Feedback & Reports

This was a club visit from Pheasant Fly Fishers, Chippenham, Wiltshire, a small active club of about 15 members who fish for trout and grayling on their monthly trips. Normally visit stillwaters and reservoirs and last year included Cantref, this year Wentwood. This was first club excursion to either Rivers Wye or Usk although some members have fished these before. ( I actually had fished the Ty-Newydd beat some years previously but did not recall until I got there.) A mixed experience of wild river fishers, so help was available, resulting in all rods catching fish. Richard Shaw was top rod with 3 brown trout, 2 at about 1 1/4, 1 1/2 lbs and 3 grayling largest about 1 3/4 lbs. Caught in the gutter runs with gold bead head nymph and klinkhamer - both successfull flies.
An assortment of flies and methods worked, as you would expect, each using what gave confidence.
Some fish caught on dry flies, cream spider pattern on drop dropper to imitate lemony yellow upwings hatching. Some mayflies also hatching. One chap had 3 small browns on a single pheasant tail nymph fished downstream. Another had success with a butcher after he had been advised to try a heavy point fly and traditional wets on droppers about 2 ft apart - fished downstream and across, left to swing around. We all fished debarbed hooks and all fish were returned.
Foundations service was excellent and patient when I could not receive attachment for directions and beat map. We all enjoyed the fishing, a great experience and the view at lunch from hut was stunning. We will put Wye&Usk rivers in our calender again next year. Thank you. Next week - a beginners boat day at Hawkridge Resv.near Bridgewater.

11 Trout, 6 Grayling

Sunshine and a few showers, having fished Gromain the previous day this was quite different - a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Plenty of action early in the day at the top of the beat near the stream and some good nibbles throughout the day. Tried a variety of flies, caught on headed nymphs and dry flies fished New-Zealand style. It was a shame to have had to leave, would love to come back! Thanks to all who make these rivers accessible to day fishers. Much appreciated!

5 Trout, 1 Grayling

The river had a good flow and touch of colour. Downstream wind made life difficult. Having not fished this section (or the Wye!) before was impressed to connect for estimate 1.5lb trout on around 5th cast to hares ear. However rain and wind made life difficult and hard determined fishing and moving around found 2 grayling (12-14oz mark) to nymphs. With increasing wind eventually forced into fishing downstream and drawing back various patterns and took another trout around 1lb and briefly connected into something bigger. All fish returned. No rise to speak of although there was sporadic fly hatching. If the wind had dropped I think that things could have been different.
Thanks to the help and tactic hints from the booking office. It was great just being there.

2 Trout, 2 Grayling

3 wild brown trout and 1 salmon parr. Nice pleasant day, limited surface activity.

3 Trout

River was in good condition. We fished at bad time in bright sunlight. Modest fly life. Few fish rising. Two bites, one hooked but not landed (6" brown). Instructions, maps all accurate.

Very cold day, overcast, felt more like March. No surface activity. Caught nice 12 inch Grayling, another about 10 inch and three trout around 8-10 inches all on a beaded hares ear nymph. All caught in the fast water above the bottom planks. Fished the duo back up to the top of the beat with no success.

3 Trout, 2 Grayling

Both trout were below takeable weight, and all fish safely returned. A great streach of river,nice and quiet and well away from modern distractions, easy access to the river,was well recieved. I will certinly return to have another thrash for those larger brownies which I know lurk in those pools.

2 Trout, 1 Grayling

Beautiful sunny weather with a cool breeze, but very little fish activity. Tried all methods - a couple of grayling caught on a nymph - and half a dozen tiny browns on dries (two larger ones lost). Wonderful place to be but frustrating fishing!
Spent the night at the Griffin, Llyswen which was excellent - very friendly, good attention to detail and great food. Thanks for the recommendation.

6 Trout, 2 Grayling

Again no joy. No salmon seen or touched.
Water maybe a bit low but by no means bare bones and maybe still to early in the season. Starting to lose faith in this beat, looks like lovely water. But even when fish are being taken on nearby beats I've not had any luck here. Probably need to persevere. But every time a spend a day here I finish thinking I probably would have been better going somewhere else.

A wonderful stretch of river with easy access for wading.

2 Trout