Feedback & Reports

Plenty of variety of water for barbel. Spent a leisurely morning walking the lower half spotting barbel feeding on the extensive weedy shallower (4ft+) stretches, and other spots. Fished the shallows but canoes activity and lunchtime called a halt after one 4lb chub.
Back in the evening targeting the other spots for 25 barbel from 2lb to 8lb 8oz with plenty of 7's and the rest (enough!) 4 to good 6's.
The boulders and rocks are generally flat throughout with a downstream shadow so suitable techniqe will mitigate tackle loss. I lost 3 feeders and one rig, 2 of the feeders bumping off at the net with the 5lb'ers that just will not give up. Also two barbel taking seconds after the feeder dropped as did many; probably foul-hooked as I got back scales. Adjusted the rig to stop that with smaller hook and longer hookling and went on for an eventful evening.
Access and security using the upstream point I thought was very good throughout, with gentle approaches to the water and several swims already there, but you had to look for them. Nice and away-from-it-all and many options for the future.

One of the nicest stretches of river I've visited/fished. Although the river was low and clear and there was a gusty wind, caught 6 brown trout to 8" on a little black flash back nymph suspended under a klinkhammer. The day was topped off by a pint of Snowdon Pale Ale from the Llanthony Abbey cellar, drank on the lawn amongst the ruins. A spectacular day that should be compulsory to everyone at least once a year.

3 days fishing with A.T who will I am sure enter his own catch report. 14 barbel over the three days to 8.25 lbs. 6 chub to 2lbs. 3 small eels. All on pellet/paste. Very quiet during the day.....watched a fine pair of sandpipers feeding in the margins. Evenings were the most productive time. Lots of cut weed coming down for the whole three days.

Four small trout. Not much activity and rather windy. Lovely stretch of water though.

I fished this beat from 2 - 7pm. Started just below the bridge and caught a 10" wbt almost immediately, on a JT tungsten bead PTN #18 under a Klinkhamer, but this was not to continue. Lots of small fry splashing at the Klink and chasing the nymph. Ended the day with 4 more small wbt to 6" and a nice grayling about 8". The water was nice and clear, a little low in places but flowing well.

Absolutely beautiful location, especially with some scattered sunshine.

Blank day. Water very low and rather a ferocious wind.

6 browns. 9 salmon parr. All returned. 3 kingsfishers and dippers. Low water and poor wind. Had a good few hours.

A very pleasent beat, but I was plagued by fry body-slamming my presentations throughout the day. May try again in the winter. Memo to WUF suggest amendment to map making the upper weir to be the end of beat as the section above weir is inaccessable.

WUF NOTE - clearance work is planned for this autumn but please see subsequent catch return from OB at Pwll-y-Faedda on 10/8/11

River is very low and clear but with a stealthy approach and sensible tackle the sport was great this evening. Fished hemp and corn, 1oz closed end feeder straight through to 12 hook. It was fish a cast and even had barbel feeding in full view. Conditions are tough, but it's satisfying to adapt to them and still catch barbel as if it were a 3 foot warm flood in September. Finished with a dozen to 8lb ish. A few small chub were also caught, and salmon moving regularly.

A beautiful beat with a gravel and rocky bottom. Water levels were low but very clear, I could see all the fish I scared off with my clumsy wading. Once I had settled down, I fished the Duo, John Tyzack tungsten bead PTN,under a Bubble Sedge, for four hours to 7.30 pm. Caught and released 6 wbt to 7" had lots of takes missed. Plenty of small fry splashing at the sedge.

A pair of Kingfishers flew noisily up and down the river on several occasions. A great evening for my first visit to the Wye and Usk Foundation waters.