Feedback & Reports

Tried the Meadow and subsequently the Woods stretch, but as the whole beat is on the outside of a massive bend and there was an extra 6 or 7 feet of water. There was a distinct lack of slack enough water in which 4oz of lead could keep a bait. The banks were treacherous too and with the rain lashing it down, we'd had enough by lunchtime, so moved to a stretch a few miles downstream where we caught six barbel to 9lb in a few hours. I know it's tricky in that you tend to have to book Courtfield a few weeks in advance, but if you suspect rain, I'd suggest a different stretch where you can find some slacker water.

WUF note - When the river is high slacker water can be found at the bottom of the beat by the Courtfield Inn, see where to fish guide http://www.lowerwyefishing.co.uk/the-courtfield-water/where-to-fish.

An enjoyable day, fishing was tough with about 4-5 feet of extra water coming through and water temperature dropped. Still managed 2 barbel and 5 chub. All fish came mid day to early afternoon when water rose to its peak temperature level, despite arriving first light and leaving on dark. Fish caught on pellets and small PVA bags of mixed size pellets.

A tough day on Courtfield but still can't think of a better place to be. River was running through at a fair rate of knots and inside lines were all that was possible. Many swims tried by one of us with the other remaining relatively stationary in 'the new swim'. It was the latter that produced the only barbel of the day at 8lb 13oz. The only other fish to grace the banks being a greedy 1lb eel. Good to meet up and speak with Don again but even his words of wisdom failed us this time. Will be back again and again. Thanks WUF.

1 Barbel, 1 Other

The river was big when we first arrived and although I had fished it previously when high with some success it was exceptionally high with loads of debris. We fished very heavy and in close in the meadow, put in plenty of pellets and tried to present a static bait. My son had a nice 9lb 7oz barbel about an hour later and we thought we would catch some more. Unfortunately it went quiet and we started to lose a lot of tackle. We persevered but after a helpful chat we Don he suggested moving down to the top of the Wyebank beat. We took his offer and moved down, it certainly was easier to fish and hold bottom but the fish just weren't interested so we finished up with just the one fish but on a day when no one else bothered, we were pleased!

1 Barbel

I brought two of my mates along as a return favour. It was lashing it down all day. With the brolly blowing inside out and with the river rising we thought we would all struggle but my mate caught his pb barbel at 9lb 11oz and my son had one one at 8lb 4oz. We caught 7 barbel, 1 chub and foul hooked a jack pike. Not a bad day.

7 Barbel, 1 Chub, 1 Pike

River was rising slightly and colouring up throught the day as a result of overnight storms. First fish came from the first cast at 5am, the trusty peg 13, producing a beautiful 9lb fish. Then very quiet until an 8lb Barbel was landed around midday. keeping the lines in swim became increasingly tricky as a lot of weed and debris but I have a feeling it would have continued to fish well. A bonus chub of 3-4lb was landed later in the day (winning me the match, phew). Will definateiy fish well as the river starts to return to pre-storm levels.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

Tough fishing conditions on this occasion.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

Second of a two day trip. River still low and a bit sluggish. Loads of debris in the River due to the high winds no doubt. Tried a static approach and caught a nice chub early on, unfortunately it went quiet after that. Thought it would pick up late afternoon and into the evening but nothing happened, perhaps I should have moved around but tried that the day before to no avail so sat it out and left with just the one fish.

1 Chub

Weather nice for time of year, but not ideal for fishing; banks very slippery from rain earlier in week. Nice dace trotting from the Meadow; later move to Legg Meadow Crib produced a small barbel and some nice chub to same tactic on far bank run. Will come again.

1 Barbel, 3 Chub, 1 Other

Tough day again following on from previous day but had a rather bizarre occurrence. Rained non-stop from first light until about 1300 hrs then turned into T-shirt weather until the sun went down. Started in Fallen Tree but moved to Meadow mid-morning. Hooked a slow moving powerful barbel first cast in meadow (snag swim) which unfortunately found a rock and my hook-link parted. Felt like a very good fish so wasn't best pleased. Moved to swim next to waterworks mid-afternoon (on Don's advice). Hooked a barbel on third cast and made sure it didn't find any underwater obstructions this time. When I went to unhook it there were two hooks in its bottom lip, one of them attached to my severed hooklink from the morning! It was mine beyond any doubt (I even counted the number of turns on my knotless knot as a final check). How amazing was that? I was using barbless hooks in case anyone is wondering so was surprised it hadn't dropped out. Two bites all day and both from the same fish. Took away the frustration of losing it. Was fairly convinced I had lost a double but I hadn't as it went 8 lbs 5 ozs. PS left my rod rests in the snag swim!

1 Barbel