Feedback & Reports

We arrived at 3.00pm to the normal Saturday afternoon events at Wyebank of swimmers, picnickers and canoeists. We expect this and so went to the bottom swim, baited up and then to the pub for some refreshment. At this point there was continual flow of canoes head to toe which even made baiting up difficult through fear of the canoeists thinking we were firing bait at them. We returned to the water at 6.00pm to find that there was still a continual flow of canoeists. As canoeists ourselves I can tell that these were mostly inexperienced paddlers. I can only presume that they had got in at the launch above Lower Lydbrook which leads me to believe that they are now running evening sessions as well as morning and afternoon. The river is there for all to use and I have no objection to this but the canoe hire companies seem to have no limit to the number of canoes they are prepared to put on the water. There is a distinct danger ( as you are aware) that the river will fall into decline if there are not limits set. How this is possible I admit I do not know.
Hypothetically, if every beat was to open its waters for one day to as many anglers as wanted to fish on both banks and there were lines coming from every direction canoeing would be extremely difficult, "would the canoeists and the hire companies complain" I think they would!
I would be interested to know what the foundations thoughts are?
Now to the fishing, by 7.30 it was just the odd canoe coming through and they were mainly non hire canoeists who know the river code and they were all fine. We caught steadily from 8.00pm and the biggest Barbel was a magnificent 10lb 7oz a new PB for Vaughan. I love this river, to fish and canoe and just hope some controls can be put in place so we can all continue to enjoy its beauty. If only the canoeing authorities would put as much effort into the preservation of this river as the Foundation.
Keep up the good work.
R

9 Barbel, 8 Chub

Another great day at Wyebank the river was running low and clear. The fish responded better to float fishing, my friend fished the feeder all day with only 3 Barbel for his efforts I took the rest all on the float. Thanks WUF.

19 Barbel, 20 Chub

River very low, but caught all day mainly on the feeder. Will be booking for next year.

32 Barbel, 19 Chub

The day was overcast and warm, river pretty clear with little floating debris such as weed and canoes.

Fished with 3 oz feeder and never cast beyond 1/3 of river width. The most successful bait, by far, was corn on a size 10 hook and 18" hook length.

Arrived at 06:00 and caught 2 fish between then and 11:30 when I switched to corn. Left around 14:00 hrs a very happy man as this was my fist attempt at river fishing and my first barbel. A PB of 7lb1 oz to beat on my next visit.

4 Barbel, 9 Chub

low water , winter floods seem.to have washed away some of the groins.

9 Barbel, 12 Chub

3 Barbel, 8 Chub

Well maintained beat with some easy parking and access. Struggled in the algae-ridden water but managed to winkle out some barbel and a chub, all 2 to 4 pounds, on pellets from the bottom pool. Probably should've moved around a bit but couldn't be bothered and left in time for the footie so didn't find out if the evening would have improved the catch rate. Tough day but will be back!

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

6 Barbel

2 Barbel

Not hopeful dreaded algae has arrived!