Feedback & Reports

It feels quite an achievement just to get to and then make one’s way up this beat and that is what most of my effort was spent doing, though again still a good way short of the upstream limit. There was more timber fallen down and across today’s somewhat shrunken stream than I’ve previously seen, so a fair amount of clambering needed in places, not entirely without risk and bedrock like ice despite well-studded boots. Nevertheless it remains a magical place to while away a bright summer’s day. Just one trout to a gold beaded nymph at the head of a pool in the absence of any surface activity.

1 Trout

I absolutely love this beat, but the directions desperately need updating. The white posts leading to the start of the beat haven't existed in over a decade and the path is now so overgrown and blocked with fallen trees that, had I not been before, I think I'd have given up. As it was, it's been about 3 years and it felt much harder - I had to slide/fall down a shallower bit of escarpment as the path finally disappeared into a thicket. It took 30 mins to get to the start.
A lot of people won't be able to make the route in (or won't want to risk tearing their waders) and the fishing itself requires a bit more clambering and some hands and knees approaches. Better to make that clear in the instructions then risk people being disappointed and annoyed.

After this prolonged dry spell I was hoping the previous two days of steady rain would pick things up. The Clettwr was still lower than I've ever seen it before so many of the runs and pools I have fond memories of were just too shallow. There wasn't a huge amount rising, which is unusual in my experience here, but there were fish congregating in the deeper pools and feeding a little on the surface.
I fished from 1300-1530 and came out at the half way point at the old mill, taking the footpath out of the valley and back to the car.

I fished a small PTN under an olive emerger, casting to the deep runs and anywhere I saw a rise. The nymph was hit regularly wherever fish could be seen moving but there was only one rise to the olive - there was an eruption as soon as the fly hit the churning water just below a small fall, I saw a silver flash and something pulled very hard for about 4 seconds before the end of my new silk furled leader snapped at the tippet ring. I was pretty upset, as you might imagine...

5 fish to hand on the nymph, all of a good size in good condition, largest about 10". Every one of them went like a rocket with plenty of leaping and head shaking - another 4 were lost after a short period of jumping about. The only thought at the back of my mind was that everything I hooked today was big. There are always good fish here but usually plenty in the 6" and below category too - I hope this isn't a sign of problems with juvenile fish coming through.

The pool where the two smaller streams cascade into the Clettwr, just below the old mill, was, as ever, the most productive part. Only thigh deep rather than chest deep this time, there were still around ten trout rolling and bubbling. About half of then must have hit the nymph and the second one that stayed on went tearing around the pool so much that, once I'd released him, everything else had been spooked and gone into cover.

It was an excellent day and I really do think this is the best beat I've ever fished in the UK. If you can manage the scramble in and some slow, stealthy approaches, then this really is worth visiting.

5 Trout

Hard day, river low and clear

An absolutely lovely and very tough section to fish. I didn't see a lot of fish, despite some insect hatches, particularly midges and winkled out a few lovely and pretty brownies from secluded spots. All in all I enjoyed it and would likely revisit. Sadly, however, the beat information is dangerously out of date/ and / or inaccurate. I never found any beat markers, or "White posts" to follow down into the gorge to the beat start. I never found any start or end markers, despite actually managing to finish exactly at the Felindre Farm. I passed two foot bridges, which don't merit a mention on the map or description. This is a remote beat and strenuous to negotiate, having never been on this water previously it was somewhat nerve wracking to be unsure where the start was, where the end was, or indeed if I might ever get out of the gorge. I loved the place, but the beat information is dangerous. I am used to "winging it" in more risky situations than this, but all in all, the beat information and the markers do need to be updated for the enjoyment and safety of other anglers. In the end I had a pleasant day, caught a few fish and deciding that "discretion is the better part of valor", I walked back to Erwood along the road, rather than risk the gorge. As said, I thought a lovely, if physically challenging beat, but the map and beat information really do need to be updated.

3 Trout

Bright sunny day, water below 1’ of the Llanstephan gauge. 3 fish hooked - none to the net. A frustrating day.

A challenging beat that lives up to its description - lots of scrambling over and under fallen trees and up the brook. Was unable to locate any beat markers (white posts in the description) so went by a map estimate.

The weather forecast was sunny and hot. No problem, I’m far too cunning to let that stop me.; The Clettwr gorge will be lovely and shady and it’ll be nice and cool down there.
At this point in August the sun shines directly into The Clettwr gorge all afternoon and early evening. It reflects off the surface of the beautiful, clear stream and burns your retinas clean out. It’s too bright for the trout so they hide. But I did find the odd shaded pool, and I caught a few of the lovely fish that live there. I don’t keep records, but I think one of them may have been my best fish from this wonderful little river.

4 Trout

Survived the assault course. Mainly nymphing up to footbridge. Water at good height & clear. Not a fin seen, but dippers were busy & bluebells out.

First visit here. Despite a little overnight rain the stream seemed very low, and the fish remained extraordinarly well hidden all day. The stunning scenery in the gorge was a considerable compensation, and the route out at the top of the beat is
recomended, despite the distances invloved: on the way down the lane you come to appreciate just how far and how high you have stumbled up the river bed!

Very poor access

3 Trout

Hoped for a little more water from yesterday's rain. If there was any it wasn't much. Some fly and a couple of good fish seen in one of deeper pools. Only two rising fish spotted, one of which was put down by a crash-landing mallard and the other by an inept cast. Nevertheless a great escape from civilisation for a few hours.