Feedback & Reports

River on the way down after being very high the previous few days. Was very mild overnight and during the day.. Caught it spot on for Barbel fishing though I persisted with the Pike gear for the majority of the day to no avail. Managed a couple of Barbel and a couple of Chub late afternoon into the evening.
Great day on the river.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

4 Barbel, 4 Chub

river level measured 1.3m at Hereford bridge, croy underwater, fast flowing heavily coloured, no safe access to river on upper stretch. All fish came from first field swims. Banks very slippery with silt from previous high water (3m+), but a number of swims were OK, although landing fish proved challenging, long landing net required.

1 Barbel, 3 Chub

River running off following the w/e spate (.53m ay 9:30 on the Skenfrith gauge) so still fast but clearing. All fish caught on heavy nymphs in pool tails, with nothing in the riffles. Four grayling 10-15" (all in bottom half of beat) and an OOS trout at 16", all french nymphing. I was kept company throughout the day by a pair of Dippers, who often settled on rocks very near me chirruping and preening, and generally finding me most interesting. Another good day.

1 Trout, 4 Grayling

River still up but falling slowly. Water quite cold though a mild day. Lost a smallish chub early in the session when the hooklink inexplicably broke. Then quiet until a bit of activity in mid afternoon when I hooked a barbel, played it for a couple of minutes then the hook pulled. A few more nibbles followed, then another good bite, this resulting in a chub of about three pounds. Fished on past sunset, but no more fish or bites. Despite lack of success it was good to be on the river again after a month away.

1 Chub

Water level had dropped to 1.6m with visibility about 2 foot. Water temperature was 7.8 and overnight temperature 8 so it looked promising. Fished 3 swims with 4 bites between them all on meat. Biggest chub was 4.14 but no barbel.

3 Chub

3 Barbel, 5 Chub

River quite high and although air temp was mild water temp felt very cold. A bit of a struggle. Not the easiest best to fish in these conditions, high and slippery banks. Also of note, it wasn’t possible to park at the designated parking area at the top of the beat as the water company have put out traffic cones on the grass verge and put up signs asking you not to park there.

2 Chub

The river was still up a bit following the weekends rain (0.64) on the Byton gauge but there were still some decent swims for trotting maggots. Three small grayling and an out of season brown trout were caught. An enjoyable day on a nice beat even if I didn't manage to catch one of the bigger grayling. Hoping to get one more trip in before the trotting season ends.

1 Trout, 3 Grayling

River very high and coloured and overnight fairly chilly which didn't help.One Barbel fell around lunchtime but no more action.

1 Barbel