Feedback & Reports

Peter caught 1 barbel 11-2

1 Barbel

A challenging day, with the river still running low & clear & with a change in weather conditions. Adapted a pro-active approach to the day, moving swims many times & trying a variety of baits (halibut pellets of various sizes & a range of fish meal based boilies & meat) & sticking with the normally productive methods of the feeder or PVA bags. We eventually found a few fish feeding, taking a couple from one swim at the downstream end of the woods early afternoon & a third, a couple of hundred yards further upstream just before dusk, an enjoyable & fulfilling day on the Wye as always.

3 Barbel

Fishing conditions not perfect with very little fish activity throughout daylight hours. Majority of fish caught as light began to fade into evening. Fished feeder tactics using boilies and pellets as hook bait.

8 Barbel, 7 Chub

Final day and, as forecast, no change in the weather! 2 opted for the lower section and caught 1 barbel of 7.13 on pellet (also lost 2) and a chub of 3.8. The other 2 were at the top of Legg Meadow and landed 1 barbel of around 3lbs.
This is our 4th annual visit to Courtfield and it's always a pleasure just to be there.
Our catches haven't been prolific, but except for one "old bruiser" the barbel have been in superb condition and included 3 doubles. As always, thank you Don-it was good to have a chat and catch up on your news.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

3 were in the lower section, which produced 2 barbel of 5.9 and 10.8 on pellet-with 3 good fish lost in snags. The other 1 was in the wood and landed one barbel of 10.8, on pellet. Same conditions, similar catch (2 doubles) same enjoyment!

3 Barbel

Conditions unchanged, 2 fished the wood area and landed 1 barbel of 8.4, on pellet. The other 2 were more successful on the lower section landing 3 barbel of 4.8, 7.4 and 7.12,
on pellet, with 2 barbel and one chub lost in snags.
A difficult day in the wood but, again, very enjoyable.

4 Barbel

First day of 4 on this stretch - 1 fished the wood area and 2 the bottom section. Wood produced 2 barbel, on pellet, of 6.10 and 10.12, with one lost, and approx 20 dace on the float-to a very respectable 6ozs. Difficult day on the lower section, with only one good barbel lost in a snag to show for our efforts.
Although near zero overnight temperature, bright sunshine and low water level are not great fishing conditions, how can you not enjoy being in such wonderful surroundings.

2 Barbel, 20 Other

First trip to this beat and I was very impressed by the amount of water and accessibility of the swims. Unfortunately the conditions for this trip were far from ideal with a very cold dawn and then bright sunshine all day. We fished a number of swims in leg meadow with only a minnow to show for our efforts.
As the day drew on we gambled on what I hoped would be some faster water in the last swim of boat pool. We managed 5 Barbel and 5 Chub between us on pellet feeder tactics and lost one larger fish. Barbel between 6-8 Lb Chub up to 3Lb.
As an aside a big thank you to the other angler on the beat who having fished Courtfield before was very happy to offer advice and a few bolies too.

5 Barbel, 5 Chub

The river was a lot lower and clearer than expected. Had planned to fish using maggots and trotting a float through various swims in order to try catch a barbel on the float. However, didn't catch any barbel but plenty of small chub but only two of any real size. Stayed in the wood block all day, probably should have moved.

2 Chub

Difficult day! Conditions not ideal; arrived before sunrise in pretty cold temperatures. As the day went on we had bright sunshine all day. From about 10.30 the day became a total write off due to canoe traffic, making it almost impossible to fish. On more than occasion, both myself and my colleague had our gear towed away by idiots with absolutely no regard for anglers; and even less water craft. All we got by way of apology was a mouthful of abuse. This was my second experience of the Wye, totally different to first. Won't let this stop my returning; but will definitely avoid any weekend slots, outside of the winter months.
At the end of the day, the only bite of the day brought one small barbel of about 3lbs.

1 Barbel