Feedback & Reports

This was my first visit to the Wye, the barbel having all but disappeared from my local Wiltshire river. It took some getting used to the size of the river, which was coming down at a fair pace, even at normal summer level. I had nothing in the first swim I tried, though there were a few very sharp pulls from what I thought were probably small chub. A move to another swim as the light began to fade brought first an eel, then at last a decent barbel bite and a fish just over the five pound mark on halibut pellet and feeder. Despite relative lack of success I greatly enjoyed my visit, learned a lot and will surely return.

1 Barbel, 1 Other

River condition were good with decent levels good flow and a bit of colour. Overhead conditions were bright and hot in the morning and cloudy staying warm with heavy showers in the afternoon. Commenced around 8AM and had first fish (9 lb 1 oz) around 9AM, the second fish at around 10.30AM (9 lb 5 oz). Then quiet until 2.30PM when had 4 fish in 4 casts over a period of no more than 1.5 hours, none of these fish were weighed but would put smallest around 4.5lb and best somewhere in the high 7's. Then another quiet period until around 5PM when had another 2 fish first fish estimated in high 5's second fish best of the day at (9 lb 12 oz). One surprise was that despite getting 'knocks'/'taps' every cast I had no chub at all.... Comment on the fish would be that all were in great condition except for the 9lb 1 oz fish which despite giving a great fight lacked condition and didn't carry the expected weight its breadth and length would normally warrant... Packed up a around 6.45pm.

8 Barbel

Had a very pleasant days fishing in stunning surroundings, even the rain in the afternoon did not spoil the day. All fish fell to feeder and pellet.

9 Barbel, 16 Chub, 1 Other

A quiet day's fishing, not much happening at all. The Barbel put up a good fight for its 5lb 9 oz. The weather was fine, sunny spells and cloud. Fished pellet and feeder and had trouble holding bottom in the heavy flow and weed pushing through. Lovely spot though and would go back. There was a constant flow of canoes all day, but then it was a bank holiday Saturday and they were all polite and apologetic, but caused no real disruption. This spot was teeming with geese all day coming and going in formation. The beat is very accessible from the car park.

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

Gorgeous stretch, a tranquil and peaceful place except for fifteen minutes of mayhem when a very lively group of children in five or six canoes were shepherded from pool to pool by instructors. Needless to say, they held just above our swim and proceeded to shout instructions. To add to our delight, the children who were too young to canoe were brought along the bank by another instructor. They settled on the top of the bank directly behind us and engaged us in lively conversation!! Fortunately, they didn't stay long and we found it all rather hilarious.
All fish caught on pellet, with the river dropping back nicely.
A stunningly beautiful stretch of river, some lovely swims and a great place to fish (especially if you like children!)

4 Barbel, 1 Chub

River was up and had considerable pace. I had to use a 6oz pellet feeder to hold bottom for the start of the day but as the water dropped was able to comfortably fish with 3 or 4oz. River had a gorgeous caramel colour and the fish were on it throughout the day. Second visit to this stretch and there will be many more to come. Biggest barbel was 10lb 6oz and the biggest chub was 6lb 5oz a PB for me by 2oz! Fished a back up swim as the swim next to the access path was taken and I wasn't disappointed. I did however lose lots of tackle due to the deluge of weed and other detris. Saw a tree come down the river at one stage!!!

8 Barbel, 10 Chub

Arrived about mid day. Perfect conditions on the river. My 1st fish on the third cast produced a barbel of 11lb 7oz far larger than anything else I have caught fishing the Wye. Shaking trying to get it weighed and back in the river I stood on my landing net pole. A quick fix with supper glue and using 12lb line as a whipping silk, I soon had a functioning landing net and landed another two barbel in the next hour. The second of these fish put paid to the landing net handle completely. So I spent the next three hours driving trying to find a replacement handle to no avail. Martin and I spent the rest of the day both trying to fish the same swim as the water levels went down.
A great day thank you.

9 Barbel, 4 Chub

River was flowing hard from previous days deluge. Hard but enjoyable. Will visit again.

5 Barbel

Arrived at the riverbank to a horrendous thunderstorm with torrential rain lasting 2 hours. Added to extra water from the previous day, the new influx turned the river red before our eyes! This was much to the barbel's liking as we caught 20 up to 8.8 from two separate pegs between lunchtime and 6.30.
The Creel is a beautiful stretch and it was good to chat with the owner and his wife later in the day.

20 Barbel, 2 Chub

Great day on Creel with 4 barbel and 3 chub. Water was low. Will return to this strech again. Many thanks to WUF and the owner for providing such a beautiful streach of river.

4 Barbel, 3 Chub