Feedback & Reports

2 Barbel to 8lb for one rod, one of the other rods had 14.

A very enjoyable day out. The river was at normal levels and quite clear and the weather was generally kind to us although we did have a downpour late in the piece. This beat is excellent with lots of varied water and very good access, the major problem is that you are spoilt for choice on where to fish. We had around a dozen barbel with the best going mid 7's. All were taken on pellet or small cubes of meat. We also had the pleasure of sharing the beat with a thoroughly nice guy from Essex and I'm pleased to say that he had some success too. In 40 years of angling I can honestly say that, with very few exceptions, every angler I've ever met has been friendly and helpful and I think that says it all about angling and anglers in general!

River about 2ft above summer level, but clear.
Moved twice till I found the fish. Managed 5 barbel and 12 chub fishing mainly maggot hookbaits.

Only caught 2 jacks. Beautiful setting.

Enjoyable day exploring the Carodoc beat. Water around 2ft over summer levels and dropping through the day. Plenty of features on this water though some swims snaggy. Long day of zealous work to find the fish. Between us we had 11 barbel, 7lbs - 8.25lbs, most in pristine condition + three chub. One barbel looked like it had been gored by cormorant or heron. All mouths in good condition (praise to those who use barbless hooks/tether free rigs). All caught on 12mm pellet. No problem driving along the bank as relatively dry track.

Sunday morning's rain had arrived at Caradoc! We arrived to find the river about a foot from the top of the bank. So the choice was to go home, go to the pub or go fishing. As the pub was not yet open, we decided to go for a walk, during the course of which we spotted 3 swims which we thought fishable should we be able to resist the call of the ale.
As the pub was still not yet open, we drove to the chosen spots (very convenient for the ageing angler) and unloaded. R H had chosen the swim Mr. Crabtree would have fished - a nice slow eddy with a good crease on the outside.
J M and I settled into a double swim with a relatively smooth glide down the near bank. 20 minutes later I had a barbel - so our decision to fish started to look less mad. The river level started to recede at lunchtime and dropped nearly 3 feet during the afternoon. I finished up with 7 barbel to 8:06 and a couple lost. J M got 5 and also hooked a couple which fell off during the fight.
Our own Mr Crabtree had failed to interest a fish in his eddy and tried a couple more swims just above the bridge, also without troubling the fish.
We had a very enjoyable day and our confidence in fishing the high river has been boosted. What's more, the sun shone and the procession downriver of footballs, trees and what appeared to be the contents of several pigsties, just added to the entertainment. Lovely.

The river was up a foot or so and carrying a tinge of colour. It looked good. However, the fish weren't as enthusiastic as us and it was a slow morning. We bumped into the other anglers sharing the beat and they complained about the lack of swims. It's not a problem we have at Caradoc, there's too much choice for us! We fished hard and were eventually rewarded with a barbel each and a smattering of chub, including the same fish falling to my rod twice in an hour! A difficult day.

River very couloured and high - very few available, viable pegs. No fish caught - left after 3 hours

What a beautiful setting for this stretch. Easy access to riverside but settled for swim close to fishing hut that could accommodate the 3 of us. Our friend had flown in from Germany the night before but unfortunately the Barbel would not oblige for him. Only 1 caught, 1 lost and few chublets but enjoyable nevertheless. Many thanks to WUF for providing the opportunity to fish this magnificent river. We'll be back next year.

We arrived to find the river a good 4ft up on summer level, with lots of debris comming down and the river a lovely chocalate colour, but we had a drive along the beat and found several slacker areas of river that could hold a few fish. By the end of the day we were all glad that we persevered as we all caught barbel including three over 9lb.
Most fish were to either meat or pellet wrapped in paste.
Thanks to the Foundation for a glorious beat in Caradoc.