Feedback & Reports

Had an excellent day at this gem of a lake, was a fairly strong wind when I turned up about midday, with intermittent rain, fished the roadside shore, in two various locations, and managed to catch two cracking brownies, both about twelve inches in length. One took my home tied clan chief variant, the other my Bibio variant, good solid takes, and superb fish, both released back into the lake. Did have a few nervous plucks on the flies in the latter part of the day, but due to the incoming heavy rain, called it a day about sevenish. Superb location, shall be back very soon, hoping that we get some kind of a summer, and I can fish some dry fly patterns.

2 Trout

Unfortunately the amount of rain from the day before made the river unfishable. The beat does look good, but with an 18 inch rise in the river over a short time period there was no way even to spin

3wbt to 9" all on gold bead GRHE

3 Trout

A few fish at the start of the day, then 5 foot of rising flood water made things difficult!

3 Barbel, 2 Chub

Got there about 6ish in the morning and the river looked good, but about 2 hours later there was about 4 foot of extra water running through with a lot of debris coming down. As this stretch is on the outside of the bend it was fairly dangerous as my friend nearly got hit by a massive tree that was was flowing through (i wouldn't even try going into the wooded area as you'll either collapse climbing the hill to go round it or you'll fall in when in there are there are no pegs on this stretch that are really accessible). I was informed by a local who was walking their dog that the other side of this stretch was day ticket for £7 and had pegs cut out to fish, and then about half an hour later 4 really loud brummies turned up and then that was the perfect time to call it a day as I couldn't bear listening to them shout to eat other from peg to peg. I don't think I'll be paying a visit to this stretch again and if i do I'll be paying the £7 to fish the other bank as it has better swims. Think the swim could produce a good days fishing if there was no flood water running through and also if no one else was fishing the other bank.

1 Chub

7 Barbel, 5 Chub

One Salmon (9.5 lbs) caught on #12 Reverend Mole Double. Silver fresh cock fish.

1 Salmon

Fly Fishing, Catch & Release 2x 12 inch,and one 6 inch brown, released unharmed. Caught on wet flies. Beautiful beat, will returen

3 Trout

Feeder and pellet. Nice stretch of river. Shame about the cattle in the field as they decided to join me. However, its par for the course when river fishing.

4 Barbel, 5 Chub

Weather conditions were not favourable - Rain set in at 0900 and continued until about 1800. Wind was gusty and variable. I arrived at 0600 and fished until 0930 using a duo with an elk hair dry and small black gold bead nymph on the point. Caught one small Grayling. Very few fish showing on the surface, although the water remained clear despite the recent rains. Stopped fishing at 0930 but returned again at 8pm hoping for an evening rise as the weather was by then dry and clear. Still very little surface activity, and I blanked and went home at 9.30pm.
Despite my relative lack of success I was still delighted with the Grayling as I haven't caught one since fishing as a boy in Yorkshire in the mid 1960s!
It was a real treat to fish on a beautiful small river in a glorious location, despite the weather and I found wading quite comfortable up to about thigh depth.
I think this would be a fabulous place to fish in the right conditions and would definitely go back for another session or two if I get the opportunity in the future.
One small point of concern was the forbidding sign saying "Private Property Keep Out" on the gate at the entry to the beat...caused me to re-consult the map before determining that it must be the right way to go. I think the Foundation should put a sign on there to reassure newcomers like me that they are entitled to access the river through that gate.
Many thanks to the helpful people at the Foundation who gave good and willing advice, and pointed me to the ideal venue for a days trout fishing- shame about the weather though.

1 Grayling