Feedback & Reports

This was the first of two days booked on what turned out to be a great weekend for two of the party. I started in the woods but had nothing so moved up to the waterworks swim mid morning. I had to work hard but by the time it got dark I had managed six barbel to 9 lbs 3 ozs and a 4 lbs chub. My good friend fished all day in the woods and had a fabulous day, bagging nine barbel to 10 lbs 9 ozs. His first Wye double. Unfortunately the other two blanked but to be fair spent most of the day away from the river visiting a friend. The beer and curry tasted good that evening!

15 Barbel, 1 Chub

Water very low and clear but not much boat traffic thank god! Caught all fish on pellet and groundbait feeder thoughout the day. Most barbel on small side (2/4lb) but best was 9lb 6oz. Chub to 4lb and 2 good sized eels, good to meet Don again - his help is second to none.

11 Barbel, 4 Chub, 2 Other

Tough day but we managed a few. This was the last of five trips I had booked on Courtfield this year, but I might try and squeeze another in towards the end of October if we get mild weather. A good year though all things considered with plenty of big barbel and chub caught despite less than ideal conditions for a lot of the Summer. Great beat, a lovely bit of river. I will return!

4 Barbel, 1 Chub

Hard but enjoyable day. Hook pulled out of barbel early in session. One 6lb fish later in day.

1 Barbel

River low with colour but difficult. 4 anglers spread out throughout stretch, no obvious holding spots.

5 Barbel, 3 Chub

Lovely day. River looked great. Little too clear. Really enjoyed being there, unfortunately fish didn't want to play.

Very overgrown. Only one decent swim, very weedy. Caught nothing. Left after two and a half hours after not a single bite.

WUF note - This beat has a number of easily accessible swims. The Booking Confirmation email offers anglers the opportunity to contact the beat owner directly who can meet them on their arrival and introduce them to the beat and the swims available that are fishing best at that time. Anglers are advised to use this service to maximise their chances of catching and their fishing experience.

Difficult day fishing. Bright sun, gin clear water. Despite this, excellent day out.

3 Barbel, 3 Chub

Largest barbel was 9lbs 4ozs and best chub was 4lbs 2ozs. All fish were caught on various combinations of feeder fished pellet.
This was the last day of four really enjoyable days spent fishing on two different beats. Thanks to all involved for making the fishing on this superb river available.

9 Barbel, 2 Chub

Arrived for first light and after walking the entire beat, opted to start in the Wood Crib. At 11am and without a bite, the decision to move was simple. Moved up stream and baited various spots that took my fancy and settled into the swim with the drain cover (done alright there previously). Again, very slow so roved about flicking luncheon meat under bushes and overhanging trees. Eventually felt something pull back and instantly recognized the frenzied fight as only an Eel fights, damn those serpents! Still, a fish is a fish. Resettled back at the drain and didn't have to wait long for the first Barbel, a stunning little fish of around 2lb. Followed this with a Chub of 4lb 7oz. It was not very long before the 3ft quiver came into the equation, eventually resulting in a barbel of 7lb 4oz. This fish gave absolutely everything in the fight and took nearly 10mins to recover. She went away strong and well in the end. No sooner had I recast, the tip was bouncing again, this time a chub of around 3lb. Finally as the light began to fail the best fish of the day returned to the folds of the landing net, weighing in at 8lb 4oz. Looked every bit of a high 9lb fish, tiredness had obviously set in clouding my judgment! All fish fell to either sweet corn or halibut pellet, hair rigged over a feeder of hemp and crushed halibut pellet laced with corn and 6mm pellet.
All in all a satisfactory day considering the conditions and the lack of water. Only one disappointing thing to report. When I was dropping bait in various swims, I arrived at one, to find a half used tin of sweet corn, an empty beer can and various other wrappings and the lid off of the sweet corn discarded in the undergrowth. I cleared this up and took it away with me to dispose of. I do hope that this was the remnants of a poacher and not an angler that had booked through the WUF!
Thank you Don and WUF for keeping this lovely beat available.

3 Barbel, 2 Chub, 1 Other