Feedback & Reports

1 barbel of about 5lb and 2 chub of 3-4lb. River looked OK, decent colour, maybe a bit pacy but the water temperature was very cold. Quite slow going, only 3 bites all day. Only 3 or 4 swims that are realistically fishable at the moment. Saw otters in 2 different swims at top and bottom of the stretch.

1 Barbel, 2 Chub

A very muddy but rewarding day on this beat.
River was 2.8m on the Lydbrook Gauge and water still carrying a fair tinge. I think with a bit less water pushing through, perhaps 2m on the gauge this would open up a lot more of the swims for Pike potential.
The very first cast of the day (just after dawn) resulted in Pike rolling near the surface when chasing in a deadbait while on the retrieve. The next cast, leaving the bait in position, ended a take no more than 2 minutes later: most likely the same fish - a decent, solid Wye Pike of 14-15lbs in the net, which unfortunately we were unprepared to photograph.
A hour or so later in a different spot another quick take from a Pike of around 10 lbs was landed (photographed).
Some good action and a satisfying result from a long days effort of scrambling and sliding the banks.

2 Pike

Started fishing at 11am, River was clear and high. Banks very slippery. Fished with halibut pellets to start, after a couple of hours changed to a bait I haven't used for years, luncheon meat.First cast had a typical barbel bite, but had a hook pull after a minute or so. Felt like a good fish, but they always do when you miss them. Nothing after. The only down side was a pheasant shoot on the other side of the river most of the day. Very loud.

The Wye was in perfect condition for a winter fishing session; likewise the weather. I was not disappointed, with barbel up to 7lbs and the best chub over 41/2 lbs. Halibut pellet and meat were the baits used with feeder method.

6 Barbel, 2 Chub

Fished various swims upstream from the hut with pellet feeder/meat and cheese paste. Not a twitch all day. Managed to wheedle out a 5lb chub on roving with meat in first swim downstream of the wood. I blame an over night water temp drop, not my bad angling!

1 Chub

Only one rod of the two paid for was used. I have submitted my return .

1 Chub

Fishing a maggot feeder we had the surprise grayling in the morning and the chub, around four pounds at dusk on a cheese paste hook bait. The water was brisk and coloured but by no means in flood considering the season.

1 Grayling, 1 Chub

chub very obliging, caught from the off opposite the concrete wall.all fish came to meat feeder tactics,bonus barbel about 6 lb came later in the day.river low and clear.

1 Barbel, 11 Chub

Brief feeding spell early afternoon led to 3 barbel caught on flavoured meat. Small chub at end of day .

3 Barbel, 1 Chub