Feedback & Reports

Not many swims further up beat, caught fish on meat and pellets. Will probably try different beat next time as struggled a bit, though conditions were not idea (bright and clear)

2 Barbel, 5 Chub

A secluded and tranquil stretch of the river Wye, this beat offers a good range of swims. On the day of our visit there was some additional colour from recent rains and the river was at near normal level. The fishing proved difficult with just four barbel from this usually productive stretch, all falling to pellet presented in various ways. There were chub to be caught on meat on the straight lead and we could have had more if we had focused on this species and we finished with eight between the two rods. A lot of weed drifting downstream made presentation difficult throughout the day. All fish were caught from swims in the first field.

4 Barbel, 8 Chub

Glorious weather more akin to summer than September and such scenic surroundings. The river was tinged with a bit of colour after recent rain and the Barbel came in early afternoon. Surprisingly the overcast evening brought only Chub. Best Barbel was 7lb 9ozs and was caught down the inside in the streamer weed. Pellet on a link ledger was the successful tactic. Don't be put off by the weed or the steep banks. It's like much of the Wye, if a little more overgrown due being off the beaten track. Only one canoe seen all day.

2 Barbel, 7 Chub

After reading a couple of negative reports on this beat we were apprehensive. However, we had the most amazing Autumn day with plenty of fishable water! All fish came to feeder and trotted maggot. It's worth varying the bait, as we caught on luncheon meat, popped up pellets and varying pellet types fished on the deck. Long hook lengths of 3ft plus also worth a go. Word of warning - at the time of fishing there was an immense Hornets nest in a willow tree adjacent to the lower most style on the beat. We got well and truly mobbed when our head torches activated the swarm on the way back from fishing the croy. Advise that you tackle the style with dimmed/switched off head torches......

7 Barbel, 3 Chub, 3 Other

Photos on the description of this beat suggest easy access, however with some very steep wet banks to contend with there weren't that many swims to choose from. With the river low we tried spots at the top and bottom of the beat but to no avail. Swims that looked like possible holding spots for barbel produced no results, with virtually no interest shown throughout the day. Beautiful stretch of the Wye but disappointing on the fishing front.

Pretty much agree word for word with N.M from Bristol who fished the beat on Wednesday

1 Barbel, 3 Chub

This was not the first time I have fished this beat, but possibly the most frustrating in terms of actual fishing. I should say though that the reason I like these beats is not simply for the fishing. As a nature lover it really is great to feel like you have a mile of the Wye valley to yourself! And September is fantastic. Barely a canoe, and so much wildlife activity from swallows and house martins feeding off the surface, kingfishers fishing opposite me, Canada geese gathering the troops to fly north and so much more. But the fishing... The river was so full of weed which made things very difficult and was a test of patience, and skill. This was the second of two days fishing and I adjusted my techniques to the conditions and managed to bring in 5 nice size chub, all between 3-4 lbs. No barbel this time around though, whereas previous times have been very fruitful.
A word on the beat itself. Despite reading beforehand that more swims had been created, it was hard to see much evidence of this. Those 'swims' were quite treacherous and hardly accessible. I understand the WUF principles and support them, but when you have virtually only one safe spot to fish from in 1/2 mile stretch then something isn't quite right. And of course this means that the one good 'peg' at the bottom of the beat gets fished by everyone I would imagine. I tried to get to other swims but was aware of my safety and being alone it wasn't worth taking risks. I'd like to re-visit closer to winter for some chubbing and hopefully the weed will be long gone and the banks clearer of vegetation. It's a beautiful location, and I know there are good fish in there, but I agree with others that say more work needs to be done to make more swims safer and more accessible, there is a lot of money coming from us anglers after all.

5 Chub

Steep banks please go prepared to help you get the best from this section.

2 Barbel, 3 Chub

The river was in good condition but with a lot of cut weed coming down the river making fishing difficult.

2 Chub

A very poor day..fished from 10am til 8pm in 3 different swims not one single bite registered! Did not see any barbel activity all day. The only positive was the stunning scenery.