Feedback & Reports

River at summer levels - three grayling - first and two on black and peacock spider. Last fish on Endrick spider.
Largest fish weight estimate one pound. Thank you for great fishing day.

2 x grayling 15 and 16.5 inches, 1 x out of season trout 8 inches. A nice brace, but I think I was quite lucky to get them. I haven't fished the Arrow (or Lugg) for months as the webcam has shown no sign of fresh water for a very long time. However, I had booked the Leen well in advance, remembering what a very productive beat this can be in October, as well as a charming place to spend the day. When I got there, however, I was taken aback by just how low the river is. Almost no flow through the pools, slime over the bottom, duckweed in the edges and pond-skaters the only insect life to be seen. A rise somewhere might have provoked a dry fly approach, but I didn't see one. The only method which seemed to work was hand-retrieving a couple of light nymphs very slowly along the bottom of a deep pool - because there was no flow to move them in the normal way. The grayling caught there looked healthy enough, but fought rather sluggishly in warm water. I left early afternoon, with the temperature in the high 20's, and concluded that the Arrow is best left alone till some proper rain actually falls on Radnorshire and N Herefordshire to cheer it up a bit, after which I am sure it will fish as well as ever.

3 x grayling 15-16 inches, bugging. A really beautiful winter's day, still and sunny, with the temeperature hovering just above zero - although there was no visible frost, the air being so dry. River still a little high but looked in nice condition. Nevertheless, fishing was very hard work and by mid-afternoon I had made no contact. At 4.30, with the sun going down and the rod rings beginning to ice again, I found a pod of nice grayling in a very deep run. It was one of those places where a man of my height finds it necessary to wade to the armpits and bounce around on tip-toe, while envying those tall young fellows from the Foundation who no doubt take these deep holes in their not inconsiderable stride. If you have visited the WUF, you will know the ones: always first to be aware when it starts raining. Lost one good grayling and netted three, which made a very satisfactory end to a lovely day. I'm sorry to see that we lose this beat at the end of January; whether the fish are co-operating or not, it's always a nice place be. Can the WUF get it for next year perhaps?

A most enjoyable day with water level returning to fishable height from recent floods. Sadly no grayling could be tempted by our nymphs and shrimps!

Nice conditions to greet us on arrival, temperatures hovering above zero and a river that was somewhat low and crystal clear. Certainly a slow start until we located a shoal of feeding fish where we were able to connect with some fine specimens including a cracker estimated at 2 1/2lb caught by Peter on a small JT nymph. This beat has many inviting pools but as so often at this time of year they are not all occupied by fish and sometimes a lot of fruitless searching is required before finding them. 9 good sized Grayling and a couple of out of season trout between us, certainly worthy of a return in the future.

Above freezing at last, for a day at least, and some bird-song to be heard above the pistol-shot cracking of marginal ice sheets. There was even an olive hatch during the afternoon, although no signs of reaction from fish. Arrow running very clear although I expect it may colour up now if the thaw continues. I fished with a pair of weighted bugs and found shy-biting grayling in just a couple of places. 7 x grayling altogether, 4 in the 10-12 inch range, best 3 fish: 15, 17 and 18 inches.

I think I may have been a Little optimistic but never mind! After talking to Richard the farmer at the Leen his suggestion was to turn around and go home. Problem - ice, which apparently appeared over night. Never mind, after inspecting the river several swims were fish-able so on with the gear. The lower section from the old railway line was solid! 1 1/2hrs later stopped for a coffee break, no fish! Fished till 3.30 with variants of gold head nymphs but no joy, however it was a beautiful day sun shining birds singing and as Arni says I WILL BE BACK.
P.S. the fish were there, I saw at least 11 under the ice!

Had a fabulous day despite the rain. Saw an otter cub (rare as hen's teeth here in the East Midlands!) to add to the mother and cub seen at Arrow mill the day previous. I then went on to catch 3 grayling (42 cm, 35 cm and about 25cm) and 2 out of season brown trout ( small), unfortunately the other rod blanked. Can heartily recommend the accommodation at The Bateman Arms at Shobdon (contact number in the Passport)

Had a lovely day on the river Arrow, I caught one grayling approx 1lb plus which was returned safely.

First time on this beat, fished from bridge upstream. The river was clear and at a reasonable level, but cold. It is a very fishable piece of water with a mixture of glides, riffles and bends in quiet surroundings. On a very cold day I managed 6 good grayling, with a couple of beauties. All fish were caught czech nymphing with heavy 'bugs', but I did see a few fish rising later in the day. Easy booking using online system.