Feedback & Reports

The day started dull and windy and brightened up but got windier. There was a lot of vegetation and branches being blown into the river. Things were very quiet to start with, nothing rising and only the odd fly on the water, but there was a mixed hatch from about 2 pm, mainly large mayfly. Although only the odd trout rose, there was more activity. I caught 3, missed about another 3 and saw about 8 fish rise all day. I retained 2 good trout, 14 and 11oz. Very enjoyable.

3 Trout

Good days fishing The wind was a major problem but I did manage to catch 3 trout and lost one fish just before netting. the fish were taking mayflies but I could not get them to rise to the mayflies I had. dry fly proved to be the most successful.

3 Trout

Short version: I was blown off the river. The wind was just too strong. Longer version: Arrived at 10.30 and there were already hatches trickling off (olives and a few mayfly). But not a single rise all day. I tried all - nymphs, emergers, dries - but no luck all day. And frankly, casting in that wind was nearly impossible. But its a beautiful beat. Another time...

After (what seems) like weeks of hot dry weather today was overcast, and there was one hell of a wind, which made casting almost impossible in many places. Had to go with the nymph/Klinkhammer combo, just to be able to get anywhere. A beautiful spot, but the river was low, with only a few really fishable areas. The evidence of the winter we have just had was clear to see. Plenty of big trees down and big exposed gravel banks. I was hoping to fish until dusk, but the wind made me change my plans. Fished from 10.30-6'ish. Five beautiful WBT, one about 6", the rest in the 8-10" region.

5 Trout

Bright and very windy. Got stuck into a few fish and a oos chub.

4 Trout, 1 Chub

decided not to go due low water

5 x trout 6-10 inches, Monnow Gosling. The day was hot and the river very low and clear, but this beat was strangely quiet. Very few fish rising although the odd mayfly was about.+

5 Trout

River very low now and very clear, not many pools left of any real depth, found a good one upstream and had 2 beautiful browns out of it. Had lots of interest from some of the smaller ones using nymphs.

2 Trout

Overall an extremely nice day out at Hergest. 5 lovely brownies very much widely ranging in size, couple of larger lumps from deep riffle sections. The usual unintended early releases and missed takes alongside. Although some early rises saw a couple on dries they soon retreated under the glaring sun (I really must get up earlier) so the rest were taken on a pheasant tail nymph.

Lovely part of the World, had a nice chat with the owner of Hergest court when met on the walk back along the road, he mentioned some new fencing on the horizon. On that note I definitely agree with JA from Leominster that this beat needs some clearance work as it is difficult to cover many promising lies (as it is now it appears more as a wild stream beat). That aside, a great spot.
Thanks again

5 Trout

All small fish caught on a light Cahill on beat 3.

Had to finish early as cattle appeared in the field where the Old Court Stable Block is located and where my car was parked. It would be great if the Estate could gate off this area or at least let anglers know they are around - there was no sight of them when I arrived.

The stile for accessing the river bank just upstream of the stable block by the oak tree has a wasps nest in the boxed section at the top. They were not impressed when I tried to climb over it! I've dropped the fishery contact a note telling him.

The beats that make up this fishery are really lovely - and no canoes!! I saw some really sizeable Chubb and trout. And there was a very lively Salmon splashing around the top of beat 3!

3 Trout, 1 Chub