Feedback & Reports

Our first visit to Thomas wood and won't be our last. We always knew it was going to be tough with bright sunshine and very low river levels and this proved to be the case on the day. That said, Peter the fishery manager met us and gave us a great tour of the stretch pointing out the various features all of which looked very good for another occasion.
All in all a very beautiful stretch and one we will be back to later in the year.....rain gods please!

The river was low, so glad to get a couple.

2 Barbel

Arrived mid afternoon as the last of the canoes came through, texted Peter who advised me to try the Thomas Crib, i had settled into the first crib in the woods but 2 guys set up opposite so moved. 1st cast in 2nd swim had an eel and that was it. Fished till 7.30pm, river just too low and sky to bright but can see that this section should produce well in favourable conditions. The only strange thing really is that i would have liked to trot maggot and caster but you cannot do that on Wuf until September but if i had gone on the other bank i could have fished this method in the same water. May be this needs reviewing when sections are shared.
WUF Note: The date restrictions on the use of maggots on the Wye are an EA byelaw designed to protect salmon parr, although some fisheries apply for a derogation against this rule. Salmon parr are increasing in numbers in the main stem so, with owner approval, fisheries participating in the Passport will be sticking to this byelaw.

1 Other

3 x perch.....mix of ledger & float. River good....enough flow follow dry spell.

4 Chub, 3 Other

15 Barbel

Nice stretch of water and good to be able to drive right alongside the river for a good stretch of the beat, makes a pleasant change! Quiet day in the end after a promising start and just the one nice fish of 8lb 14oz landed and one lost in the weed, not a sign of a chub during the day which was strange. In hindsight we should have been more mobile but placed confidence in our swim choice.

Lots of water to go at and whilst there are some swims you can get comfy in and set up for the day, a roving approach is probably the way to go on this beat I suspect. It's worth noting though that you could well have people fishing the bank opposite in some areas which could restrict swim choice.

Nice that the fishery manager took the time to meet us and give us info, will definitely fish again.

1 Barbel

A beautiful location. Unfortunately some of the most attractive swims along the shallow section of the beat were unfishable due to steep banks and overgrown trees and nettles etc. Otherwise really enjoyed our experience our hard work payed of with a nice selection of fish between us. The largest just under 9lbs barbel, and some large club upto 4lbs. And some squermy eels payed us a visit.

5 Barbel, 8 Chub, 2 Other

Tough fishing due to algea bloom. Tentative feeding. Still great fishing.

7 Barbel, 3 Chub

Arrived at the beat for 6.30pm , found the gate with the track, but my car is a little low and a little rear wheel drive for that, so I left it parked just inside the top gate.... For anybody in the same boat this will mean A LONG walk to the top of the beat, easily 30-40 minutes.

Although it must be cracking course water, I'm not really sure if it's a good beat using a fly for salmon, there is one attractive looking crib in the middle, but access is impossible down vertical banks so it remained un fished. The rest is pretty much as still as a canal.. I tried to find Thomas wood crib at the top, walked a long way and still not sure if I found it, managed to get the line wet for just under an hour in the end fishing in a very slow, gentle current past a little Croy.
No salmon seen.

A pleasant evening stroll none the less with Elderflowers, Owls and Deer in abundance.

2 chub again on red maggot feeder, no barbel. Wet & muddy as prev day, lovely couple of days though, look forward to seeing this stretch in Summer / Autumn.
Stayed at the Hostelrie in Goodrich again, fabulous as before, very welcoming & good food, along with the beer!!

2 Chub