Feedback & Reports

The loss of Boy's Rocks is very sad, especially as one can still be annoyed by the Vaga cottage dogs' incessant barking when a walker passes from anywhere within half a mile!
Canoes were frequent but polite and the river was running slightly coloured. Having arrived at about 11 am we were too late for the barbels' morning feed and had to wait until about 6pm for a fish, all of which were in long and lean condition after spawning. All fish fell to double pellet, including a pretty large eel, fished in the fastest water we could find.
Lost a fair amount of tackle in the heavy weed / rocks and found parking near the bridge trickier than normal due to the huge pile of rubbish some scumbag has dumped.

4 Barbel, 2 Chub, 1 Other

Unfortunately no fish caught. However I was disappointed to see so much rubbish just left on the bank. We tried two fishing spots both were littered. Maybe more bins to try and encourage people to dispose of their litter responsibly.

No fish caught.

Fantastic beat offering a huge amount of fishing. We fished from 11 - 7pm and only accessed half the beat. Water was a bit brown after all the recent rain + showers throughout the day. Most fish taken on nymphs with the occasional spider. Some decent sized brown trout (biggest 1.5 lbs.) as well as some smaller fish, all returned.

8 Trout

6 Chub, 7 Other

Another fantastic day at Fownhope 5. Heavy rain throughout the day did not dampen our spirits or the fish. River was rising by a good foot at the end. SG and SM made the arduous trek over the hill and braved the woods but were rewarded with a fantastic catch. SG fishing from the large rock having 18 barbel best 10.7lb and 29 chub biggest just under 5lb. SM fished just downstream and had the chub catch of his life with 45 chub and 3 barbel. MH found his fish mainly on the first field and ended the day with 10 barbel and 22 chub.
Majority of the fish came to pellet tactics with red being the best colour - must have been something to do with cherries dropping into the river in the woods!!
Thankyou Wye and Usk for allowing us to fish this fantastic beat.

31 Barbel, 96 Chub

First time at Courtfield and had high hopes for this venue after reading some of the reports. The fish were hard to find despite the nice conditions and after trying hard all day at a variety of swims we ended up with 3 barbel and a few chub. There were two other anglers there who had little to show.
A couple of points to note for other anglers who have not been here before:
Despite a few areas having been strimmed the number of "safe" swims were limited and after the heavy showers we experienced, proved seriously dangerous. It would not hurt to have some small flat areas made without damaging the natural environment.
The canoe situation was absolutely ridiculous with a continual procession all day from 9.00 until heavy rain at 17.00 brought an end to the spectacle. We had wild hen parties, stag do's, pirates chinese tourists all ploughing through the swims in and out of their canoes. The fish are probably used to it but we were not, so will not choose this venue again at a weekend.

3 Barbel

Access good. Well defined swims. Fairly shallow stretch. Got rained off by thunderstorms so didn't give the fishery enough time to do it full justice.

I took my dad fishing for his Birthday. We tested out a new one handed reel (required following a stroke). The platforms were in good condition which enabled him to fish a weighted fly and a wet down and across from a chair. Walk down the bank was possible with a bit of support. Result = Two small wild brown. First non still water fish post stroke. Thanks.

2 Trout

Good day of fishing, level low and clear, bit windy, little surface activity. Most of fish we had on wet fly in fast water. Very nice grayling, up to 16inch, strong and hard fighting fish.
Access to the river fairly easy, only car park need to be sorted, I would suggest to park at the cafe car park if possible.

8 Trout, 8 Grayling