Feedback & Reports

Better day didn't loose any gear missed lots of bites

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

Nothing caught very snaggy lost quite a bit

First time on this beat since July 2021 but I had the same parking and swim access issues that have stopped me from returning. I have emailed the office with detailed comments.
As I arrived early I was able to reverse in front of the gate entrance on the little bit of hardcore there (room for one car when inside of the gate is squishy mud). This needs to be very quick with the window open listening for traffic as they rip round the bend from Lydbrook. Same issue with getting out where, unless you have a lookout, you're best driving straight into the waterworks entrance and going again from here.
There are currently only really two swims at the top end that have good access to the river and then best with water on (between 1 and 2m). There are swims opposite these which could prove difficult with bolshy anglers in. There are another two tight swims down a bit where you'd need to pray the fish didn't bolt downstream.
So back to my day:
Clear skies (clouded a bit later) and a 2.5c temp on arrival didn't bode well but with 1.3m (RoW), a good flow and colour, and an 11.9c water temp, I was still hopeful. 7 bites spread throughout the day kept interest up and these resulted in barbel of 3.08, 6.13 and 8.07, and a 4.10 chub. Fish came on bait changes to 12m robin red, 10mm halibut and a large lump of raggedy meat, with a GB feeder. So a thoroughly enjoyable day but this beat could be much more.

3 Barbel, 1 Chub

River was still rising with a couple of inches of visibility. Fished in the Meadow, successful baits being meat and boils wrapped in Paste (garlic and Cheese)

5 Barbel

1 Barbel

Not much information at all on the swims and no clear directions on how to get to them.

On arrival a very high and heavily coloured river limited swim choice but we found a couple of fishable swims in the meadow and the first fish was caught within 5 mins of fishing. Another five followed between 9:30-12:00 and then things went quiet until 16:00-17:00 when two more fish were added to the tally. The river dropped by 2m during the day and the main feeding spell came mid morning as the river level started to fall. Also lost a couple of barbel to hooklinks snapping on rocks during the fight. As a result I would recommend the use of flourocarbon hooklinks and regularly checking line for damage as it does happen a lot. All fish came to pretty standard feeder rigs. Car got stuck in the meadow just through the gate and had to be rescued with the generous help of Don (thanks again you hero!). Don’t park here if the ground is wet! Highly recommend the fish and chips from The Wye Fry in Lydbrook.

8 Barbel

Fast rising river which after a while made a couple of the limited number of swims virtually unfishable. Very wet conditions meant that that nearest 2 car parking places were unusable. The walk from the other car park is substantial and not for the faint hearted as only real route is along the road with lorry's whizzing past. More and better info about this would have been useful. Having said that the stretch did produce the most Barbel for us. All of which were caught on pellet. Other fish were Eels!

Fishing Passport Note : It is mentioned in the beat details that parking maybe subject to ground conditions. Any suggestions about more and better information is welcome.

9 Barbel, 2 Chub, 3 Other

Fishing on a rising river.(1.4m on lydbrook guage). Caught 8 barbel average 7-8lb, 2 chub, 1 chunky eel.

8 Barbel, 2 Chub, 1 Other

Thunder & lightning. Very heavy downpours but some decent barbel caught.

4 Barbel, 1 Chub