Feedback & Reports

2 x trout 11 and 14 inches, Dark Moorgame and Waterhen Bloa. Water running a rich red colour, less than 12 inches visibility this morning although it was beginning to clear later. No hatches or rises seen up to 2 o'clock.

2 Trout

Blistering sunshine on the river all day, no sign of a hatch and no fish seen, hottest April since '49 ? Neither of the 2 rods were around then but I believe them ! Several hours in these conditions made for thirsty work, suitably refreshed at the Red Lion Llangynidr. Nil return

No rise

2 Trout

Nil catch. River high.

Great to be back on the Usk, tough day with the river rising from 11am to unfishable by 2pm
3 trout hooked and landed by Frank Jones at the top of the beat, NZ style I think, I had one fish hooked at lost in pocket water on upstream nymph and one fish missed in March brown hatch on dry fly around 11.30

3 Trout

4 Trout

Early mist lifted as I arrived but the day stayed grey and cold throughout with a moderate downstream breeze. The beat description needs updating as there are some new steps from the canal path down to the river's edge opposite the mill - which I presume are the excellent work of the WUF - so there's no need to scramble up the bank any more.
I tried dries, nymphs and even an old streamer that hasn't seen the light of day for years but with no joy all morning. At about 1pm there were suddenly a couple of splashy rises above the mill rapids and I noticed a few upwings on the water. I think I saw a couple of March Browns but most were smaller, paler insects. The hatch went on for about 90mins without getting particularly heavy and fish rose throughout. I went through as many dry patterns as I could but obviously didn't get it right as nearly every new fly resulted in the same pattern - a rise on the first and/or second cast then nothing for 5-10mins until I changed to the next.
Managed 5 good looking trout over the period of the hatch with another 5 or so rises I couldn't connect with properly. After changing to a parachute Adams, something sipped it delicately then went off like a rocket, taking me onto my backing then heading into some submerged branches and promptly breaking me off.
A great day out.

5 Trout

1 Trout

1 WBT < 1lb on a heavy dark size 10 nymph from deep run downstream from the bridge at 1400. Hands stopped working after 2hrs on the water because it was a chilly day!

1 Trout

6 Trout