Feedback & Reports

We each tried a couple of swims throughout the stretch and caught from each one fished. Best barbel was estimated at 8.08 and the biggest chub was weighted at 4.15. Our usual feeder tactics trying different baits was the method used.

14 Barbel, 13 Chub

2 Barbel

Nothing caught this time.

13 barbel caught throughout the day, between 1lb-8lb. River flowing fast and clear but levels up compared to more recent conditions. Great little beat to fish.

13 Barbel, 2 Chub, 1 Other

1 Barbel

Upper Bigsweir is a glorious beat and a very pretty stretch of the river. I would agree with your beat notes that the top part of the beat is excellent fly water and that the lower part is probably better suited to spinning. Wading was easy/straightforward.
Although I caught no fish (although something - a trout probably- tugged at my small dark salmon fly) I saw three salmon move: one on the far side in the middle of Ash Tree, one in mid-stream opposite the sign 'Ash Tree/Triangles' and one in the distance further downstream probably in Crescent. There were also a few trout moving.
The weather was warm and cloudy with a little sunshine in the afternoon and a few drops of rain.
A most enjoyable day's fishing despite the lack of fish and I shall definitely be back next season (when spinning is still permitted!). Thank you.

2 Barbel, 3 Chub

Very pleasant short session (3pm until dusk) on a lightly fished beat. The upstream end is really not worth bothering with as there are no fishable swims. But there are 3 or 4 reasonable but challenging swims in the bottom field. Tried two of them and the very bottom one produced a barbel of about 7 lb. I suspect this is a beat that fishes better in higher water conditions.

1 Barbel

Bright sunny day but had 2 good Barbel from the deeper water, and then an otter dancing through the swim that killed the action

2 Barbel