Feedback & Reports

My first time river fishing in many years and also first time on this beat. Started at 6.30pm and took my 8ft6in #5 which felt just right. Used AI to seek advice on best flies to use in early Summer on the Monnow, so was expecting to start with PTL and Hare's Ear nymphs. No luck or interest from fish in either of these and things just seemed very slow as the temperature was dropping fast from the heatwave of recent days. At about 8.30pm fish started rising I bagged a nice 1/2lb brown on a small, green Clinkhammer. Very exciting as the lighted started fading and the fish were rising from the deeper pools, of which there are many in the lower half of the beat.

p.s. I would love to see more of the catch comments including details of exactly how fishermen caught the fish and what flies. I am so out of practice and keen to pick up great tips, but often don't get those insights from reports. Thanks!

1 Trout

Not ideal conditions with the sun and low water but I take my days off when I get them. Still a lovely 3 hours enjoying the river. Very little sign of fish but I managed a fighting grayling on a small black gnat type fly. Caught in the deep pool down toward the end of the beat.
On a separate note, It would be great if there was an advice type platform for the passport beats, somewhere anglers can get tips and discuss river techniques etc. I am a beginner fly river angler and on this catch return there’s no option to ask questions or reach out to discuss river fly matters. Some anglers simply state fish caught not even the fly. I thank those who do mention more about their fishing and I accept that it isnt a requirement of the returns, my catch rate is very low and I only get to fish 2/3 times a season. My issue no one else’s. Even the Instagram site isn’t very helpful. Any changes coming ????? Thanks for reading.

Fishing Passport Note : The Fly Fishing Forum may be the place to set up a discussion? https://www.flyfishing.co.uk

1 Grayling

one on small fibrax spinner one on worm

2 Trout

Another beautiful day on the River Wye. Enjoyed not only by fishermen but by numerous canoeists, swimmers, picnickers and sunbathers! We did fish through the middle of the day but surprised on how busy the river was for a midweek date!
Surprisingly the chub were obliging all day with one solitary Barbel. River very low and warm could really do with some rain in the next week or so.

Great days fishing on a lovely stretch of water thank you WAU.

1 Barbel, 20 Chub

Limited swim access, river low and mostswims overgrown with nettles etc. Really only 5 swims available and there was 4 fishing. One of the 5 swims was running to shallow and full of rocks so not really fishable for course anglers. I ended up fishing the water works swim, but again access very difficult having to clamber down 3 levels to get to the river, then no flat ground to sit comfortably.

Lots of eels, 3 caught one of which was very large, but they attacked the baits all the time, snapping line. Only bread bait was safe to use.

1 Barbel, 4 Chub, 3 Other

7 Trout

Didn’t fish. Decided against it due to forecast water heat and injured knee situation and reports of poor access/ dog spike being required. however despite giving 72hrs notice a refund was declined by the office. Be warned - absolutely no discretion given not even a credit note. Very poor customer service.

Fishing Passport Note : The terms of letting are clear and something you had agreed to at the time of booking. There are two options if you decide not to fish.

Re-booking of fishing is possible but only for the same beat for which the original booking was made and at least 10 days in advance of the original booking. Re-bookings will be subject to a £7.00 charge per beat and must be used within the same calendar year.

If you have made a booking and are unable to fish you can also ask the Fishing Passport Office to re-let the ticket(s). Unlike re-bookings, there are no time limits on when you can request this facility and if we are successful, you will receive a refund for your booking minus whatever booking fee applied.

One nice sized rainbow on a spinner

1 Trout

1 Barbel, 32 Chub

Much better day at UHC. Conditions great although water level very low. Fished feeder and trotted both upstream and downstream sections

5 Barbel, 3 Chub