Feedback & Reports

Low water levels, sunny/windy/showery conditions. Tried Lower Clochfaen to begin with but wasn't really in the mood for the kind of wading needed to negotiate this pretty tricky beat. However, to my delight, an otter came out of the water right under my rod - he took one look at me, realised his mistake and disappeared in a flash! I soon moved back to the upper beat, where I only managed three small (4 - 6") wbt - all on nymph. Always wanted to experience the upper Wye and was not disappointed.

3 Trout

Caught out 48hrs ago we had a swish of water and it looked good for today. Grabbed a ticket but its already down to 0.13m at Pant Mawr. I know this water well enough with these levels and a very bright day to abandon after 90 mins. Didn't see the other rod on this beat, just a fisherman on Upper Clochfaen - why do I bother to buy tickets! Will try again on a better day.

WUF note - Anglers are advised to buy tickets as it allows an angler to fish the beat legally. Please contact the Foundation by telephone immediately should you see signs of poaching activity on WUF waters.

Great weather, beautiful beat. We were initially unaware that this beat is divided into 2 separate sections separated by a (fairly long) stretch of river in between. We focused on the lower section and as others have stated this section does make for difficult wading and tricky casting - but therein lies the challenge! Approx. 10-12 trout between the 2 anglers, all but one taken on a dry fly. The largest was a 2.5lb 17-18 inch fish (although a much larger fish was lost...). Stealth and patience are key in the bright weather - the fish here are very skittish - much time was spent on knees.

10 Trout

Heavy Showers and river carrying extra water. 9 WBT to 19" also had a 16" fish. Two lovely big brown trout! Also fell in, not recommended but who cares when you have just caught two big wild brown trout.

9 Trout

Fished the lower section of the beat. My favourite of the ones on the Wye and Usk that I've fished - great scenery and a good variety of water to fish. Most of the wading above the footbridge is ok (though the river was lower this year than when I've been before). There is a parking space on the road at the top of this section of the beat. However, cold and windy day made it tricky fishing, though there were a few (small I think) fish rising. One small trout on a spider.

1 Trout

Lovely day but water low. There were a few rises in the pools but the fish weren't interested in what I was offering - nul point.

Waded the upper section of the beat, reasonable underfoot but very deep in places. River fast and clear, but neither sight nor sign of a fish all day.

One trout of 22 inches on an olive emerger. The water was very low and clear and I only spotted one other rising fish. Access to the lower beat is tricky and the wading is not for the faint hearted. The upper beat is much more civilised but would fish better after a good flood.

1 Trout

Stayed at Clochfaen BB - very helpful angler there. More of a recce than a fish. River clear and lowish - no sign of any life, fish or fly so blanked. Seems river characteristics could be changing? Lovely stretch of river.

Bright day almost Summer levels. Two hours into the season a 4lb plus brownie on an upstream goldhead nymph. Handsome fish in good nick didn't give up easily. Always a great place to fish when everywhere else has high water. Up and down here like the proverbial. Had a great fish on this beat 2 years ago in March. Someone else can catch him now. Nothing else of note. That's it for 2014 I expect!

1 Trout