Feedback & Reports

15 Barbel, 5 Chub

First of two days and once again Courtfield spoiled us. We fished in the woods area (which I have always found more productive when the river is low). The morning was slow with only a barbel to SE and a chub to me to show for our early start. The day was bright and sunny and as a result was unproductive so we concentrated on keeping our two swims fed in preparation for the evening. As we have found so often, as soon as the shadows moved over the river in the late afternoon the fish started to feed. It was never hectic but a steady run of bites up to dusk produced another eight barbel to SE (including two super fish of 10 lbs 1 oz and 11 lbs 14 ozs) and five barbel to 7 lbs 7 ozs and one chub of 4 lbs 10 ozs to me. The only down side for me was my swim was quite rocky on the bottom and I got cut off a couple of times on hooked barbel. All fish were taken on feeder and pellet tactics. Same old tactics but it works!

14 Barbel, 2 Chub

Only had very limited time to fish it mid day. Had one chub from the fast shallow end, nothing from the Orchard side.

1 Chub

River was fishing low and clear even after the heavy rain the night before. As it has already been said in previous reports the opposite side of the bank up from the bridge for about 2/3rds of the remaining stretch was busy with anglers making most of the river unfishable, not wanting to ruin there fishing opposite.
Three of us booked the stretch and we found the available options on where to fish quite limited because of the opposite bank pressure.
Having said that the river is quite stunning in its beauty and we were quite happy with spending most of our time fishing the end section below the bridge. We started catching Chub in the fast water and eventually one rod found a place the Barbel where holding up. All three of us were very happy with our catches and enjoyed our time on the river. We had Barbel to over 9Lb and Chub to over 4Lb.

15 Barbel, 19 Chub

Fished afternoon til dusk in the mill pool swim which had a nice depth as the river was low,watch out for a hidden snag to the right of swim ,snapped out on it a couple of times,cast a little more left. Had 4 barbel, 2 chub and lost a couple on pellet and feeder tactics. Nice stretch in lovely surroundings.

4 Barbel, 2 Chub

River quite low, but good flow and colour. Weather dry, warm, overcast and calm. A lovely late afternoon and evening session with five barbel about 4.5 - 7lb, all on halibut pellet and feeder. Couldn't have been better!

5 Barbel

Just fished for the afternoon and landed 3 barbel.Biggest being 9lb.A lovely beat and will be back for sure.

3 Barbel

We arrived at this attractive and accessible beat to find the far bank lined with anglers from the Birmingham AA, who now control that side of the water down to the bridge. The sight of keepnets in the water for barbel was quite alarming.
We don't always expect exclusivity but this fishing is very expensive and our options were severely restricted, perhaps this should be mentioned in the beat description. My companion did very well to winkle out two barbel and three chub from the fast water while I had to content myself with four chub.

2 Barbel, 7 Chub

All fish caught on feeder using pellet during a busy 2 hour spell in the morning after which it went very quiet despite a couple of moves. In hindsight probably should have moved into faster water by island as day warmed up. River was on low side, weather bright most of the day,a very nice stretch of river peaceful except for an abundance of geese.
Speaking to fishermen the previous day the farmer questioned why access was down side of his field instead of through churchyard which was a public footpath. Down side of field there is in fact a sign which says "no footpath" only visible when returning back to car park. They, as I did, explained that we were following guidance given so as not to cause offence. Perhaps some clarification involving farmer may prevent any ill feeling. Feel free to edit out these comments, only trying to help.
Regarding booking fishing this was very easy through website and directions and details given were very much appreciated, thank you.

6 Barbel

Arrived late afternoon and fished until dusk... Only managed 5 chub although the conditions seemed good. Back again tomorrow.

5 Chub