Feedback & Reports

The river was up, fast and coloured with a fair amount of debris coming through including some large branches and logs which took me out several times during the day. Levels slowly rose a further 15cm and the pace and colour increased in the afternoon. Fishing close in to find slacker water was the only option and, fortunately, the fish agreed with bites coming in batches of 2 or 3 at regular intervals. Pellets were the only bait tried with a 4oz feeder still struggling to hold bottom. As usual all the fish were immaculate and fit. The largest chub just topped 5lb and the largest barbel was 9-04.
Absolutely brilliant day - even the relatively small number of canoeists were courteous and careful. An otter popped up by my rod tip and gave me an evil stare but the usual wildlife, including a frequently passing kingfisher largely ignored me.
Thanks WUF. See you again soon.

4 Barbel, 11 Chub

The second day of our party's early season foray onto the Wye saw us looking at both Wyebank and Courtfield, having fished Backney with mixed success the previous day. The river was about 3 feet above summer levels and still coloured from heavy rain earlier in the week. A cursory check of the bottom pool saw us plumb for the slower swims of Courtfield. The river was pushing through but it looked perfect and so it proved. NC and RM squeezed into the drain cover as the rain arrived whereas JC opted for the fallen tree in the wooded section. Both swims were prolific throughout the day, with sport only slowed by the sun which made a welcome appearance in the afternoon but we caught throughout. JC had a superb fish of 10lb 6oz but he was similarly impressed by an eel of 1lb 10oz. The average size of fish on this beat is impressive, most fish were in the 8lb to 9lb bracket. Great to be back on this wonderful river once again.

18 Barbel, 15 Chub, 1 Other

Fish caught on pellet and meat. River dropping but running quite fast and coloured. Lots of tackle lost on snags.

3 Barbel, 3 Chub

Only 4 out of the 6 rods could meet for this trip. We approached the river at 5 am not exactly full of confidence, it was on the rise but a good colour. I found a swim and two of us settled to pit our wits against whiskers. At 0930 we were tearing our hair out ready to go home we had lost that much tackle due to snags. We popped down to have a chat with a mate who had lifted 3 barbel out. So we changed swim and persevered it paid off and I lifted 2 and lost 1 barbel. We moved up near the pump house late in the day and hit a good spot and we landed 9 more barbel before we called it a day when the thunder storm arrived. I think if I fished this again I wouldn't hesitate to move if I wasn't getting any joy within an hour. It's a cracking beat but needs to be worked to pay dividends.

14 Barbel, 1 Chub

The sharp showers of the previous few days meant that I arrived to find the the river well above normal summer levels and chocolate brown in colour. I was not able to fish my favoured far bank run due to the flow and settled for a more comfortable mid river. Fortunately the fish still managed to find my bait and I was pleased with a Barbel of 7lb 8ozs which was followed by some good Chub to 4lb 6ozs then a small Barbel of about 2lb. I had decided on an early start so that I could finish around mid-day and return home to catch the football. At 11:30 I made that final last cast before packing up and within a few minutes the rod sprang to life from a characteristic Barbel bite. After a few powerful runs I knew I had a special fish attached. At a fraction over 10lbs it turned out to be only my second ever Wye double. What a start to the season!

3 Barbel, 6 Chub

Tough conditions today, a rising river and a lot of debris washing through, forced me to fish under the rod tip in Legg Meadow. The result was a single bite and a single barbel landed. However, the barbel weighed 10lb 2oz! My first Wye double! I've fished this beat for eight years and caught somewhere between 300 and 350 barbel in this time, so to finally get a 10lb+ fish is just great. And on June 16th too! A day I wont soon forget. Great beat, fantastic fishing. Back in a few weeks.

1 Barbel

No Catch.

2 barbel of about 5lb each to end the season. Back on June 16th!

2 Barbel

Caught 7 barbel (best 11lb 2oz) and 3 chub (best 6lb+). All fish caught on pellet feeder except biggest chub on cheese paste and came between 2pm and 7pm.

7 Barbel, 3 Chub

2 Barbel, 1 Chub