Feedback & Reports

River up about 12 inches, coloured but clearing. 4 fish caught on nymph. 2 fish lost. Very pleasant day.

4 Trout

After weeks of expectation the weather of course turned nasty.
Three hours in the cold drizzle and nothing to show for it but suddenly changed at about 1pm when a small hatch began and there was a rise right in front of me. Result, a 9" WBT and the first fish of the season.
Three fish (9-12" WBT) and one missed from a fast deep section with a boulder strewn bed then nothing except a dunking after a slip and a lost fly box drifting off downstream. A dry off and a cup of tea but nothing until about 4.30pm when rain stopped and it warmed up. Four fish rising in the upper section, two caught, the last and largest a fraction under 15" (possibly a stocked fish?). Had to leave before covering the last two fish. A classic roller coaster day.
All caught on grey duster and Adams parachute, all returned unharmed.

6 Trout

River a little coloured from rain yesterday. Sunny morning, clouding over in the afternoon, warm. A few grannom hatching,but no surface activity; we saw only two fish rise. We caught nine trout, from half a pound to about one and a quarter pounds, and one small grayling, all on heavy nymphs in deep but fast water.

9 Trout, 1 Grayling

Another great day on the Monnow. Despite plenty of sunshine, the temperature didn't get up beyond the mid-teens - however plenty of fly life. Water was low (almost summer levels) and clear, but cold. No fish moving all day, although a number seen using Polaroids.
Fishing was hard due to temperature, with the best method using a heaving nymph fished NZ style to cover and search plenty if water.
Only 3 WBT banked, biggest of which was a pound, smallest about half that. All fish were silver and skinny. 4 more hooked and lost, and each angler missed half a dozen takes. Once the temperature begins to rise this beat will be even better.
Stunning location, great fishing and a fantastic pint of HPA at The Bell to round the day off. Finally a big thank you to Chris Price (www.castingwithstyle.co.uk) for a great hour of tuition in the morning - can't recommend enough.

3 Trout

River quite high and water carrying a bit of colour. Hatches at around 1.00 and 3.00 but no rises. Didn't bother with dries, stuck to nymping but with no success! Still, a glorious day to be out on such a beautiful stretch of river.

Really enjoyed this trip. First proper river for me so steep learning curve but water was at what looked like its normal level. No movement on the surface so just used PTN through the riffles. Both fish caught at the end of a pass on the uplift. Only about 7 inches and very silver after the floods. Would recommend chest waders to really take advantage of the water. Very happy with the foundations services. Website is excellent and very easy to use. Webcams are a great idea to. Highly recommend an ale in the Bell Inn after fishing! Can`t wait to go back in the spring.

2 Trout

Cold water and the fog didn't lift so the promised sun didn't arrive. Fished the whole beat with a weighted nymph but no sign of any fish.

The river was coloured with lots of water pushing through, which made wading a little tricky - as DJ found when he took a ducking within the first 5 minutes. We pressed on as the river cleared through the day, but our efforts proved fruitless - we saw no fish and caught nothing. Access is pretty good but wading is necessary to get to all the water - chest waders and a wading stick are essential. A terrific beat and a great way to spend a day, - we'll be back in a few weeks.

2 x parr at less than 6 inches is all I have to declare on the grayling front. Plus 1 x out of season trout at 15 inches - a non-native with a blue spot on his belly; I guess we can blame Tregate Anglers downstream for that one. So, not a very productive day, but a peaceful and charming one: the mild winter weather and the valley at Skenfrith were just about perfect.

Cock salmon caught on a nymph and safely returned. Approx 5-6 pounds, coloured.

1 Salmon