Feedback & Reports

On arrival to Fawley Cross and the entrance to the farm it wasn't obvious which route through the farm we should take to the river and after 2 failed attempts to work it out we finally ended up asking I local land worker directions. We arrived at the top of the river bank not too sure exactly where we should park, so we asked the farm worker who we followed down the field from the farm. He was actually down there to prime up an extraction pump which was right above the pegs we intended to fish. This pump ran intermittently on 3 separate occasions through the day for about 45 minutes breaking the otherwise peaceful tranquility with very loud noise emissions and a stomach turning smell of diesel fumes, not what you expect to encounter from the Wye Usk Foundation and £22 for the privilege . Not to be put off we had a walk up and down the stretch to find the river very low and in most parts only about 2ft deep on the lower gravel runs. We took a walk past the extraction pump upstream but having walked a good 300 yards could find no accessible pegs to fish and in any case the entire bank was cordoned off with an electric fence to keep in the cattle. Disappointed was an under statement! We both decided to fish from the concrete plinth as it looked the most likeliest of areas where we felt Barbel would hold up at the end of a run off in slightly deeper water.
The river was carrying a lot of leaves and loose streamer weed making it impossible to keep a clean line or hookbait. Still full of enthusiasm we set about it. My friend chose to fish a combination of pellets ranging between 8 mm to 19mm "He didn't have a bite all day". I decided to fish luncheon meat having earlier in the week had some success with it on the Severn. I too struggled too to get any indications or bites and did try many variations on bait. Line and hooksizes. I ended up with 1 small Barbel about 1.5lb and later about 4pm hooked 1 larger Barbel but it took my 10lb mono hook length around a rock and broke it. I also caught an Eel on the same method fishing luncheonmeat on the bomb. Loose feeding hemp and 4mm pellets. All in all a disappointing day in a lovely location which was spoiled by an an annoying extraction pump and the condition of the river on the day. We wont fish this area again mainly due to the extraction pump and the lack of fish caught. Definitely poor value for money.

2 Barbel, 1 Other

The anglers on the far bank, opposite the beach, packed up after a couple of hours and that probably should have been our cue too. However, we stuck it out, but for little reward. The noisy pump is a constant reminder of how abstraction continues even when the Wye is rock bottom low.

1 Barbel, 4 Chub

Hot and sunny conditions. Very good access on this beat, open banks and plenty of swim choice. No fish on this day. Please note there is a makeshift pumping station running at different times during the day which is very noisy and shatters the peace.

Was fishing here 7am-4pm on a sunny day. Water levels on the lower side. Nice stretch but didn't have much luck with only one small barbel from the beach section. Changed swims 5 times to try every part of the beat not to much luck. The water pump on and very loud for most of the time. Not sure who owns the opposite bank but there came 4 anglers in a van, sat all opposite myself, some fished two rods, some fished maggots which I thought was not allowed. Moved downstream only to see another lad on the opposite bank using a keepnet.

1 Barbel

Whatever the reason, I found no fish wanting to take my bait today. I figured the barbel would be in the faster water near the car parking area. I figured wrong. A nice day, but on reflection I should have arrived earlier and moved around more.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

River low and very clear. We had 6 small barbel which were mainly taken late afternoon as the sun went off the water on pellet and meat.

6 Barbel, 5 Chub

River in perfect condition which is more than could be said for the weather - high winds and torrential rain! The two barbel were caught by one angler late in the afternoon and three of the chub were really chublets.

2 Barbel, 4 Chub

Beautiful, hard to say more. Had great day apart from weather and doing an impression of the scared cat in Tom and Jerry when sliding towards the water. Raining hard and slippy but a great day. Three barbel, all over seven pounds and hard fishing but weather not ideal. Thanks WUF, great experience.

3 Barbel

No fish unfortunately. Weather didn't help but I will return.