Feedback & Reports

Parked at the top and walked this time as last time got the car stuck. It was really useful to see the video of the swims and access. Not a long stretch and 3/4 swims accessible. First swim to the left didn’t produce on the feeder so switched to the middle swim and caught 6 chub to 3lb trotting meat and feeding pellets so a good day on a nice stretch. It rained a bit and steps down to swims got quite slippery so had to tread carefully. Would benefit from some stones or wood to make them more permanent.

6 Chub

As per MA from Cheshire 7/10/23 we decided not to (couldn't fish) as the bottom half of the beat was inaccessible as water levels had restricted access and those areas that may have been a possibility for a brave person just didn't look safe as bank and path to beat was very slippy / dangerous and with the weather as it was , a rising river and the forecast to be we took the sensible and safe option of not fishing which was a real shame (is this a wash off? I appreciate it wasn't totally flooded but sense prevailed on this occasion).

2 Barbel, 8 Chub

A very pleasent days fishing considering joining chub appreciation group.

32 Chub

We caught 7 Barbel & 24 Chub.

7 Barbel, 24 Chub

River had fined down from previous day and looked much more promising. We both fished the forested section, no bites until midday when one of the two swims switched on. Halibut pellets over hemp was the successful combination.

7 Barbel, 1 Chub

A tough day on the beat, up and hard to hold with 5oz in the flow. Managed some chub but no barbel, a great day though and a great beat.

23 Chub

Last day of the season and via the WUF (thank you Alysson) the owner had kindly let me use an expired Rectory Wash off ticket on Gromain, a beat I had fished many moons ago but not for a long time.

Armed with the excellent detailed beat guide I set off arriving around 1030 at the fishery. The river here is quite big and a little intimidating, especially when there is a good flow running through - c. 1.36+ on Erwood gauge, though finally starting to fine down from the 3m or so it had been a few days before.

So although always felt fishy was quite hard to identify features and less obvious taking points and it felt a bit "hit and hope".

Started at the top on the left bank section near the Bachaway brook and could see that this potentially a good spot but no luck despite some wild thrashing of the fly and lobbing of a mini -flying C.

Good lesson learned that it is not good to alternate different methods as a major loss of focus, not to mention various tangles with overhanging branches as given the water didn't have the temerity to wade too deep.

Then made may way to the other beats on the left bank further downstream below the bridge. Met a friendly fellow fishermen at the the first pool and he let me fish on below him so had a go in Orchard and the Croy which looked promising though I did not connect with anything. Have to say was really impressed with the access to the river here in terms of steps and the disused railway track also had some good parking spaces and a useful place to turn further on.

A note to drivers however the return slope before the gate is quite steep and only 4WD reccommended in all but dry weather.

Back at the Bridge by around 4pm and met another very pro-looking other fisherman packing up in the car park whyowisely said that beat would fish much better at 1m and did I have any heavy tube flies and fast sink tips (had neither) as the fish would be on the bottom with all that current.

He went on to say he had had 20 for the season (gave up counting at 14) so I was inclined to believe him and decided to call it a day and blessed/cursed him as he careered off in his Porsche. Some guys have all the luck as they say.

Before I went decided to have a go on the boardwalk beneath the bridge which was safer and more stable than had looked initially, despite being 3-4 inches underwater. Managed to get a follow on my flying C from something medium sized with buttery belly( likely large trout) which grabbed then spat at the end of my retrieve almost at my feet.

The river is a cruel mistress sometimes but always teaches us a lesson or two.

I will be back to explore this beat again in the future (with hopefully a little less water) as feel have now a better grasp of the lie of the land.

Dry flies and bugging

1 Trout, 3 Grayling

1 Grayling