Feedback & Reports

The day started off with the first real frost of the season and with temperature below freezing it was going to be hard conditions. This was my fist time fishing the Wye and was looking for my first Barbel on my Birthday.
The bank was very slippery an some swims very muddy. I fished the last swim near the Island and cut. I would of needed waders or high wellies to fish over the cut as the water was high. I caught one small barbel (my first) around 2.5lbs that I was very happy with, on pellets and feeder early on. The water was coming though fast and made it very hard work.
I will come back to the Wye again in the summer and hope to catch more barbel. I had a great day all the same and a great birthday catching my first river Wye barbel.
Thank you.

1 Barbel

It was a difficult days fishing with the river in flood. Tried ledgering for Barbel and Chub without success. Changed to float tactics near to the bank and caught one small Dace. Although the fishing wasn't too good the wildlife was fantastic! Lots of Kingfishers darting about, Robins feeding on the maggots at arms length, buzzards circling overhead and Mallards paddling up and down. Lots of noisy Pheasants too but I dont class them as strictly wildlife.

1 Other

River was in flood - though at a steady level through the day. Fished a large chunk of flavoured luncheon meat. Caught 1 x 1lb eel - that was right in the main flow with 6 oz lead holding bottom. Put it back. Nothing else. Roved, fished the main flow, creases, slack water and at one point 12ft above the water in a tree. I am sure the barbel were feeding but due to my lack of knowledge of this stretch didn't catch. I had a great day though and will be back. Lovely fishery.

1 Other

Found the river quite high but more than fishable. Stunning place. Highly frustrating day with a lot of hook ups on the bottom. The rock here seems to grip the hook especially when fishing deep nymphs. But managed a few. Nothing bigger than 12 inches.

3 Trout, 12 Grayling

The water at Abernant was high and fast moving (3') but it was clear enough. The level fell during the day, and visibility continued to improve.
Graying up to 16" were caught, most were under 12", and mainly caught long trotting with maggot, although nymphs were used for a couple.One 15" and several small, out of season trout were also caught.
We were guided by Oliver Burch, whose knowledge and expertise made our day well worth while in tricky conditions.

11 Grayling

Arrived to find the river slightly higher than I anticipated and rising, but we decided to crack on anyway. Stuck at bugging the whole day, first fish was an out of season WBT followed at regular intervals by a few grayling up to 12". All taken on a pink shrimp deep.

1 Trout, 6 Grayling

A cloudy, wind-free day. No insects and just a few solitary rises - took a fly rod but barely worth a cast. So spent the day, as planned, trotting for the first time for over fifteen years. Was reminded from start to finish that managing a centre-pin reel is a lot more difficult that I had remembered! Found grayling though, from a few 6 inch graylets to several very fit 14-15 inch adults; most fish, as has been the case throughout the season on the upper river, were 8-11". Also six OOS trout of 6-10 inches. Left wondering why it had taken me so long to get back to fishing with other than fly rods.

6 Trout, 20 Grayling

12 fine grayling including PB. 1 WBT, 1 parr. All on small weighted nymph beneath Klinkhamer. Waders sprung a leak in crotch, had to endure long, moist drive home, smiling nonetheless! A memorable day; thanks WUF.

1 Trout, 12 Grayling, 1 Other

Found trout more eager than grayling with 4 and 3 respectively to weighted nymphs and a red tag. Trout in good condition considering time of year.

4 Trout, 3 Grayling

20th Nov. River conditions looked good, weather conditions were great but turned out to be a bit more difficult than expected. In the good conditions had 2 Barbel, best 9lb 4 oz, one around 10am, the other on the last chuck. A bit of Chub action in between with 4 Chub, two of which were good 4 lb'rs...
21st Nov. A bit colder and plenty of rain otherwise as per previous day no action at all except for a short period in the late afternoon when 4 Barbel were taken in 4 casts. Best fish at 10 lb 2 oz...
Although not necessarily the most prolific W&U stretch I've fished. this is a really beautiful and peaceful fishery that in my opinion is diverse enough to offer opportunities in most conditions...

6 Barbel, 4 Chub