Feedback & Reports

11 Chub

Most fish caught on halibut pellets with pva or feeder. Water levels very low and bright sunshine.

16 Barbel

Very frustrating day! After reading recent reports of great catches here, I thought we were in for a busy one - but the fish obviously had other ideas. An early start and 12 hours of fishing with just one barbel of 6-7lbs to show for it. Not exactly a stunning performance but no walk of shame at least.
Fishing opposite the gardens, using a variety of baits, we saw no sign of fish until around 4pm, at which point began an endless string of very tentative single plucks but barely anything worth striking at. 3 slightly bolder takes resulted in 3 fish hooked and lost, of which one snapped off, the other two slipping the barbless hook.
In hindsight, it may have been wiser to arrive later and fish the evening through til dark instead of plugging away all day, especially as the constant flow of canoeists dried up by about 4pm. By 8pm, feeling a bit puzzled & deflated, we called time.
Hey ho, another lovely day on the Wye. Just not one to write home about.

1 Barbel

First time on the Wye for the 2014 season and the chosen venue was to be the beautiful stretch of Lower Canon Bridge. Having fished the section last season we knew what to expect and was not disappointed although the river level was very low we were still confident. Having given the very helpful Mr Richards a ring prior to arrival we took advantage of the excellent taxi service so stood next the the river with out the normal heavy breathing and aches and pians normally associated with making it from the car to the river! As ever fishing the Wye we adopted the routine of fishing as many swims as possible in an effort to find the fish. Starting up stream and working down we found that the fishing was not going to be easy but kept on till the rods indicated fish present. As mentioned in other reports care needs to be taken in the field down stream as hidden in the long grass are some major holes and gullies which could be the cause of serious injury to any unlucky angler. The fishing was slow but started to pick up in the afternoon by which time we found the fish back in the up stream swims. I drew first blood and landed a nice barbel of around 6lb, K.B then found a few in a swim close by and proceeded to land some very nice barbel to just under 9lb in quick succession. Always pleased to feel the power of Wye barbel we stuck it out in these up stream swims until our taxi arrived! Finishing the day with a tally of K.B on 5 barbel and a chub too my 3 barbel.

8 Barbel, 1 Chub

A superb day. Extremely hot, bright sunlight, river quite low. We fished opposite the gardens where there was good flow, on feeder and ledger. Between us we netted 15 barbel and 4 chub. Several fish snapped us off - like other reports close inspection showed the line abraded on rocks. Two barbel of 8lbs, several more of 7lbs - the rest between 5 and 6lbs. All fish in superb condition. Long walk well worthwhile. DO PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF HIDDEN CRACKS/HOLES IN THE GROUND. They are invisible because they're covered with grass as you walk through the field about 10 yards after the electric fence going to the garden end. I fell up to my thigh and was very lucky not to break my leg. A superb day. Thanks WUF.

15 Barbel, 4 Chub

We enjoyed a very successful session fishing in the faster water opposite the Weir Garden using a variety of methods with pellet baits. Only fished from 3pm - 9pm and sport was fast and furious at times with barbel between 4lbs - 8lbs.
Left it too late to book a taxi so walked to the river. However as we wanted to fish the faster water we had a further half mile walk downstream - take care if you do this as there are some very deep holes in one of the fields hidden by long grass. I think this needs attention as a serious injury could occur in a remote location.
If a shorter route could be made available across the fields that would be a very positive development.

15 Barbel, 2 Chub

3 Barbel

No fish caught; fly, medium size nimph and small streamer. Some large splashes, difficult 45mins walk down to the river, extremely helpful farmer Mr Richards for the way back!
Quite a few canoe's, not always on the other side of the river. Lovely scenery.

After yesterday we decided to remain in the same spots as we had put in plenty of feed the previous day and knew there were a few fish in the area. Today though, we saw fewer fish downstream and I saw nothing in my swim. My mate stayed put, recasting his feeder every 15-20 mins but had no bites in 8 hours. I went upstream pre-baiting likely looking spots for chub and fishing these swims on my way back down. There were some chubby looking areas but again I could not find any fish despite trying meat, pellet, cheese & corn hook baits. Settled back into my original swim and 5 mins before packing up time my rod banged a couple of times and I struck into a fish but snapped immediately on 10lb line. Upon inspection the line was frayed & must have rubbed against something sharp as I struck. Not good! So 4 days fishing - 2 Barbel caught by my mate (2 bites), 3 Chub caught by me (5 bites). Poor by any standards and the worst time I have had on he Wye.

We decided to move downstream today where the river was slower and deeper in the hope of locating fish. As we approached the area we were met with the nice view of a dorsal fin of a barbel breaking the water & proceeded to see a fair few fish throughout the day at least giving us some hope. Unfortunately we made no early breakthroughs and it wasn't until 5.30pm when my rod butt flew up. As I caught the rod and tightened up it immediately broke. Upon retrieval I had lost my feeder and hook length with the stem of the feeder left above stop. I presume the hook length got lassoed around feeder and caused the break when the barbel took. My mate was having better luck and 30mins later landed a nice specimen just under 9lb on pellet.

1 Barbel