Feedback & Reports

The river was going down at 10-11" and, thankfully, still weather, or light winds at worst, prevailed. It was sunny all day as well but, with little wind, and sedges, midge and a few small olives/PWs for company off and on all day, the fish duly obliged in spite of high light levels. On arrival at 8 a.m. the fish were rising below and upstream of The New House itself and, as we savoured the scene, and hoped for a good day, an otter made its way up the river disturbing the fourteen goosanders that were cruising downstream. A good omen? As a salmon rolled just upstream of the Clettwr confluence, we started catching trout and grayling, some risers, some not. Rises continued intermittently until 5 p. m. when activity ceased and we drew stumps (long after those at the Trent Bridge recovery of the Ashes earlier in the day!). About 25% of the grayling caught were of 12 - 13" with the majority 8-10", and the best trout a couple of fish of 14". Still lots of liced trout and grayling. Fish were taken on hare's ear emergers, Grayling Steel Blue, Grizzle Elk Hair Caddis, and and a CDC and Elk caddis - the EH Caddis rose lots of non-rising fish during the afternoon, with several also missed or long-distance released! It was a lovely day in a lovely place with lots of kingfishers for company, with heron, tree-creeper, buzzard and kite adding to the fauna. Oh, and we also had the rather unusual appearance at Ty Newydd of the exceedingly rare "large bare-a**sed, beachmaster" on the far side, seen intermittently rolling in the river or sunning itself on the bank. Not a shy species at all, it seemed. Mankinis are just soooo naff, eh!! In spite of this rare sighting, Glyn fished on, undaunted, catching more of the undoubtedly, much more attractive "Ladies" of the Stream! A "cracking" day all round!

12 Trout, 44 Grayling

Great day being tutored by the Welsh International Rivers lads - great info and great value - thanks to John & Alun for organising this. Very highly recommended for anyone who (like me) has struggled to read the river.
Took a lovely pound-ish brownie after the workshop in fast water - within a metre of where I was standing (hardish wading) and in water I'd already been covering for 10minutes+. Really hammered home the tips from the day!

1 Trout

The weather was very bad, grayling are starting to move, the nymphs were working very well, Pheasant Tail Nymph and Golden Head Ear Hare. The river Wye is quite healthy in terms of salmon, quite a few parr. Some of them quite big 15-17 cm. Everything catch and return of course. The right bank was more easy to have access and to wade.

3 Trout, 5 Grayling, 15 Other

Seemingly perfect conditions but despite a substantial fly hatch things were a bit slow particularly in the afternoon. Having said that smaller fish were moving continually through the day.
Caught on damsel emerger, olive, or brown buzzer type fly.

7 Trout

First day out this year. After an hour using a size 12 shrimp pattern had a gentle pull at the bottom of the Bathing Pool and then a good take and fight from an approx 10lb salmon (returned of course. It was reasonably fresh. The river was a nice height for the fly but there was a cold wind and there was no further action for me that day.

A happy day both fishing and listening to the Test Match.

1 Salmon

Difficult day with low air temperatures and high winds with constant squalls blowing downstream. Once again nothing rising of any note and mix of dry fly and gold head nymph secured the few fish. Lovely water and a favourite of our group but it was just colouring up after two days of rain so not in best shape.

4 Trout

Learning to fish day for my son, so not trying too hard.
Conditions were cloudy and wet, river was running clear but disappointingly very little fish movement throughout the afternoon.

1 Trout

5 Trout, 1 Grayling

For the first time for some years, I decided to fish TN, as the level was back down to 12" after the recent short rise, and a fine settled day was forecast. So much for weather forecasts! Fish rising at an early arrival, shirt sleeves until 10.15, then the sky darkened, the mist descended, the temperature dropped to 16 degrees for a while, the jacket was put on, rain beckoned but never arrived and a cold upstream wind blew off and on until until about 4.30 pm. Not what was planned! Some Yellow Mays and small olives / PWs in the morning but with few fish rising, and then midge and sedges off and on from mid-afternoon, also with few fish rising. Variously tried nymphs, duo and a single emerger throughout the day. In spite of the conditions, I still managed to find a dozen trout but none bigger than 10" and fifteen grayling, most of which were 9-10" but four of 12", and a lot of salmon parr. Some fish taken on PTN variants but most on size 14-20 HE emergers, and mostly non-rising fish - they were looking up! From 5.30 p.m. the river was like a mill pond but nothing moved. Decided to head off at 7p.m. to discover that the Aussies had scored over 300 runs for the loss of just one wicket...not good! All in all a very strange day!

12 Trout, 15 Grayling

The river had risen slightly over night and seemed quite coloured, overcast all day with intermitant rain. Caught the most beautiful brown trout about 10" around 10am and missed/lost several others all on a black gold head nymph, the only thing that saw any interest all day. I also landed what I would believe to be a Salmon parr around 6" to the same fly on the next cast! Had a couple of more pulls in the afternoon around 3pm but had to leave by 4:30 so missed what looked like it could have developed into a relatively decent evening session as flies were begining to emerge along with a few trout.
Most amazing stretch of the fantastic river, first time I've made it out with a rod in a couple of years, what a fantastic start. Thanks to all at the Wye & Usk foundation.

1 Trout, 1 Other