Feedback & Reports

As first visit to beat, spent a long time walking and assessing conditions before deciding to fish Marl bed, but in very bright conditions with water running low and clear, fish clearly were not co-operating. Moved a few times to try different swims including very snaggy Bridge swim where rigs lost. As had long drive back home, left just after lunch with no fish caught.

3 Barbel, 5 Chub

Tough day again following on from previous day but had a rather bizarre occurrence. Rained non-stop from first light until about 1300 hrs then turned into T-shirt weather until the sun went down. Started in Fallen Tree but moved to Meadow mid-morning. Hooked a slow moving powerful barbel first cast in meadow (snag swim) which unfortunately found a rock and my hook-link parted. Felt like a very good fish so wasn't best pleased. Moved to swim next to waterworks mid-afternoon (on Don's advice). Hooked a barbel on third cast and made sure it didn't find any underwater obstructions this time. When I went to unhook it there were two hooks in its bottom lip, one of them attached to my severed hooklink from the morning! It was mine beyond any doubt (I even counted the number of turns on my knotless knot as a final check). How amazing was that? I was using barbless hooks in case anyone is wondering so was surprised it hadn't dropped out. Two bites all day and both from the same fish. Took away the frustration of losing it. Was fairly convinced I had lost a double but I hadn't as it went 8 lbs 5 ozs. PS left my rod rests in the snag swim!

1 Barbel

A disappointing day. Arrived early and as it got light so the rain started and it hammered down for next six or seven hours. The River was low and did rise a faction but didn't really change a great deal. I tried numerous different methods and locations but nothing forthcoming. I baited some areas and fished a static bait and also tried rolling meat. My first blank.

Very heavy rain all morning but river very low and clear.
Began fishing at 1pm. Tough fishing even in the hotspot.
One barbel to 6lb on pellet.

1 Barbel

Met with very helpful and knowledgeable guide Adam Fisher and spent first two hours walking the beat with him pointing out likely swims. Very heavy rain made for unpleasant fishing conditions and prevented access to certain swims which would have proved too risky.
Took one nice chub before realising I had an active wasp's nest very close to my head and made a swift retreat as a result. Rest of day spent searching other swims including bridge swim where rigs lost in snaggy conditions. Encroaching cattle made for uncomfortable fishing after that bringing an end to an enjoyable but frustrating day - but for the wasps, that swim had great potential!

1 Chub

Slow sport especially when bright sunshine. All fish caught in mid morning when early mist had cleared. Also lost another barbel. Chubb lively on maggots. Lovely venue but so much traffic and chatter on opposite bank, cars coming and going all day long. Our bank was nice and tranquil.

1 Barbel, 3 Chub

Dads 70th birthday and even though the barbel didn't come to play the chub certainly did with him taking 26, including a few over 5lbs. Dad and Colin the Gillie had good old chat and laugh. Brilliant day, Thank you WUF.

39 Chub, 8 Other

Difficult day with bright sun on a low clear river. Lacking the agility of a goat and the skills of a mountaineer my choice of swim was limited to one that I could access. A good barbel at 8lbs 10oz came early but once the sun came out the fish disappeared. I stuck to my pellet attack thinking they would come to the feed but my 2nd and final fish did not come until late afternoon. A good fish at 6lbs 8oz. Lot of floating weed about which made life difficult at times. Found the walk back up the steep slope quite exhausting on my mid 70's frame. I was due to fish the stretch again the following day but but with heavy rain in the morning I abandoned the idea as it could be quite dangerous for a lone angler.

2 Barbel

Number of fish caught 0, hope to be back next spring.