grayling to keep spirits high on the drive home. All fish caught on trotted maggot.

Thanks again.

River has returned to normal levels - all of the snow and ice has gone, and the river is running clear after the last of the snow melt. Temperatures hovered just above zero, although there was little fish activity. Caught one 12" grayling (long trotting with a centrepin), and that was the only bite all day. The grayling are presumably shoaled up at this time of year. I tried all of the mid-section of the beat but couldn't locate any shoals there.

N.B. The ground is very soft in the plantation parking area so I wouldn't recommend parking there at the moment.

Last week's snow means that access to this beat is still very difficult for all but 4x4 vehicles. Many thanks to Mr Picton and a neighbour for helping to get my car back onto the road after I skidded on compacted snow and ice! The river itself is frozen on both sides of the river, in some places leaving only a small channel in the middle. I managed a small amount of fishing after smashing through the ice. Two grayling caught (1 x 16" and 1 x 17"), both on worm (long trotting). Hopefully the people booked to fish on Thursday will see this entry in time to plan their visit.

The overnight snow provided for some stunning scenery, but the road to the beat was sadly impassable. I eventually found a lay-by on the A483 and accessed the river from the left bank instead so I did get a bit of fishing in. Decided it was too cold for fly fishing so long trotted, which resulted in one grayling (14", 1.25lb) plus a few other lost fish all around the pound mark.

Bright but very cold. Water clear and at a good winter level. Fished the top of the stretch after walking through the plantation. Six grayling to 2lbs: 4 trotting with maggot, 2 to fly - gold head "bugs". Stopped at 2:15 because of the cold. Men our age should know better, but it was good while we lasted.

09.30 to 16.15. Irfon approx 1ft above summer level and very clear. Overnight frost, cold but clear day. Little activity until sun on water, most fish caught after mid-day from middle and lower sections of beats gravel runs. D.W. short fly rod, 6ft leader to gold head nymphs. R.L. 10ft light trotting rod, centre-pin, 2 pink maggot on 16 hook over loose fed maggots. 30 plus grayling to around 1.5lb, 1 chub of 2lb plus and 3 out of season brown trout, largest 1lb plus. All in excellent condition (inc trout) and returned.
Grayling appear to be shoaling over gravel sections, if one fish hooked several more from same area. Chub in middle of beat by pond under nearside trees and best nymphing catches immediatly upstream of this area.
A great days annual escape and fishing on this beautiful scenic beat. Thanks to Charles P and ALL at Wye & Usk for making this possible with minimal effort of booking online from by the log fire!

Many thanks for a great day. Denise Ryeland and I both blanked. River was high and coloured due to overnight rain, but cleared and dropped as we were leaving the beat around 3pm! Despite blanking, it was a great opportunity to do a recce of the river for future visits - can't wait until May/June next year and the colours were just magnificent.

We stayed at Erris Villa in Builth - great hostess in Eileen Coyle, super facilities and breakfast.

Thanks to the Foundation for making booking so simple, affordable and supplying so much information as to make locating the beats so easy.

5 grayling - best approx 1lb. Trotted maggot. Conditions difficult rising water full of leaves.