Feedback & Reports

A glorious day on a favourite beat. Wading was perfect, with the gauge at Ross reading 0.37 online at 06:30, all the way down the right bank to the pipe too.
More wildlife than you can wave a stick or a 15ft rod at. No salmon unfortunately but plenty of other species bumping the flies of all patterns, shapes and sizes. Even had amorous Barbel trying to spawn with my boots; now that’s a first for me! And so many chub I’ll have to run a stick float through in the summer and get some on the ‘Pin’……

3 Trout, 5 Chub

Nice fly water. Didn't see any salmon.

The water was a foot above ideal [0.84mtr @ Ross] and the colour of tea which made wading less than ideal and the fly almost invisible. Not to worry, a fat trout found it! A spell with the spinning rod produced nothing either but that didn’t matter as I had just spent 45 minutes filming an otter that was porpoiseing around me in search of small eels, fantastic!
I did take the opportunity to test my theory regarding a #8 rate switch rod from the right bank to bottom of beat and yes it can fish through with either a short back-cast or a roll cast, accessing the run opposite the island too. Ideal for the summer month perhaps?

1 Trout

Well I just don't understand it. Not a touch, but that's fishing! River conditions were fine, wind was a bit of a pig but I ran the flies[cascades and shrimp patterns] through all the best bits and cast a FC into the hotspots too. Not to worry, the seasons just begun...
One point to note; the pool on left bank, outside the island, is a little deeper than last season, the collapsed right bank has pushed the main flow a little more towards mid-river which means that, for those who don't like deep wading, this pool can be fished quite well from the right bank now. Even a switch rod can access the best of the run with ease...

1 Trout

River Rising - Lots of flotsam and debris coming down - No Fish, No Bites

Unfortunately I developed a migraine and had to retire hurt. Nil return.

I would like to lay the blame for not catching on a tricky upstream wind but the total bag for the day belies this. Once again it would appear that every species bar Salmon was intent on taking any fly that was offered; the Chub being especially enthusiastic!
One major positive was the knowledge gained from wadding this beat with the levels at sub 0.35 at Ross; both left and right banks of Foy Bridge section are accessible and I look forward to an evening with the single hander later in the season.

3 Trout, 1 Barbel, 7 Chub

Lovely morning's fishing. Chub much more interested in my flies than any salmon which may have been present.

Nasty upstream wind but river was perfect. Not a sniff on lures, (FC or Mepps) and so even with the wind the new fly rod had to be cast; 15ft beast did punch the 37g shooting head into the gale, when I got the hang of it, and took 3 trout to 2lb+ and a 4lb(ish) chub on a Tony Frew pattern; Hellefossen Special. All in the fast water below bridge on left bank. Did have one huge pull lower down from right bank but could have been anything.
Note: Swans are now nesting on Island, not too aggressive yet but could get feisty later!

3 Trout, 1 Chub