Feedback & Reports

12.30pm to 7.30pm – 12 Barbel & 3 Chub. I fished 3 swims, all of the fish were under the 4lb but proved to be great sport nevertheless. The Island Swim is not on the beat map and has vague fishing rights described to me as “For The Local Anglers Only” but with consent of the very friendly Host or Owner you can wade out and fish a deep pool that runs under the trees on the far bank. One angler from last week had tweeted “50 Barbel between 3 of us! One of my greatest angling experiences ever!”

The Wye bank has gone straight into “My Favourites’” Unfortunately I have to mention the Canoes (lots of them). As usual they disappear about 4.30pm

Having booked the beat for two days on first arrival we walked the complete stretch and found that although large sections were not accessible the barbel, in low clear river conditions, were not hard to find. It also became clear that the one of us that had thought to bring chest waders and didn't have an illogical fear of cows was going to have the upper hand. I would say that we were expecting the fishing to be easier than it was and only through changing rigs, baits and swims did we manage to land the dozen or so barbel we had over the weekend. I would suggest traveling light to help over the styles and cover the large areas were there seems no access to the river.

A rainy morning gave way to a windy but dry afternoon and the river was up less than a foot with some colour. A slowish start with no chub showing to trotted bread led to the inevitable ledgered pellet with amazing results. Nine barbel and a small chub for me and five barbel for my father in law (I allowed him into my swim to maintain cordial relations!). He had the largest barbel at a smidge under seven pounds with only a couple of them under five. At one point we were both playing large fish at the same time in an inspired extreme fishing type moment! A fantastic day on our first visit to this stretch - we didn't want to go home. Thank you Wye and Usk.

Fished the top area of the beat, amongst kingfishers, ducks and squirrels all day.
Very enjoyable, despite the autumnal conditions.
Had to contend with extremely strong gusts of wind, (white-water waves blowing up-stream for most of the day - I was sure the calendar said July, not November!).
Very grateful for the tree-cover during the worst of the rain, but still got very wet landing three barbel before mid-day.

No sign of fish followed between mid-day and 6:30pm, coinciding with the usual mix of canoeists, some courteous, some less so.
Then hooked five fish between 6:30 and 8:00pm, three of which sped like steam trains into the weed – immense power that I could do nothing about.

So managed to winkle out 5 barbel in total, all caught on pellet –
7lb 1oz, 3lb 6oz, 5lb 4oz, 7lb 12oz and 7lb 4oz
All in good condition, except for a small number of Argulus Foliaceu (freshwater fish lice) on some fish (extra nurturing needed prior to release).

Stopped to watch a deer as I drove back to the main road – the last wildlife encounter of the day. Great to see.

Many thanks to everyone at the WUF - for the clearance work to create the swims, Alyson’s advice on the telephone, and the excellent directions.
1st class as usual.

Two of us fished from approximately 2pm to 8.30pm and managed to land 3 barbel between 8lb and 8lb 10oz and a chub of 3lb 8oz. All fish falling to legered meat or pellets.

A nice stretch of water and I will definitely fish again, although canoe traffic can be heavy at times.

Excellent advice provided on fishing Courtfield by Don and Rudi who couldn't have been more helpful which made fishing a previously unknown stretch of water much easier.

The river was low and carrying a lot of drifting weed, which can be frustrating in many of the swims, due to the fishery being largely on the outside of a long gradual bend.
The first fish came out of the blue at nearly 5 o'clock and we finished with 5 barbel to just over 8lb. (Four from one swim and one from another).

06.30 to 10.00am, large drilled halibut pellet on 8 hook, 12lb line, rolling ledger down main flow for 40yds whilst stood on lower end of island. Hand fed loose pellets until small chub moved in.
Fairly snag free in main flow (only!) over gravel. 2 chub to 3lb and then 2 barbel of 8lb and 9lb plus after very delicate bites. Great sport at long range in the current, lost 2 other barbel that went under weed, need to keep rod up. Boy did they go!
Tues late evening lost 1 mid sized salmon on weighted rappala, it rolled over the line, in main flow level with Old Quay and at dusk 3 chub to 3lb plus 1 barbel not quite 10lb on free lined halibut pellet and wading from bottom pool out to main flow.

Very disappointed with access, top section which reads very promising is virtually impossible to walk never mind carry the gear and fish, middle section also poor access, the stretch really needs some work.
However very pleased with the fishing 9 barbel to approx 8lbs, smallest around 5lbs and 3 very nice chub. All of the fish were in superb condition and were extremely strong
Enjoyed the day but wouldn't like to be in a party of 3 or 4, there are not the pegs to fish with "company".

Hot sunny day, arrived at 07:45. Lovely area but access to river limited in middle section. Fished pellet feeder and had a couple of early rod taps that were probably liners.
Picked up a couple of chub just after lunch but no barbel showing.
Lots of salmon jumping and birdlife to watch when the fishing was slow.

A very disappointing day only one chub caught between the two of us!!