Feedback & Reports

This was an impromptu birthday outing to test out my new tackle on the Wye's big barbel, but on this occasion non showed, not even a sniff of one. Nevertheless, when you catch 10nr chub ranging from 3lbs to 4.5lbs, with the smallest just a nudge below the 3lb mark, with a +30lbs net of fish, then who can complain. At this time of the year, after periods of cold / frosty nightly weather, whilst the barbel will invariably go AWOL, the chub won't generally let you down.

River level reading of 520mm high at Ross-on-Wye; weather - cloudy all day, but no rain, temperature - 8C, breezy from the north-east.
Fished 2oz Drennan maggot feeder (open-ended), filled red maggots and plugged with pelleted groundbait. Five red maggots on a size 14's hook.

Winter's days like these, catching fish like these in such beautiful, peaceful surroundings, are memorable.

Here's to next year's season.

1 Grayling, 10 Chub

With a falling river, mild weather and an overcast day I hoped for a couple of barbel. However, despite my best endeavours, they refused to play and I had to make do with two half-decent chub.

2 Chub

Did not fish. River just shy of 3m above normal. I’m not a good flood fisherman if I’m honest.

Rising river after recent rain. Most fish falling to usual pellet/feeder tactics

1 Grayling, 3 Barbel, 4 Chub

1 Grayling, 4 Barbel

River very cold with lots of deris coming down. 3 nice chub and a nice eel.

1 Trout, 3 Chub, 1 Other

River was low and clear so we were not expecting any bumper catches. We were pleased with the returns given the conditions.

6 Barbel, 4 Chub, 1 Other

X3 anglers

4 Chub

Scraping ice from the car windscreen on a clear sky freezing morning did not fill us with much confidence before heading off to the Creel.We arrived to a glorious early winters day but a very cold river...But much to our surprise we found the obliging Chub feeding and bagged 13 good fish with all the action in the afternoon.Another highlight was noticing a lesser spotted woodpecker resident on the beat which was somewhat unexpected and capped a great day.
Thanks WUF..

13 Chub

Another stunning day on the great river. No barbel or chub despite our best efforts. But an angry pike of about 10-12 pounds nailed my dead bait about mid afternoon to save the blank and duly impress my junior partner in crime. A great looking beat with a lovely variety of water - we will return next summer to attempt to winkle out some whiskered ones.

1 Pike