Feedback & Reports

Now I know where to find the fish, had another great day at this very picturesque beat. No joy in my initial spot, but after I found where there was depth and flow it was a fish a cast - despite losing a lot of rigs initially in the weed and very rocky bottom in places. The river was very low again and absolutely gin clear, but the secret was definitely to find some depth and flow. Not a single chub all day but barbel from 5lbs to 12lbs and a total of seven doubles. All fish caught on 2x12ml sonubaits ellipse pellets glued to a hair rig on a 15 inch hook link of 12lbs breaking strain, with micro-pellets in a large drennan flat-bed closed end feeder. Not a touch on smaller pellets, boillies, ground bait in the feeder or a longer hook-link. All fish caught on my 2.25lbs test curve Daiwa Infinity specialist babel rod with 15lbs TFT Gear red mist mainline and a size 10 Guru hook. I fished until 8pm and would have stayed in to the evening if I hadn't realised my head torch had packed in! The only slight down sides to the day were the noise and activity in the National Trust property opposite, having 5 canoes hit my line despite my giving them early warning, and having to remove previous hooks and line from 3 fish - but having said all that I can't wait to get back to this excellent Wye & Usk beat.

27 Barbel

Warm but very blustery and overcast with driving rain most of the time between 12.30pm - 4.15pm. A couple of bites on bubble float/worm near ticket booth but none caught. Too windy for fly casting. Nothing on spinner.

Tough day, managed to winkle out 4 trout to 8" on a small olive para from some short runs, but spooked everything else I saw in the low crystal clear water. Very enjoyable day nevertheless.

4 Trout

Perfect weather - light breeze and a little sun. Water level low but with plenty of access to good runs and pools. However no rising fish till afternoon and then just minute tiddlers. I have yet to catch a grayling this season when normally they would be rising everywhere. Where have they gone! When we arrived a flock of mergansers - about 16-18 - took off. I have noticed these ducks on nearly all my trips to the Wye this year, as well as on my local stream the Rea. Could these fish eaters be the source of predation since they are especially fond of salmonids? Will try the Irfon next time!

Perfect days fishing ruined by canoes. Had one small barbel early on the pellet then canoes appeared need I say more.

River low and very clear. This is a difficult beat having fished it twice now. I caught two smallish Chub on trotted bread crust, and a third small one on meat. A lot of weed coming down which made fishing a feeder difficult at times. The beat no doubt holds some good fish, but it may be easier in the Autumn I believe. An easy stretch to reach from my home near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, 1 hour 30 mins door to door.

3 Chub

Fly fishing, water very low.

7 Trout

10 Trout

5 trout between 11 inches and 15 inches. 5 of about 5 inches. All but one taken on gold head nymph fished New Zealand style. Few fish rising. River would benefit from clearance of fallen trees towards upper end of beat to open up two pools which are currently unfishable. Lovely days fishing with kingfishers, dippers and otter prints!

10 Trout

River quite low.