Feedback & Reports

Day 2 of our COVID lockdown great escape….to Eyton, another River Lugg beat we only usually visit for evening entertainment, but anticipation was high given the fun we had at Dayhouse on Friday and that Mayfly would be hatching.
There were not as many as at Dayhouse…and not much else by way of ephemeroptera hatching, although there were brook dun spinners dancing come evening. There were also a smattering of the very large dark sedges that we only see at Eyton, and an extra large one with two rotors clattered past – low enough to feel the downwash!

None the less the fish were looking up and at least some would take an artificial mayfly – as long as it was animated. Trout were much more to the fore, with 2 at 14”, 2 at 16” and an 18” clonker and with an interesting variety of colouration. Great fishing although a cool breeze sprang up and quietened things down early evening. All fish were oncers taken on our parachute dries – Mayfly, Ginger Quill and Adams - but watch out for the mud, it is particularly glutinous and trapped us both at least up to our knees.

Good to say hello to the owner too, who came down to make sure that we were happy and not pestered by picnickers. He felt the need to apologise that the beat was overgrown – the response was it’s a wild river and the fish seem to like it. Watch out for the minnows on this beat – the river is teaming with them, and they are confident enough to gang up and mug a mayfly if it strays in to their patch, but they soon scarper if a 16” trout is released in their vicinity.

11 Trout, 3 Grayling

5 Trout, 2 Grayling

Lovely river, clearly well managed. I'm first time passport user and inexperienced river angler so had a couple of bumps but nothing caught and very little seen despite pretty steady hatches including sporadic mayfly-type insects. Access not easy in upper part of beat but it's nice to have that jungle feel for at least part of what is a long stretch of water. Lack of rain recently so river clear and probably below average water depth yet all but a coupe of pools were wadeable.

First time out since Lockdown and what a gorgeous spring day to be on the river, so good to be back fishing again. Two of us fished, a pain having to travel in two cars due to social distancing but there is ample parking. After a walk across the fields the river looked perfect, plenty of fly life, the odd Mayfly and lots of Caddis among the usual olives. Both of us were a bit rusty after the lay off but we both managed a fish each on drys with plenty of action from lightening fast small trout which were either missed or came off, never mind, a great day on the river on a lovely bit of water. Just be careful of the barbed wire.

2 Trout

Very bright and sunny. Tough fishing but managed a few

4 Trout

Very nice day on the river after so long off it. Couple of fat brownies and an out of season Grayling. Bridge section and downstream riffle again being my saving grace.
Hot hot day (look like a cherry tomato) feel as if the fish were sleeping it off down low. Also quite some tally from the gent yesterday!
All poor excuses I know.

Thanks again to WUF!

2 Trout, 1 Grayling

We caught nothing. The rain had fallen for the previous day and the river was up round our ears. We walked th4e water, had a few desultory casts and then went off in search of a still water for the rest of the day.

Took a friend out in search of his first ever Grayling and we weren't half rewarded! He caught an absolute specimen at 2lb or more. It's amazing fish of that size are lurking in there really. Lugg and Arrow fantastic Grayling rivers, no doubt about it. 4 fish total.
Also, I happened to hear that formidable sound once again, the squeak of an otter. Fish had seen a scrap or two also. Seems we aren't the only ones who know the fishing is good.....

4 Grayling