Feedback & Reports

My first time on the Clettwr and having read the catch returns it felt like I was about to embark on an expedition into some unexplored rainforest.
I initially struggled to find the start of the beat as I could only find one of the white posts that were meant to lead down to it. This was right by the car so from there had to rely on the maps provided, an OS map and the footpath to get down to where I assumed I could start fishing. Even then it took a while to find somewhere with a gentle enough slope to safely climb down to reach the water. This I eventually achieved but I am sure I missed out a good chunk of the beat.
Once I was down in the gorge I was in my element. To me this really is the epitome of wild stream fishing. Down there you feel like you are miles away from civilization, the only footprints seen belonged to Otters and the challenge of making your way upstream, sometimes past quite daunting obstacles makes it even more satisfying. To top it off the fish were feeding and over the course of four and a bit hours landed 12 fish. The first and biggest fish was a cracker at 16 inches which absolutely smashed into my Parachute Adams. It was taken from a deep pool which I shortly afterwards very nearly slipped into as I tried to get past it. I also had a 13" fish further up and lost another of a similar size. The rest were mostly between 6 and 8 inches. Most were taken on the Klinkhammer and a few of the smaller fish were taken on a spider fished New Zealand style. Takes were really aggressive and I missed goodness knows how many and lost even more.
It was a warm, still and humid day and as a result the place was teeming with insects, many of which I have never seen before. There was also a small but steady trickle of Mayflies throughout the whole time I was there.
All in all an amazing day. Unfortunately a limited amount of time and the challenging terrain resulted in me only covering about half the beat. For this reason I will definitely be back but as I have now experienced first hand why so many other anglers have reported getting wet. I will next time bring along a waterproof bag for my phone, wallet etc.

12 Trout

Still very low despite some rain of the previous day and night. Managed to tempt a couple of fish but only fished for an hour in the end. Still a magic place to go fishing.

2 Trout

River low and gin clear, only had time to fish between 12.30pm and 2pm, so fished a few of the pools up to the first footbridge bridge only. Tried klink and dink with no luck, then wading through one pool spooked a few fish lying hard on the bottom so tried a single heavy nymph to get down to them. Lost one after a short fight.
n.b when I was leaving someone else was parked up looking distinctly like they were about to go fishing. As I was leaving I didn't say anything, but I thought W.S. beats were booked by one person only per day.

A grand day out in the sun. Nothing was moving to small dries/paras, so switched to klink and dink. 4 trout to a tiny flashback ptn, and 1 (the smallest) to the klink. 4 were 7" to 10",and one at 12/13" was my best from the Clettwr. All in great condition.

5 Trout

Plenty of water in the river, and clear with only a slight tinge. Fished the afternoon and found some trout willing to look at and occasionally take a para adams. Landed 6 between 8 and 11", all in excellent condition. Hard wading and casting as ever, but very worthwhile.

6 Trout

Amazing stretch that is not for the weak of limb! Only had a couple of small brownies in the low clear water on dry flies but enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. This deep gorge has a prehistoric feel to it with many fallen trees and a million beautiful ferns. We saw native white claw crayfish in the pools and an interesting variety of bird life. Was slightly concerned to find two guys panning for gold in one of the bigger pools as they seemed to be creating a fair old bit of upheaval. Still they were friendly and polite.

2 Trout

Plenty of water and clear, fished a parachute adams 17 with a micro gold head tied off the shank of the dry. Challenging beat, not too bad casting wise considering its location, good day out all fish returned.

7 Trout

Back aching from the previous two days fishing. I knew the Clettwr would be a tough proposition and so it proved to be: the one consolation was the 12" trout that went for my dry. The only rise of the day. Two other tiddlers on nymph. Spooked everything the rest of the time! Water level ok.

3 Trout

A windless day down in the gorge. 7 trout to 9 inches before mid afternoon when the rain soaked through my beard and it was time to head back to the truck.

7 Trout

What a brilliant little river, possibly my favourite of the Wild Stream beats that I have fished. Not much rising, but caught 3 lovely trout on a para Adams, my first dry fly caught brownies, magical stuff. One trout about 5", the other two 8-10". Can't wait for my next opportunity to fish this river.

3 Trout