Feedback & Reports

5 Trout

I and another Wild Stream Permit holder (P.D.) spent a couple of hours on this beat starting around noon. We both drew a blank although I had a number of refusals using a deer hair sedge pattern. The beat is very fishable following the winter stream clearing but it is probably a little too early for the beat to start working.

9 1/2 ins on bridge guage. Still gin clear but no fish seen. Did see two swans doing their courting dance and one happy otter.

A glorious day. The fish didn’t co-operate but nature did. A terrific beat: good directions, pools well signposted; plenty of benches. All round a well kept beat that’s a pleasure to fish. Thank you WUF. Very slippery underfoot so a wading stick is a must. PJ. London.

1 Trout

River in good condition, weather fine with upwing flies of all sizes including the odd mayfly. Very few fish rising. Four small trout to hares ears patterns.

4 Trout

Some mayfly hatching in late afternoon. Two grayling caught and released on spider and nymph. I only saw two rising fish and caught one, a brown trout on a grey wulf. Another brown trout caught on pearl spider. All released.

2 Trout, 2 Grayling

A beautiful day on Holme Lacy 3 with the river in good condition and the beat immaculate thanks to Colin's hard work. The only thing missing were salmon; no fish seen and none caught! Colin's theory is that the spring fish went through on the high waters of March and April and the back up fish have not yet arrived. Disappointing in fishing terms but a great day out in a wonderful location.

This was my first time on this beat, and I only fished the lower right bank section. 11.30 - 14.30hrs. Good conditions, but it felt like early, rather than mid May. There were enough medium olives (but very few real mouthfuls of the larger size) to interest the occasional steady feeding trout. Sufficient for a dry fly only approach, and a size 18 rough olive was taken by 5 fish, three of which stayed put. The largest was a whopper of 15" from the pool with a garden bench. It struck me afterwards that she might well have been a "pet" fed by the householders. The others were both 10" or thereabouts, and all swam off happily after their adventure.
I explored the upper section briefly. Safe access to it - even in full breast waders - is unclear if you are not going to trespass on the left bank. And my progress was keenly observed by people from the left bank grounds. So I took the public footpath up behind the house and gardens at the start of the beat and that brought me to a few meters away from the short double bank section, and thus down into the river. There appeared to be more fly life up near the top end.
A most delightful little expedition, which I greatly enjoyed.

3 Trout

Tough day! River was low and clear. There was the odd fish rising (during the 7 hour session) but not interested in our offerings with hardly any fish disturbed as we waded virtually the whole beat. Apart from the fishing it was a good day, dry and bright day in spectacular countryside

6 Trout