Feedback & Reports

Fishing hard, river low with bright conditions and hundreds of canoeists, they never seem to see you.

3 Barbel, 3 Chub

Started promisingly enough at 5pm with interest every cast on meat until 2 boatloads of idiots came through and decided to start their outboard motors in my swim while shouting to me.
Went quiet for a while after that but we did have 1 barbel each circa 5 and 6 pounds, neither was weighed. 1 on pellet, 1 on meat. I also lost 2 to snags (along with seven 12lb GT80 hooklinks!) and one other to a hook pull. A bit snaggy but a pleasant beat to fish.
We had the usual brainless hire kayakers who either don't care or simply can't control the things come in close once or twice but we didn't start til 5m so thankfully missed most of them. We simply reel in or dip the rods but unless something is done to increase angler awareness amongst the hire fraternity I can see some ugly scenes developing which will ultimately impact WUF and the fantastic fishing they've made accessible.
Not even my usual method of sitting there sharpening my machete kept the hirelings away! As usual the privateers were courteous and considerate...well, except the guys with the Outboards.
All in all we were happy to catch seeing as it was 29 degrees with bright sunshine on arrival. Thanks WUF, an enjoyable evening :-)
A last word to anyone staying til last knockings....it gets DARK under those trees!

2 Barbel

Caught one chub on trotted bread in the morning (only fished 0530 to 1000), Chub 3lbs 13oz.

Acted on advice from bailiff fished in the evening from 1830 to 2115, the bottom glide under tree's. First take produced a good struggle fish felt heavy but before I even saw it hook pulled; as it turned out hook was partially bent should have checked clutch setting as didn't quite get the tension off in time.

Followed a series of good takes, should have done better at least managed a 4 lb 4 oz Barbel and a 4 lb Chub. Bites for Barbel were not the savage takes I experienced at the Bibblings stretch last year. I did however enjoy the experience and I will probably be back for some more next year.

1 Barbel, 2 Chub

All six barbel caught on Halibut or crab pellet , ranging from 5lb 2oz to 6lb 12oz on a simple ledger rig .all fish were in superb condition.

The river was clear and low, lot of streamer weed in places with a shoal of barbel spotted in a really dense weed area on the near bank, however like most of this beat almost impossible to fish for.

The only downside to this beat is the lack of swims available, I know you can "make your own" ,which is what we tried to do, only to find that once you get next to the river, it is either a steep drop off ranging from 6-10 feet or overhanging trees making landing anything all but impossible.

There are maybe 4/5 places to actually fish from. I was disappointed in the lack of swims/access to the swims.
That said if you want to go and stalk these barbel the effort is well worth it these fish are beautiful in colour and condition. Take a rope to get back up the bank if you are feeling brave.
On a really big plus point fishing from the croy is an absolute joy , you will know what I mean when you get there!!!.

The scenery if fantastic with all manner of wildlife to watch " as we'll as your rod tip". Trout rising opposite the Croydon all evening after the hatch.

It's a healthy climb to get back to the car, take a torch if you leave at dusk it's quite dark in the wood. I would go back here no doubt but with a view to going light.

6 Barbel

Very disappointing day. Tried everything but couldn't get a bite.

Arriving at first light we managed 3 Barbel from 6 to nearly 8lbs from towards the far end of the beat. By 10am, it was already pretty hot & obvious that the Barbel had gone for an early siesta so we packed up & made our way back for a well earned full english & a cold shower.

We returned at 5pm, & with the mercury touching 32C we made the sweat drenched trip back to the same area. As the sun started to drop, the Barbel came on the feed again & we managed another 5 of a similar size until the light started to fade & we reluctantly had to reel in & call it a day.

An enjoyable visit overall but limited somewhat by the the weather conditions, the low & clear water & the limited number of fisherable swims, particularly as our trio included a father & son meaning we needed to fish close together on the grounds that returning to a distraught mother to explain how we had sacrifed her precious teenager son to the river Wye might have been a bit tricky.

I note from a previous report that there is nothing to stop you from creating swims but the feasibility of this is a bit constrained by the level to which the vegetation has now grown on along much of the beat. Whilst accepting this may not be too much of a issue to anyone young & fit there is still the consideration of finding a spot that allows for access close enough to the water to allow fish to be safely landed & returned.

8 Barbel

A long walk from the new car park, for very few swims. The river was very low for the time of year. No fish caught. The day did not start well as the bridge at Hoarwithy was closed for repairs, meaning a long diversion.

One of the hottest days of the year, most of the day was spent trying to keep cool and hydrated! However; the evening fishing around the cribs was really enjoyable and I managed to catch a very nice barbel of 8lb 12oz, a stunning fish. A really nice beat and would fish it again.

3 Barbel, 2 Chub, 1 Other

Low water and very sunny day, not condusive to barbel fishing. Tried most methods and baits with no joy, would like to have fished it early morning or evening but not possible, Wonderful beat, will be back in Sept.

2 Chub

Although a good day was had by all including a 3lb eel and P.B. barbel for a fellow angler. The lack of prepared pegs was a concern. Also fishermen from the other bank sat in the middle of the river fishing the side we booked was also a concern.

16 Barbel, 7 Chub, 3 Other