Feedback & Reports

After weeks of reading catch reports talking about low river levels, I arrived on the bank after three days of rain and plenty of water pushing through and in good colour. The weather was fine sunshine and broken cloud. Arrived around 7.00am and fished until 6.00pm. Everything I had read about the walk from the car park to the bottom end of the copse was true. The hill is a challenge with your gear so travel light, I'm pleased I did. The footpath through the copse wasn't as overgrown as I had been led to believe it would be from the reports I'd read but it was treacherous after the rain. Getting down to the river required the use of a rope. There aren't many swims accessible in the copse so its not hard to work out which one produces the multiple catch reports. Not the most comfortable day's fishing perched on a rock but well worth it. Fished pellet and feeder in the crease between a pool created by the croy and the main flow. I only landed 6 fish but with the Barbel to 7lb 4oz and Chub to 4lb 8oz it was a satisfying day. I would definitely go back.

3 Barbel, 3 Chub

I fished the last swim at the very end of the beat. Started on the feeder fishing the crease on the edge of the slack water. I had a few small chub around 6oz. After 3 hours of watching a motionless quivertip I got the trotting rod out and had 2 decent chub one over 4lb. The 2 guys upstream didnt appear to be fairing much better although I did see a barbel come out. The highlight of the day was a kingfisher perched on my rod. Beware if you dont like cattle. They are in the field and are very curious surrounding my car and licking the paint for whatever reason.

6 Chub

Hit the river at just the right time as it was starting to drop and fine down. The result was 16 barbel to 8.10 all taken on pellet from Legg Meadow, most upstreaming in mid river. Always enjoy fishing Courtfield but can't always count on a bag of this size.

16 Barbel

Gorgeous stretch, a tranquil and peaceful place except for fifteen minutes of mayhem when a very lively group of children in five or six canoes were shepherded from pool to pool by instructors. Needless to say, they held just above our swim and proceeded to shout instructions. To add to our delight, the children who were too young to canoe were brought along the bank by another instructor. They settled on the top of the bank directly behind us and engaged us in lively conversation!! Fortunately, they didn't stay long and we found it all rather hilarious.
All fish caught on pellet, with the river dropping back nicely.
A stunningly beautiful stretch of river, some lovely swims and a great place to fish (especially if you like children!)

4 Barbel, 1 Chub

River was up and had considerable pace. I had to use a 6oz pellet feeder to hold bottom for the start of the day but as the water dropped was able to comfortably fish with 3 or 4oz. River had a gorgeous caramel colour and the fish were on it throughout the day. Second visit to this stretch and there will be many more to come. Biggest barbel was 10lb 6oz and the biggest chub was 6lb 5oz a PB for me by 2oz! Fished a back up swim as the swim next to the access path was taken and I wasn't disappointed. I did however lose lots of tackle due to the deluge of weed and other detris. Saw a tree come down the river at one stage!!!

8 Barbel, 10 Chub

River rising just a little and had plenty of colour. Pellet and feeder tactic's. B had not caught a barbel for 37 years. Filled his boots today though. 18 barbel and 5 chub plus 2 eels.

18 Barbel, 5 Chub, 2 Other

River very high & rising. 6 barbel to 9lb 2oz lost 2 also. Thanks to Don & Kenny for the help & advice

6 Barbel

River a raging torrent. Did not fish & transferred to Courtfield. Many thanks to Don & Allyson at the Foundation for allowing this.

First time on this beat. Fished the woods and despite damp conditions didn't have too much trouble walking up the hill and round the woods although would recommend fishing light and taking only the essentials as I did. Fished pellet with feeder and caught 2 barbel to 7lb 3oz and 5 chub around 3 to 4lb. River was high and difficult to fish as I have not seen lower - so lost quite a bit of tackle on unseen rocks. Interesting beat and definately worth a return trip in better conditions! Thanks WUF!

2 Barbel, 5 Chub

After a late start due to car trouble, we arrived to find two other fishermen preparing to fish the same beat and reluctant to agree that they had got it wrong. Thanks to Alyson at WUF it was soon sorted and we finally started fishing. Overnight rain reversed the previous day's trend of falling water levels but conditions were good and we began to pull some barbel into our swims.
After catching 2 in midstream a move to down the near margin surprisingly produced a string of quality fish between 3lbs and 9lbs. A couple of chub managed to foil the hair rig - they just couldn't resist our baits!
The weather was good too! Kingfishers, Jack Snipe, Buzzards, Sparrow hawk ... what more can you ask for.

11 Barbel, 3 Chub