Feedback & Reports

Our first visit to MHC and were impressed by its potential.

Kev had a kelt of about 7 to 8lbs on the fly at the junction of Vanstone and Vanstone Pool. An important fish for him since it is the first salmon he has landed on the fly. He also caught a chrome bright silver trout about 2lbs (Tail of Maddox) which I can only assume must have been a sewin. I faired less well with just a 7lbs pike for my efforts.

A notable feature was the prolific Grannom hatch which was ongoing all day. By lunchtime the ducks were satiated and chub were everywhere. (The big ones live in the neck of The Rope.) There were so many Grannom that the canoeists had to paddle with their mouths shut which made for a peaceful day. I almost felt sorry for them !

2 missed takes in the Maddox to a yellow and black 2" tube on a sunk line. Salmon showing in the Vanstone Pool. Probably a little too high at 1 foot 2" on the Fownhope gauge, but the top end of the beat fished beautifully.

Recent rain meant the levels were high and coloured so expectations were low. Unfortunately they were also met! No catch and one fish seen all day. The bottom end of the beat was difficult fishing as water levels prevented wading.

Sharp overnight frost made for a very hard day, only 1 rod caught a Barbel and a Grayling, apart from that all that took our maggot hook baits were Minnows. The Barbel here on this beat do tend to be a good average size, 8lb 5oz today. My thanks to Alyson and all in the Wye Usk office for their help.

Cold day with overnight frost, made this a hard day, between 4 rods we managed 3 Barbel to 4lb 8 oz, and 3 chub to 4lb 10oz. All fish falling to maggot hookbaits.

Lovely bright day with the river fining down nicely.
No Salmon showing though and so consequently drew a blank.

An enjoyable start to the season. Water still high but sight of a springer that showed in corner tree gave us confidence. Kelts splashing in most pools and working a floating devon through the Rope produced three very well mended examples. Barbless hooks meant they all went back without leaving the water. 1 was sizable and led to thoughts of it being an opening day fish for a few minutes before it caved in.

On Wednesday we had Chub (3) & John lost a Barbel on 3lbs bottom & 16 hook.

I blanked but my brother managed a 3.5 lb chub and a bonus 6lb salmon (kelt). Both were taken on double maggot. The chub fell to feeder tactics but the salmon took trotted maggot and gave a good account of itself on a 18 hook and 3lb hook length.