Feedback & Reports

First visit to Thomas Wood fishery and first visit to the river for a long time. Its surroundings, scenery and wildlife had been sorely missed. Within a short time of leaving the car, buzzard, red kite, kingfisher, grey wagtail and chiffchaff had all come to say hello.
River was still coloured from the rain a few days ago. Switching from feeder / pellet to free-lined luncheon meat, together with a roving approach, helped to keep the bites coming. Busy with canoes in the afternoon but most were courteous and capable so no major disruption. Lost three good chub (one at the net) but a very enjoyable day was had.
6 chub to circa 3lb and two barbel to 5lb 4oz graced the net.

2 Barbel, 6 Chub

Steady action throughout the day. All fish came on feeder with 12/16ml pellet or boilie hookbaits

9 Barbel

3 Barbel

Approx 3lbb eel on pellet

1 Other

Fish was very slow untill later on in the day, about hour before dusk. Had one decent size chub about 3lb then a very small one. Was much better last year fishing the same methods and swims, but that's fishing.

2 Chub

The track and swim access were good, despite most people opting to park at the top and walk down. The fishing however was very tough with just 1 barbel showing all day to a feeder fished pellet. In hindsight I should've tried to float fish but it felt like too much effort compared to dozing in my chair waiting to be woken by the reel. A lovely day anyway.

1 Barbel, 3 Chub

2 Barbel, 3 Chub

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

River high and running, but slacks fishable. Caught on ledgered halibut and cheese & garlic boilies.

3 Barbel, 2 Chub

We drove down the track to the gate at the bottom. The track was in all seriousness dangerous. Water had scoured out a lot of the track. We decided to abandon as we were worried about getting back up. Also the field was waterlogged. Fortunately we all had 4WD but it was difficult to get back up with the big ruts.
You can park at the top of the hill but we’re all getting on a bit so it wasn’t an option. We will go back but in the summer.