Feedback & Reports

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.

2 Barbel to 6lbs, water had a slight tinge, weather warm and very wet. Swims very slippery, easy going down, not so easy coming up the bank.

1st rod caught an 8lb barbel and 9 x 1.75lb chub. 2nd rod caught 1 x 3lb chub. 3rd rod - blank. Lovely stretch.

First time on this beat. The four musketeers started out with two fishing the 'Corner Tree' area and two fishing just below the 'Vanstone Pool'. Early results from the 'Corner Tree' were poor returning one Chub. On the other hand the angler fishing lowest at this point 'Ton up Tony' had been smashed up four times by lunchtime. (these bites proved to be his only bites on the day). Just above him 'Two Ton Trev' was having no joy either and both anglers were shedding rigs on the snaggy bottom 'BE AWARE!' 'Jilted John' and 'Bailiff Russ' in the corner swim decided to move downstream in search of the barbel. J settled in to a nice comfortable swim just below Tony and R found his way down a steep section of bank lower down the river. By late afternoon, the heavens opened and R started to return fish to the folds of his net, all on pellet based baits. But like I said, the heavens opened and by the time we started packing up at about 19:00 hrs, the bank that R had found his way down was anything but passable, leaving no way up! Eventually with a long length of rope and two human extensions, R was retrieved. All in all a great days fishing, only returning 6 chub and two barbel (biggest falling, last cast to Trev @ 9lb 4oz) but fantastic fishing nevertheless. All fish caught on fishmeal pellet.
Just be careful when selecting swims in times of inclement weather!

Fish were not really on the feed but managed 8 barbel and 4 chub between us over the 2 days(3 rods in total). Non english speaking poacher found holed out in one of the more overgrown swims. Banks somewhat treacherous with the rain -careful.