Feedback & Reports

A bright day with cool downstream breeze could not dampen the enthusiasm of being out to play at last after the longest close season in living memory. River was a perfect colour. The electronic Natural Resources Wales gauge was indicating 1.10 m although the robust physical one at the foot of the steps was indicating just under 1.0 m on arrival which appeared a more accurate representation for those of us familiar with the beat. This 10 cm discrepancy could put people off on what was an eminently fishable day and wadeable with care. Close season bank work on Upper Rock has improved accessibility and it was possible for us to wade from the top of the beat almost to the Chine on lovely fly water. At this height there is also a good flow below the bridge by the pub and just upstream of the cables. Felt I was going to get a take with every cast.. Intermittent hatch of Grannom from 12 till 2 and just 1 or 2 LDO’s could not tempt even trout to show. Still a lovely day in great company.

Wind had dropped somewhat from previous day but was still strong enough to make casting upstream quite difficult. I think overnight rain had also made river colder (or at least seemed so when wading!). All fish caught on nymphs using both duo and French Leader. We saw one large trout taking occasional olives and although tempted by the fly, it came off quite quickly.

8 Trout

4 Trout

Great days fishing - lovely water - but nothing caught today

Cold ds wind. Sporadic hatch of MB between 1-2pm. Few nice fish on dries and nymps

4 Trout

3 Trout

Very quiet, one hatch over quickly

Washed off.

The morning session was unproductive in the complete absence of fly, rises and any interest in my various nymph offerings. With a blank looking increasingly on the cards I noticed a dimple in some slack water on the opposite bank. Then another. And another. Two fish feeding quietly and efficiently on a trickle hatch of LDO. No more than 2-3 seconds of drag free drift. By some miracle I caught them both in Comparadun, beautiful hard fighting fish of 16” and 15”. A 12”er followed a little later further upstream. A lovely afternoon in the most picturesque setting.

3 Trout

4 Trout