Feedback & Reports

Fishing was hard going, five dace and at the end of the day one decent chub of 4lbs. No barbel but this was prob due to river conditions.

We arrived early and found a poacher on the beat. Not a good start. After walking the beat in the half light we decided on a start in the Vanstone pool and the tail but whilst tackling up the WUFs deputy director, Simon Evans, arrived with a companion to attempt to catch a salmon. They wanted the Vanstone pool so we headed off downstream but only fished half heartedly, just getting a feel for the beat, exploring the swims and likely spots for a bite. By eleven we had the beat to ourselves and, after a coffee, headed up to the Vanstone. In the daylight it looked hammered, not really what we are used to on WUF beats. Then the shooting started. Shot rained down on us as the guns blazed in the woods opposite and it wasn't long before a change of swim was in order! We couldn't settle and flitted around until mid afternoon. The shooting had stopped but a chainsaw now stepped in to protect us from peace and quiet. I was beginning to feel a bit shell shocked. Late afternoon and still fishless. The only noise now was a pair of Ravens wheeling overhead and at last we began to relax and settle into our fishing. Fishing hard until dark, my companion blanked and I managed six chub and two barbel, one of which was a very nice fish. Plain old meat doing the damage.

River dropping off after weekend prior. Picked swim which appeared productive for barbel. Alternated between feeder for barbel and float for dace etc. But after several hours only dace caught. Mid afternoon the Baliff (Adam) stopped by for a chat. Changed swim on his advice and subsequently, thanks to this, caught 3 barbel (8 3/4, 9, and 5 lb) on pellet and straight lead before poor light stopped play. Once again thanks for your advice. P.S. saw 3 salmon moving during course of the day.

This return covers 3 days fishing between 6-8 Oct 2010 by 2 anglers. 18 barbel caught to 10.02 plus 4 chub. River was high limiting swims available and flow meant that only near bank fishing was possible.

Following on from Backney the previous day, we found Middle Hill Court even harder going. Total fish caught was 8 Barbel to 9 1/2 lbs, 6 Chub up to 3 lbs. Pellets very unproductive, with corn doing better producing the most bites, and paste capturing the largest fish. River in need of some rain.

With having caught a large number of barbel over the previous four days, but with only one over 8lb, i was looking forward to trying to tempt one of the larger barbel that inhabit this fishery. Two anglers arrived just before me, and with a very limited number of fishable swims in the current high water conditions i was concerned they would plump for the swim i was after. However, they chose to fish the main Vatone Pool, so i fished the run off below, which was my first choice in these conditions. Even here the pace was very fast and the only option was to fish close in where there was a steady pace and a good crease. However, as on Saturday, the river was rising fast after yesterdays rain, and i was not sure that the fish would feed. I needn't have worried as i had a barbel of 8lb 11oz first cast and continued to catch steadily until they switched off late afternoon, at which point the amount of suspended debris was again making the fishing almost impossible. However, by this time i was very happy with a catch of 13 barbel, including a cracking fish of exactly 10lb. This was a great finish to a fantastic few days fishing in mainly ideal conditions, and my thanks go to the Wye and Usk Foundation for offering such wonderful fisheries in stunning surroundings.

4 x Barbel 5-7lb on halibut pellets

Catch return - Nil. Unfortunatly the river was very high & coloured unsuitable for the fly.
Stayed at the Inn on the Wye at Kerne bridge it was very good, also they allow dogs.

Lovely place to fish if a bit expensive with regard to lost tackle. One rod had to redo the lot at least 5 times and I managed to avoid losing too much replace one hook because it opened on a rock, barbel lost on the bankside rock and two other hooklengths lost.
Very nice to be able to sit in the car out of the rain.
One rod caught 4 barbel and lost one the other had 2 barbel and lost one.
Very hard fighting fish, excellent fun to catch.
Did not fish the Vanstone pool because I thought it had a nasty snag in it then found out the snag is on another beat, doh!

Eleven Barbel caught to 9lb 12oz and two small chub and a very greedy roach with a big mouth! All caught on halibut pellets from the Vanstone area. Red hot day for September but river looking perfect. Didnt see another sole apart from some, generally well behaved, canoeists. Fished from 10ish until 6 when too hungry and tired to carry on and one of our party who blanked was fed up. Stayed at Forest View in Symonds Yat East, very helpful and convenient if a little expensive for a room with no proper shower, although the view from the bedroom window would take some beating anywhere in the world. Directions were ok but didnt see the gate with the combination lock which confused us a little. All in all great service all round and my best days fishing ever so cant say fairer than that! Back asap.