Feedback & Reports

A few rising fish but strong cold wind prevented any significant hatches of March Brown and LDOs. Missed fish feeding on black gnats under the willows. Lovely stretch of river. Just a few coppiced down areas would enable much easier access especially during times of high water levels.

Lovely day, and what looked like near perfect conditions. I tackled up with high hopes, and then used nymphs (mostly downstream and across) for six hours, with only one small trout caught. As I drove away I found that the other person on the beat had filled his boots with large trout, using a nymph fished upstream. I wish I could have watched him - I would have learned a lot!

1 Trout

No rises, no fish.

4 Trout

Nice afternoon/evening fishing. Two small wild brown trout on nymphs.

Several trees are down across the river in places following the recent storms. There was also a distinct smell of sewage over the faster water, which is concerning. I’m not convinced the river is in great health—and, if I’m honest, I haven’t felt great since fishing. Is this becoming the new normal? Feels like we’re at the point of needing a risk assessment just to avoid waterborne illness. Sad times.

On a brighter note, there’s a nesting dipper near the tunnel, which was lovely to see.

2 Trout

Cath 10 trout,6 take home 4 return safety,catch with spinning ,gold color spinner.

10 Trout

First time to this beat. The top 200 yards are delightful. Streamy with seams and a deeper channel on the far side, good access and open casting. However, this is really the only fishable section, the rest being high banks above the outside of a long bend. Which makes an already short beat even shorter. The wind of yesterday had largely dropped which was a relief and it was dry with cloud and sun. Even when a mixed hatch started at 12.30 it was not heavy and was quickly over. Mainly small sedges, with a few small olives a couple of yellow mays and some midges. I tried everything: tiny dries, olives, emergers, nymphs, spiders and even streamers. Nothing. No rises, no takes, nothing. Hey ho. A lovely few hours on the Usk though.

Great beat with lots of variety of water. Word of warning though - there are lots of very slippery large boulders and fairly powerful flows at points. I had a dip and imagine that I am not the first and won’t be the last. Be careful especially if the river is up a little.

P.s all fish are except for 1 were caught with heavy nymphs in the fast water. The other was on a deer hair emerger - off the surface but also in the fast water rather than the glides. Very little rising all day.

8 Trout

2 Trout

Weather against us with strong gusty winds