Feedback & Reports

Since earlier in the week the river had risen a few inches and was carrying colder water following a cold night and early frost. Weed carried on the current was a constant problem. With one rod on Wyebank and two on Courtfield (plus another 3 anglers on Courtfield) and despite Don's best efforts to suggest location, not a bite was to be had except for a foul-hooked 3 ounce Dace and a pike caught on dead-bait by one of the other anglers.

We tried a variety of approaches, switched baits around, lengthened and shortened hook-lengths, fed near, mid-river and far bank spots but all to no avail. Spots that had yielded several doubles only 48 hours before seemed devoid of anything willing to feed. Even the chub ignored our meat offerings, stationery or otherwise.

I think the Government's got it right - don't ever retire because while you're still working you can console yourself with the good ol' "an unproductive day's fishing is still better than a productive day at work".

Thanks WUF, we'll be back to fight another day when the fishing Gods aren't distracted by events in Libya and India.

Having met Don the owner (who seemed to be waiting for us to arrive) he guided us to the wood crib, which had fished well for barbel the day before. Good start - brother in law landing first barbel at 7.5lb and losing another fish. By now water rising fast - lots of weed and difficult to fish. Water had risen 6 inches in 2 hours, packed up early with blank for me, we shall return.

Having fished The Wye around Hereford for the 2 previous days, we had a feeling the fishing was not going to be easy as bites had been hard to come by. Unfortunately things didn't improve very much fishing Courtfield. We met Mr Macer-Wright who was as friendly and helpful as he could be. Many thanks to him. He advised Steve and myself to fish Wood Crib and Big Willow upstream peg. From the latter peg I managed to catch a chub and two nice barbel weighing 7lb and 7lb 4oz from right across on the gravel run just upstream. My mate however couldn't make a bite so we decided to move into Legg Meadow. I unfortunately fished Legg Meadow bottom swim across to the far bank but never had a single indication. Steve however fished the New Swim and just before dark had a barbel estimated 8lb+. All 3 fish fell to 2 x 8mm halibut pellets fished on the feeder with hemp and 4mm pellet.

Four rods fished from dawn till dusk. Started slow with one of us fishing for the pike with only one small one and a dropped run for his efforts. I started on the meadow and had a few sharp tugs but no fish. Moved into the middle of the wood at lunchtime and had a barbel first cast. Ended up with three barbel and two chub plus several lost fish. Lost a lot of feeders on the bottom rocks or weed Had problems with line gratting on an unknown snag mid river causing the lost fish, may fish braid next time. Foul hooked a fish which tore off like a train.
We all caught with Graham catching a solitary barbel of 11 pounds from the large crib at the start of the woods.
Don was very helpful. We will be back. Excellent fishery.

First time at Courtfield, water rising and fair amount of weed pushing through. A real pleasure to meet Don the owner had a good chat with him, (what a down to earth chap), he also gave my friend Phil and I a bit of advise on the beat, Phil took his advise (good job someone listens), he moved producing after 2pm fishing pellet over pellet 4 barbel, 4.8, 6.0, 6.8, a cracking 10lb 12ozs and a chub of 5lb. I decided to stay put and had chub of 4.6 and a barbel of 6.2 most enjoyable. Found some great accommodation a mile away called the Jovial Colliers Bunkhouse, great value for money and the owners Denise and Tony were most obliging.

Fished for pike but no luck on this occasion. However, still enjoyed a good day out - great scenery - bailiff was also helpful.

Great day but took off after 5pm with one swim producing 5 Barbel to 11lb 8oz. Others incl a 10 with 6,7 and 8lb fish caught.
Many thanks to Don the owner for showing us the swims etc. v. helpful Gent!

Had an great days fishing in the wood crib area had seven Barbel biggest 10lb 3oz three 8lb plus one 7lb and finaly two five pound plus fish, all caught on halibut pellet could not have wished for a better day.

Fantastic day! A dozen barbel to 9lb 15oz and chub to 5lb 4oz! Bait used was pellet and boilie. Tried a bit of pike fishing but only hooked and lost a 2lb ish eel.

Great day! 4 barbel, 2 of which were doubles, biggest 10lb 6oz. Bait used was boilie.