Feedback & Reports

Lovely sunny day but the river was running very low and clear. We fished at the lower end of the beat and after a slow start the fish eventually came on the feed. We stuck with the conventional feeders and luncheon meat or sweet corn baits. We did lose a fair amount of end equipment on snags but that is the Wye for you. A great day with 2 of the chub exceeding 5 lbs and the barbel up to 9 and half pounds. Saw plenty of wildlife including the kingfisher on his territory. This environment on a well maintained beat is what fishing is all about and as ever Colin the bailiff was full of helpful advice.

9 Barbel, 10 Chub

Great days fishing with my son, Both caught PB's mine a 9lb 10oz perfect conditioned Barbel, and my son an 8lb 12oz Barbel. All other Barbel between 3 and 7lb with Chub up to 5lb
Only fished from 6am till 13.00pm, all fish came to pellet on feeder from first cast. Lost a few too many on snags but just really enjoyed the morning. Some weed coming down the river but not to bad. Just a word of warning if you fish the bottom of the beat, as we did, travel light. It's a bit of a walk and a little hilly.

12 Barbel, 10 Chub

Arrived at 3pm to avoid majority of canoe traffic. Fished until 9.30pm, had 15 barbel from bottom pool, 10 of which were under 1 pound.

15 Barbel

Unfortunately my scheduled companion for the day was ill so had to cry off at short notice. Weather was bit to hot and river low. The ghillie from the stretch above had 2 salmon anglers for the day and indicated that they might want to fish the top swim, (Vanstone Pool), if I didn't mind. I was happy to leave them to it but did struggle during the day for just 3 chub. When they left at 5 p.m. I moved into the pool and added another chub and 4 barbel to 8lbs. A satisfying end to the day but I was less happy that the ghillie told me that the pool would no longer be available to coarse anglers next season. It is a difficult, snaggy swim but does produce fish. This fishery has contracted considerably over the years and if it is to do so again not sure that we will want to book it in future.

4 Barbel, 4 Chub

River low and weed being washed down, difficult conditions but managed 4 chub on luncheon meat.

4 Chub

Slightly more difficult day at Wyebank as the water was exceptionally low and the venue has obviously been fished hard throughout the last few weeks. However we managed to have a great day spent in stunning surroundings yet again. The barbel were a little more elusive than my last trip but all the same Mat managed 14 barbel to 4lbs and I had 13 to 5lbs. Lots of juvenile fish provided sport throughout the day. Note to others fishing the venue: This is a great venue for smaller fish that provides action throughout the day regardless of boat traffic. Just enjoy it for what it is. If you want bigger barbel then try other venues, read the previous catch reports first before booking. For a day of quantity then this is a terrific venue. All our fish fell to small hookbaits, 6mm pellets and size 12/14 hooks. There are a few better fish present but you'll have to work through the smaller ones first. Not really a big hardship in my opinion. The only downside I can see to this venue is the path which I have commented on before. Yet again both myself and Mathew fell over at the end of the day and have the bruises to prove it. The path needs some work and a little strimming of undergrowth really wouldn't hurt. Some of the rocks positioned on the path are extremely unstable and I would suggest that some reinforcement is urgently required before someone badly hurts themselves!

23 Barbel, 4 Chub

Another wonderful days fishing on the Wye. I caught 17 barbel and 12 chub in the wood on feeder tactics. The fish were in much better condition than my last visit a few weeks ago. My friend fished in the field near the hut but only had one chub, sadly a double hip replacement has meant a level bit of bank is more important these days. It was his first visit to the Wye and despite a lack of fish he really enjoyed his day.

17 Barbel, 13 Chub

Very good day for both of us. Many barbel and chub, but without specimen fish (chub average 3-4 lb, barbel 5-7).

26 Barbel, 24 Chub

Second time on this beat and it looked a little low but promising with some decent flow through the near bank gulley, but it was really hard going and the barbel were playing hard to get. A lovely spot to spend a day all the same, we probably missed the best of day as the attraction of a few pints of Wye valley ale drew us away.

1 Barbel, 5 Chub

A disappointing day, I was unable to contact Terry over the weekend prior to my visit on the Monday despite leaving a message & 4-5 calls, so I opted to fish beat 5 same as last year, the swims were difficult to access apart from where the cattle had entered the water: this posed a problem of it's own when the over confident young bulls decided they was thirsty, be warned if they are in the field go to a different beat they are dangerous, this would possibly have been avoided if I could have contacted Terry(maybe on holiday as he is usually very good).
8 cormorants & 1 mink visited during the day along with 4 eastern Europeans on opposite bank poaching with spinning rods who I reported immediately to WUF who then I believe was able to contact Terry. I didn't receive a call back to confirm whether they was apprehended or not.
WUF Note: Our thanks to AW for reporting the incident immediately to us. Terry visited the beat (and neighbouring fisheries) later that day but unfortunately could not find the poachers.