Feedback & Reports

1 Rainbow by float.

One very small trout caught early in the day on a small gold nymph. Beautiful river that I would like to fish again, although I saw very few fish and there was no rise. As my first time on the water I probably did everything wrong and fished wet and dry alternatively, big and small. Best take was to a size 12 Alexandra but failed to hook. Couldn't lure anything subsequently either but I imagine fish are there as the river looks perfect. Weather was occasionally very bright and river clear.
On the down side, whilst a very pretty stretch, wading is mandatory and a wading stick essential. It is very difficult to get in and out of the river except for a couple of obvious places, so you might take a grappling hook! The result is that you have to be prepared for some quite long wades and I waded from the weir at the top of the beat for about quarter of a mile before I could scramble out. This can be a bit unsettling. Banks are steep and covered in balsam and bramble and sometimes hidden barbed wire. Wading is perhaps not as easy as the blurb suggests and there are some deep holes. Casting also often challenging due to overhanging branches. All this I will know for next time.
Summary: this is really quite wild fishing and little about it is manicured. The angler is therefore faced with a series of challenges, most of which add something to the experience, but I would suggest that the Authority creates or marks better exits and entrances, possibly with ladders. It is not a stretch to "begin" on without these additions, unless the angler is prepared to fish just a few obvious glides. I guess there are fish there and would like to come again! £20 for a day ticket? OK for the scenery, the beautiful river and overall experience, overpriced for the state of the banks and apparent lack of fish!!

1 grayling about 1 1/4lb, nice fish but very little trout activity apart from a few rising fish and one or two takes from small fish. This was disappointing considering that the river seemed in good condition (falling and clearing after rain 2 days previously, and plenty of fly life, sedges and small upwings).

Blanked while others caught and rose fish around me. Must try harder!

No fly during the day until some late afternoon Sedges appeared. Hardly a rising fish at any time - August days! Fished duo most of the day and was grateful for 9 Grayling and 2 Trout and dropped a couple more. 7 fish to PT or GRHE nymphs and 4 to Grayling Steel Blue and EH Caddis. 2 Grayling of 14" and one lovely 17" fish of 1.75lbs. All fish returned.

12 barbel caught from swims near bottom of length. Best fish was 8lb 10oz. Caught on a mixture of pellet baits and a couple on boilies. River was up a couple of foot and coloured, weather was warm, dry and bright.

We had 3 trout, 3/4 to 1/2 lb. River at +9" and pretty brown. Late rise at 8.30pm. Lovely place, thank you.

16 x trout 6-10 inches on a small Klinkhammer. Fishing for a couple of hours before dusk, after the heat and humidity of the day had lessened a bit. I didn't get to the top before darkness fell. The average size of fish on this brook definitely has gone up a bit (a lot of fish in the 8/9 inch range) although there may not be quite as many as there once were. They still aren't monsters, but great fun.

24 Barbel on pellet. Caught fish from several swim.

Arrived late afternoon. River running a little high and slightly coloured. A number of fish rising to hatches of various insects in glides. 2 X WBT 6" each to dark olive klinkhammer and several misses. Great sport for 1.5 hours. Some difficulty moving upstream at this height due to fallen tree in middle of the beat. However, this is a delightful beat and good value for 3 vouchers.