Feedback & Reports

This is a lovely stretch of river, best suited to one rod. You need chest waders even in the low water conditions that we experienced. Do not be mislead by the "wellington" symbol in the passport.

There was a decent flow below the confluence with Back Brook. In fact most of the flow seemed to result from the brook, as the Hindwell above the brook and adjacent to Coombe farm was not much more than a series of static, muddy puddles on the day of our visit. The lower section of the beat has pools and riffles, and above the road bridge there are some very deep holes. Some pools need attention, as they are completely clogged with dead branches that have washed downstream.

We had to suspend fishing for about two hours at midday to allow the water to clear as the river suddenly took on the colour of a coffee milkshake. This may have been due to livestock being driven across the stream or soil/manure being dumped in the river. Evidence of both activities was observed at various places upstream of the road bridge.

All said and done, 2 rods enjoyed a couple of very pleasant hours, fishing alternately and catching 4 trout and 7 grayling on various goldheads to suit flow and depth. Unfortunately nothing larger than 25cm.

A mink was sighted in the vicinity of the stables upstream of the road bridge. This animal was as bold as brass, allowing us to approach to within 2 metres before disappearing into a tangle of riverside tree roots.

5 BT, 1 x Grayling, 1 x Dace, numerous small chub.

Tricky day with bright sunshine and clearing water. Me and a friend fished in the lower field catching 5 Barbel between us and a nice chub just under 5lb.

2 rods (8 vouchers) fishing alternately - 4 trout 6" to 8". 7 x Grayling (8" to 10").

2 small trout - returned.

Spent a few pleasant hours here late morning/early afternoon. River quite low but a bit fresher after the recent rains. Lots of fluttering stoneflies, large and small. Not much rising apart from a couple of fish. Had four trout, two of 10" and two of 8" on GRHE nymph and emergers. First time back here for a while and the beat could now do with a strategic trim; it must be some years since much has been done. Some recently fallen, much more substantial timber would also be worth moving. Such improvements would not detract from the quality of the environment nor fish cover, nor the challenge that these streams offer, but would certainly give better value for money.

No fish caught.

Brown trout - 1 1/2lb

River low and clear, tried stalking barbel and failed. 3 chub to 4.07lb caught.

16 x grayling 12-17 inches, mostly 14 inch fish; 7 x trout 6-10 inches. Heaven, if we ever get there, must be something like an autumn day in the Irfon valley with the trees colouring up and a pod of grayling in the pool! As usual, the Irfon came into condition before the Wye as the floods fell away, running clear although there was a good push of water coming through. There do seem to be some very handsome grayling around this season, but, if I have any complaint, it is that this year so far they seem to be slightly less reluctant to rise than usual. That is not to say that there are no rises, and a dry Red Tag brought 7 or 8 up on this day (and on the next, when I was out with another rod). But the nymphing system seems to be needed for a lot of the time, particularly in the afternoon when the odd rises seemed to die away somewhat. Also, I'm extremely sorry for the people who were staying at the Cammarch Hotel, but were washed off by floods at the beginning of the week and hope they will get a second chance to enjoy these beats.