Feedback & Reports

Nil return river still too high.

High and very colored water. I wasn't sure if I'd be lucky that day but perseverance paid as I had 2 lovely trout of 12" each on beaded Pheasant nymphs.

This was our first visit to Chainbridge. We arrived after a night long fall of rain to find the river rising and coloured. Barry, the owner of the beat, was river side casting a spinner as we arrived. He offered to show us the beat and that was very helpful. We could see it had the potential to be an excellent water and the catch returns filled us with hope. Alas the water continued to colour up, a flotilla of jetsam arrived early afternoon and we threw in the towel around 3pm. I had a couple of sizeable trout below the bridge which was too overgrown to fish with a fly. It was an enjoyable day but, with the absence of any showing fish, fell short of sublime!

Love this beat, fast water, glides, pools, and good stamp of trouties. Managed several fish, 3 of which were pushing twelve inches and fought very well. Nothing rising so decided to fish the fast water and heads of pools with beadhead and payed off very well. About 2pm one pool was boiling with fish hitting emergers, switched and bingo bongo few to dry.

River very high on arrival and very coloured. Spent the morning walking the beat and praying for some clear water later in the day. The colour was all from the Wye, the Elan was running clear. Soon after lunch (pie and chips at New Inn Newbridge, v. good - better than the building would lead expectations) the river was down about 5-6" and clearer. The trout were in full swing but did not touch or move a salmon. By 4 it was colouring and rising again. Shame as the runs and pools were just coming in to their own.
A lovely piece of fly water - 13' rod more than enough in post places in fact even too big on some bits - wading not too bad. Very many thanks to Dai in the booking office for all help.

Fishing from 6.30am until 11 am, one swim produced 5 fish. 3 x chub and 2 x barbel. A further 2 fish were hooked but lost on snags.
A very enjoyable first trip to the Wye under the Passport system and will definatley be booking again. Stayed local at Pilgrim house, although breakfast is too late and last servings of dinner is tight for twilight fishing.

Nil catch. One salmon seen move in Bathing Pool after I had fished through, it was hard on the left bank in the slow water past the hot spot. Fished through the pool again working the fly and hooked a fish, unfortunately parted company after a short fight.

2 fish.

9 TROUT, ALL GOOD FISH

We enjoyed our day here. One of our party hooked two fish on the fly, the first at the tail of the Windmill and second on the Island Pool. This beat has great potential but much of the upper part was difficult to access and at times hazardous to wade.
It would be helpful if the house at the top of the beat was added to the beat map for reference so that one can pinpoint The V and The Dog Hole in relation to the house. It would require a lot of extra work but proper entry and exit points to the holding pools would be helpful and improve safety. At one point I couldn't wade back up river or any further down and couldn't get out. It took fifteen minutes to figure out a safe exit.
It might also be useful to have a gauge on the beat with relative wading options in the notes. All work requires funding I know but it would transform this beat into a top salmon fishing venue.