Feedback & Reports

Nice looking Beat, safe car parking in the church grounds. River was in good condition so we explored the beat fishing a few swims below the islands and then a few swims in the upper meadow. We stuck with the tried and tested Pellet and feeder approach and although bites were generally few and far between but we managed a couple of small Barbel and a couple of decent Chubb before the night drew in. Thanks to W&UF for the pleasure of fishing on our favourite river and apologies for the late catch report.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

Arrived at the beat after driving through lashing rain still eager as schoolboys, we had a plan like you do, especially this time of year to rove the whole beat to try and find them but as it was raining and very muddy we found a spot each, up went the brolly's and that's where we stayed.
It was Neil's first barbel trip and no matter what the weather, he was on cloud nine! A very good carp angler but now wants to try some proper river fishing as he puts it. He didn't let the side down on a very hard wet day he ended up with a nice 4lb chub and a very welcome 4lb barbel, we were made up for him. Myself, I lost a nice fish early on to a sunken tree, not concentrating on the take and Len lost two fish to similar circumstances. Can't wait to next season for a few more barbel trips. Neil even more so! P.s. We all made it back up the woodland path just!! It could do really with a lot better hand rail and some steps are very dangerous... not joking! A note also, as we were fishing two blokes came and saw us friendly they were and they said there was nowhere else to fish. I said when you book only three people can fish this beat they said they had booked it weeks ago when I booked it we were the only three booked in or so I was told. Chancers??

WUF Note : This beat only allows a maximum of three anglers. This party was the only booking taken that day. If anglers encounter any other anglers on the beat please contact the Foundation as soon as possible.

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

What the beat description/access doesn't mention is that the footpath through Capler Woods is quite a steep gradient and narrow and which we found out when wet is very treacherous when descending (and that was without any kit!) A kindly farmer let us access through his field which was a lot safer. The beat itself fished well despite the rain (we fished from 12.30pm to 5.30pm), we sat in the first field and had 3 barbel (8lb, 7lb 3oz & 5lb) and 4 chub (5lb 1oz, 4lb 14oz, 4lb 10oz and 2lb) all on maggot and maggot feeder.

3 Barbel, 4 Chub

A difficult day on a great looking stretch of river, with a single Chub at dusk saving the blank for me. My friend who was hoping for his first Barbel unfortunately blanked. Will be back in the summer.

1 Chub

Weather mixed between rain and sunshine. Fished for pike most of the day. None caught but missed two. For the last hour fished for barbel. One caught, 5lbs and in very nice condition. Overall a very nice day in a wonderful location.

Our first time on this beat, so decided to split up with RW taking the roving approach covering the top end of the beat, and RB going for the static approach at the lower end. The deeper water towards the top end of the first field proved the most productive, where RB caught the 2 barbel. A beautiful mild day in stunning surroundings made all the more enjoyable.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

We arrived to find the river very high as expected, and didn't feel we had a great chance of catching the barbel but thought it worth a try for the chub, so we soldiered on. Alas, fish on the bank was not to be today, but never the less, we had a great day trying to catch fish. There was an otter around which didn't help the cause but the scenery was stunning. A great day, tried hard but failed this time. Can't wait to visit again. Did Fownhope 5 three weeks ago and couldn't stop catching all day long.

Perfect day for it, warm with a little cloud. River was carrying around half a metre of water with a little colour. The chub came in the morning with no barbel showing until that last few hours before dark. All fish were in excellent condition with the barbel ranging from around six pounds up to around nine pounds. All fish were found in the upper meadows where the river can be difficult to access in places.
If you fish this beat until dusk, make sure you take a torch with you as walking back up through the hill in the wood after dusk would be unsafe. The Cormorant population seems to be thriving. I saw several in groups of up to four birds and one popped up right in front of me after diving for its prey.
A great day out on our favourite river, thanks to Wye and Usk Foundation.

8 Barbel, 2 Chub

1 Barbel 6lb. 4oz. to pellet. 1 Chub on meat. Both fish
fighting fit although barbel a little "Tatty" lower part of tail. Conditions seemed good and quite stunning surroundings but a tough day's fishing. Not sure if this was due to fish numbers or lack of local knowledge as this was our first visit to this stretch of the river. Plenty of bird life to observe and enjoy including, unfortunately, one Cormorant travelling upstream in the morning and seven downstream in the late afternoon.

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

Arrived early morning to a wet drizzly day. Never fished the area before so had no knowledge of the water. Hard going all day. Managed 2 small Chub and 1 Barbel. Very enjoyable scenery. The area was lovely where we were. We will definitely return in the future. Unfortunately on the footpath back to the car I lost the quiver-tip from my feeder rod. If anyone comes across it perhaps they would be kind enough to email me. lorrainehornsby@hotmail.co.uk

1 Barbel, 2 Chub