Feedback & Reports

Arrived at the beat at low water levels, running pretty clear. Made use of the good pool descriptions and focused on noted low water pools.

No fish seen, not even any rising trout to what was a pretty strong hatch of LDO.

I will definitely be returning to this beat to try again.

3 small trout brought us a little smile to see out a pleasant march day.

3 Trout

Fished the top half of the beat on a rising river but clarity remained good for the fly.
No salmon seen or caught but a nice day dusting off the cobwebs.

Fished with two nymphs above and below bridge, both banks. One tiny pull. Good to see slime free gravel but not much in the way of invertebrates under the stones I lifted. One LDO spotted and a few midges here and there.

Only two offers fishing between 11.30 and 3.00. Not really surprising given the low temperatures. One trout a nice fish of around 14”, the other 6-7””. Both came to nymphs. No sign of any grayling.

2 Trout

One v brief gentle pull mid afternoon. Probably snagged a rock. Otherwise no offers fishing from the hut down through ferry and bridge pools.
Companion had two off season trout upstream of the bridge.
Weighted nymph point flies took the fish.

On arrival found river in flood and deemed it too dangerous to fish. Sadly returned home.

One rod, fly fishing. 7 grayling between 8" and 12" caught in the morning towards bottom of beat. All on nymphs, either fished under a dry or straight lined. Tried fished the deeper gutters and glides on the upper half of the beat in the afternoon without success.

7 Grayling

River was in fine condition with the lack of rain, Erwood gauge at 0.9m. Wading around on bedrock can indeed be tricky for the older person here, but this is a stunning beat and throughly enjoyed the day. Trotting I felt was the best method given the winter level, width of river here, and depth in places. Struggled to find grayling in the morning but a couple of hours in the right spot in the afternoon brought 6 to the net, with 2 x 13 inch. Not monsters but so good to see these totally wild fish thriving.

1 Trout, 6 Grayling

Fished 11.00 until 3.00. All but one of the fish came at the end of the session. A few other half hearted trouty pulls, but it was eerily quiet for most of the day. No sign of grayling in any numbers.

4 Trout, 2 Grayling

Trotting red maggots, using a centre pin reel - great fun. The hut at the halfway mark is a gem - thanks to whoever keeps that shipshape. One of the trout was a large 18” clonker. It had really unusual markings unlike the usual brown trout that are caught here. Pale, wavy vertical patterns along flanks and back. Very beautiful healthy fish. 9" - 12" Grayling picked up through most runs throughout the day - good sport, all fish returned. Although I was fine when leaving this time, I would be against parking at the middle area, down a short track to a small turning area, without a 4 x 4.

4 Trout, 9 Grayling