Feedback & Reports

Blustery day with a rising river - half a dozen grayling from graylet to a 2lb + fish lost on the surface after a good struggle. Although there were a couple of rises, all fish came to an 'orange tag' gold head nymph. Stunning sunset topped off a stunning day - not a soul seen.

A super day out but, sadly, no fish! Probably more a reflection of our lack of grayling fishing expertise rather than lack of fish. That said, it was very windy and the river was somewhat cloudy and rose in level quite rapidly whilst we were there; presumably due to rain storms up the valley somewhere! We gave it all we had; czech nymphs, beaded pheasant tails and even dry red tags, all to no avail. Definitely a beat to come back to. The extensive barbed wire fencing was a bit of trial at times particularly as stiles were few and far between and some broken. Nonetheless, a wonderful tranquil setting with some super runs - those grayling are in there somewhere and we will be back!!

16 chub up to 4lb on meat and pellets from beats 3, 4 and 5.

6 x grayling 8-18 inches, fishing nymphs under the rod top. Not an easy day, with a cold wind developing as time went on, but a couple of very nice fish at 16 and 18 inches were included in the bag. I packed up early due to the sudden development of the dreaded wader leak and ingress of icy water....very demoralising.

Reflections at the end of the first part of this grayling season on our rivers - and by first part I mean the time when we can expect the fish to be taking at the surface - September, October and normally a bit of November with luck:

The Irfon is always a good grayling river, but this year it was an absolute star. The fish were in wonderful condition, free-rising and plentiful. Maybe we will look back on 2011 as a vintage year, or maybe it will go on getting better and better? I only request, should you find the pools where the big grayling live and have a spectacular day...don't try and repeat it too many times in the same spot! They are a finite resource.

The upper Wye fished well too, when it was in condition. Apart from the WUF beats, a friend and I had an excellent day on the Builth Town water before the present floods - with larger fish than in previous years.

The Arrow and Lugg suffered terribly from drought this summer, and only just now seem to have come into condition with the latest flush of water bringing fish onto the take.

The Monnow also suffered from drought and, to my knowledge at least, doesn't seem to have produced many good grayling catches.

It has been, so far, a remarkably warm autumn. Anglers have been taking grayling on the dry fly right until last week, practically into December, although I doubt this can go on very much longer. Still, if you see those large dark olives and a sipping rise at the surface one afternoon, it's always worth a try with a dry fly, even in mid-winter.

Whether it is due to the warmth or lack of frost I am not sure, but trout in good condition and obviously feeding steadily have featured in catches more than usual. Do we conclude this will be a bad spawning year for brown trout or will it all happen later in the winter?

Water a little higher than I've fished before and very slightly coloured ("tea without milk"). Managed 9 grayling (including a beautiful 18" fish and four baby "Graylets") & 3 small WBT. Fished the top end of the beat with up stream nymph and bugging - new water to me but just as appealing as the lower end. Thanks WUF for getting me absolutely hooked on winter grayling sport!

Had a great stay at the Bell Inn. Caught no fish but enjoyed the beautiful afternoon.

River clear but a little too high so that possible swims limited. Two small grayling and one out of season WBT, fly and maggot at the top end of the beat.

The river had dropped over night but was not ideal. Slightly coloured and a bit on the high side.

JC fished the top section and managed just over half a dozen grayling and a 2.15 lb brownie. All taken on trotted maggot. Fished the czech nymph without success due to the now rising river conditions.
Yes, it was raining again and even a short hail shower occurred.
RJ, PD, WH all fished the lower end of the beat all taking grayling to 1.13lb. RJ had in excess of 20 grayling and enjoyed a cracking duel resulting in a 4.05lb chub. PD had a steady day landing a dozen fish to about a pound. WH had a good dozen or so grayling and lost an absolute whacker after it had jumped clear of the water, slipping the hook in the process and causing a birds nest to add insult to injury.
A great day on a lovely beat. Stayed at the Bronwye guest house in Builth wells which yet again was superb. Thanks to all at the Wye and Usk for hassle free booking and great angling.

First time on the Lugg and quite a hard day. Lots of micro Grayling and four substantial fish - 0.5lb, 2x 1.75lb and one beauty at 2lb06oz. The Grayling appeared to be quite localised and a lot of time was spent searching the water without reward. The four larger Grayling were all caught in a 100m stretch! A lovely river and one I hope to fish again soon.

The first time we've blanked on the Wye! Not even a bite!