Feedback & Reports

We fished one of the last swims to the right. The only swim that comfortably fitted 2 anglers. The river is deepest at that point and quite fast flowing.
It was an overcast day with some light rain now and then so conditions seemed perfect. We fished for 9 hours. We had an early 8lb barbel and a nice 3 1/2 lb chub. We had one more chub around the same size lunch time and then the river switched off! Nothing for the next 6 hours. It does appear that the fish like feeding early on this river. My advice would be make an early start and make the most of your morning. Also the banks are steep so wear some grippy shoes.

1 Barbel, 2 Chub

First time on this beat,only because the others were booked up, so glad they were, what a gem. On first impressions when we got there looking over bridge,water low, clear but a nice flow down the centre which seemed a couple of feet deeper.
With these conditions we thought, it's going to be difficult so scaled down to 8lb line instead of the usual 10 or 12 lb long hooklincks size 12 hooks. First cast 4lb barbel, same for Len, sun came out no bites for an hour, sun went in tried meat thru feeder and hook, chub after chub to 4.5lbs steady till 4.30 then dead, switched back to pellet about 5 and from then on till 8.30 it was like the dinner bell had gone off the barbel just kept coming,the biggest 7.5 lb the rest in the 5 to 6 mark. Looking at the conditions when we got there we thought we'd struggle. What was in our favour I think that for most of the day it was very warm and overcast. Shame we had to leave them feeding but with a long drive home we reluctantly had to pack up.
Lovely small beat, great for two anglers, car parked right next to river,we will be back,great day, thanks Wye and Usk

12 Barbel, 22 Chub

River had a bit of pace on it, we were using open end feeders with various flavour pellets, most fell to cheesy garlic. Had a fly fisherman enter the river from the opposite bank casting all the way, he had no regard for us fishing as long as he could get to where he wanted he was happy.
It was a very slow day but the best Chub was 4lb 4oz and the best Barbel was 8lb 7oz. We camped overnight at the Ross- on- Wye rowing club very cheap and had good showers.

2 Barbel, 3 Chub

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

Plenty of salmon jumping but nothing caught on spinner or fly except a couple of trout. Lovely beat though!

2 Trout

All 4 chub were caught using a halibut pellet hair rigged to a size 12 hook on a 3 foot hook length connected to a 3oz feeder on 15lb line. I used a 1.75lb test curve rod and a Shimano baitrunner reel. Fish sizes were 1 x 8oz and 3 x 3.5/4lb.
I had to move swims due to a large number of horses having a race on the gravel bank up stream of my swim which were followed by two ladies going for a swim 50m from from my swim.

4 Chub

After arriving after midday we decided to take a walk down the whole stretch. Firstly, parking in the orchard and walking up river to look at possible pegs on the No1 stretch. The upper parts of the stretch are somewhat overgrown and would prove difficult to fish without the use of waders. Saying that, the stretch did have some very promising looking runs.
We opted to get back in the van and drive down to the parking in the lane for the lower stretches. This stretch proved to be more to our angling needs. Plenty of pegs with good flow, pools and cover for daylight fishing. We decided to fish the lower stretch and covered most of the pegs available.
A pellet approach was used on both rods for the day. Opting to start cautiously with a 8mm pellet and PVA bag. This approach brought about instant success with two Barbel above the 9lb mark. The bottom pool producing the smaller of the days catches. Light lose feeding of pellet also brought about good results with the chub often being first on the bait.
In summary, a very good day in wonderful surroundings. A word of caution, the cattle in the field did get a little lively at times during the day so not for the faint hearted.

11 Barbel, 9 Chub

Slow going on a very hot Saturday morning, a few chub and eels showing. Late afternoon was better with barbel up to ten pound and chub to 3 or 4 pound. Sunday a few more chub and barbel but generally even slower than Saturday. There are supposedly 11 pegs on this beat but barely 6 or 7 are useable and if it rains probably only 4 or 5 because of the precipitous nature of the bank. Also car parking is now restricted and if you haven't got a 4 by 4 you'll have a heck of a job parking near the line of trees.

10 Barbel, 10 Chub, 8 Other

Fished all day until 20.30, pellet and groundbait feeder. Biggest barbel going 9lb 15oz

12 Barbel, 5 Chub

10 Trout