Feedback & Reports

I could not have wished for better conditions for this time of year, river about 2.5 feet up fairly clear and dropping back. The back end of a really mild spell and a lovely part of the river. I was not disappointed, five barbel 7lb, 7lb 8oz, 8lb 4oz, 8lb 12oz and a 10lb 4oz. Thank you Don you have a great beat here and I will be back next week to have a go for the salmon. I saw two fish in the river when I was there and if I get as much luck with the conditions again you never know!

Cracking day with river in good order but I couldn't find a fish in any of Don's recommended spots or areas I figured out for myself. The river was up a couple of feet and Don had suggested the conditions were right to try for the chub and dace that occupy the bottom pool, fishing maggots on the stick from the steps near the lower car park. I didn't try it but I should have. Still, the sun shone and all was well.
One more go before the season ends, I think.

A days pike fishing was the plan and Courtfield the venue. Arriving to find a ground frost and a slowly rising river from the previous days rain we were glad the barbel rods were left at home. Walking the stretch, as this was our first visit, we were encouraged by the water available and for the Wye the access to it. A roving approach was adopted to start with to try and find any feeding pike but apart from one missed opportunity, as a rightly disappointed K.B struck into thin air, this method was not successful. After a chat with the very knowledgeable and friendly Don a plan to sit it out in some pegs with previous form seemed worth while but as the light began to fade we both had to concede defeat to the Wye pike.

Very enjoyable day again and whilst the quantity wasn't there the quality was great! 2 chub approx 3lb and a brace of double figure barbel, 11lb and 10lb 3oz, sent me home with a smile on my face. All fish coming to paste wrapped pellets.

Lots of good work been done since I last visited with several more easily accessible swims now when the water is at its usual level, so looking forward to visiting again soon and roaming around a bit. Many thanks to all.

We did not catch a thing. With regards to the fishing venue it was the first time I had been there and I have to say that I was very disappointed that most of the places you could fish on the were unfishable, the sides were so steep with little or no room at the bottom of the slope, there was only 1 place on the whole stretch that was actually fishable and had a flat section at the bottom of the slope (which is where we fished). When selecting a stretch of the Wye to fish we just went by the information on your website, however there was no mention at all of the steep slopes and limited fishing spots on your website. I would not fish at the Courtfield stretch again.

One pike - 17lb 4oz. Lure. Nice stretch.

While the river looked good unfortunately we both blanked.
My son was after pike never had a bite. I was fishing red maggot through a block end drennan feeder, had two very shy bites which I missed. We will visit again.

Two sea trout [1lb and 2lb], one grayling 5oz, one chub 2lb. All fish caught on red maggot. The river was carrying extra snow melt water and going thru. Water temp was 4 degrees all day killing any hope of barbel. Really helpful advice from the owner and locals. Can't wait to get back in better conditions.

Nothing caught at all, river rising and colouring not good pike conditions.

Had a lovely day on this beautiful stretch of water, yet didn't get a bite. Tried various different swims from the Wood Crib all the way up to Legg Meadow which were recommended by locals and the owner Don Macey Wright (lovely chap and very knowledgeable about the environment there). Also tried a variety of different tactics for the Barbs, meat pellets paste, feeders and ledgers etc, but nothing doing at all. Even tried maggot and casters on lighter gear to see I could tempt a Chub or Dace and this didn't even produce a twitch.
The conditions looked right, quite mild after a previous cold spell, rising water with colour, but I could only fish the near side margins due to the flow.
Looks like a fantastic, well maintained stretch though and it is in a beautiful area, so I will definitely be back later in the year. Don said the Barbs started showing from March onwards.
Saw one cormorant and also another Angler from Lydbrook fishing for Pike, he didn't catch either and from speaking with Don, shouldn't have been there as I was the only person booked on the stretch…