Feedback & Reports

Decided not to fish the morning session following our experience with the masses of kayaks the previous day, so arrived at about 4pm to find the river carrying a bit more colour from the overnight rain. A few kayaks and boats still on the river, but without exception they were all quiet and considerate to us as anglers.
We returned to the "Rocks" swim in the wooded section, this time being aware of the safer, rock - free areas in front of us. Using swim-feeder approach and 16mm pellet bait we caught 3 nice Barbel weighing 7lb.4oz, 7lb.15oz, and 9lb 11oz. Only lost one barbel and very little tackle to the rocks this time having found the clear runs on the far bank.

Arrived 6am to find river slightly up and in good condition. My son and I chose to fish the meadow section and caught 2 Eels and a Chub before the mass of kayaks caused us to pack-up at 10am. Following a recce of the wooden section of this stretch we returned to my son's home in Bristol.
We returned at about 5pm to fish on the "Rocks" in the wooded section. In a very short evening spell we hooked two Barbel, landing one of 6lb.8oz. Lost one fish and quite a bit of end gear before finding the clearer patches. Determined to fish same spot the next day.

Very quiet day for Courtfield. After blanking at Meadow in the morning we tried the swim by the pub-taking a tiny chub. Went back to the Meadow swim and took 3 barbel 5lbs 7lbs & 8lbs late afternoon. Very bright sunny day did not help. Canoeists a pain as usual.

The river condition was low and clear so decided to fish the wood section. My theory was to roam around. Well 4 feeders lost in the first hour had me thinking again. So I headed for the meadow where I opened my account with a 6lb plus barbel and an eel. I then ventured down into the woods where in the space of 90 minutes had 4 chub with two being over 4lbs and 4 barbel to 6lbs 10oz. Lost many more feeders and hooklengths. The swim went quite for an hour then another small barbel came along. With just 2 feeders left I moved back up into the meadow and caught another small barbel and lost the last two feeders by 7.30pm. We had a storm during the afternoon where most of the rain fell upstream and the river started to rise a little. Note to self wait until the tide goes out on the Wye and go and retrieve my feeders. So 7 barbel and 5 chub is not too bad considering.

18.00 to 21.30 middle swim of Leggs Meadow. Took 13yr old Grandaughter M to try catch her first Barbel, with shouts of "its pulling me in" she did at a weighed 8lb 4oz then caught 2 more of similar size. 20mm halibut pellet with swim feeder in near third of river. I caught 1 also but it was smaller!
Both Courtfield and Wye Bank fishing well now but early morning and evening/dusk providing most fish to hand.
Tues morning river rising and coloured, should fish well.

Arrived at 7am full of anticipation as always wanted to fish this beat. Fished Legge Meadow roughly half way down. Baited my fancied swim & went for a wander, river looked superb & it really is a great stretch to be on.
Started fishing at 9-00 & hooked my first barbel at 9.20,a superb specimen at 8lb 3oz which fought like hell. 15 mins later landed a lovely chub which weighed 3lb 10oz.
Caught on & off until 2.45 when the river switched off. I ended up with 4 barbel (8lb 3oz,8lb, 6lb, 10oz, 5lb 6oz)plus 3 chub.
Stayed on till 7 pm without a bite after 3 pm
On the plus side,great service again from Wuf,superb beat,unbeatable scenery.
Now i,m sorry to say the down side,the bloody canoes.
As a fisherman i respect the rights of everyone to enjoy the glorious Wye but the canoe traffic was really heavy with waves & waves of muppets coming down the river,shouting,splashing with no regard for others.
At one point 6 canoeists (Polish or Lithuanian )paddled right up to me to ask for a light as they had lost their lighter,off they went discarding 3 beer cans into the river...unbelievable !!.

15 Barbel 9 Chub on pellet and boilie.

All three of us fished the field section and had a total of 11 barbel and 7 chub. All caught on pellets.

A fantastic day for our first visit to this absolutely unbelievable river. Carrying a little colour and up a foot from Monday, we took over 30 barbel to double figures. Mainly thanks to Don's advice on location, we targeted great pegs. A range of tactics worked. Pellet in various forms produced steady bites all day. The fish love to be fed. We will return again to this wonderful beat. WUF rule!

Several barbel and chub. Pellet and boilie used.