Feedback & Reports

The river was going down at 10-11" and, thankfully, still weather, or light winds at worst, prevailed. It was sunny all day as well but, with little wind, and sedges, midge and a few small olives/PWs for company off and on all day, the fish duly obliged in spite of high light levels. On arrival at 8 a.m. the fish were rising below and upstream of The New House itself and, as we savoured the scene, and hoped for a good day, an otter made its way up the river disturbing the fourteen goosanders that were cruising downstream. A good omen? As a salmon rolled just upstream of the Clettwr confluence, we started catching trout and grayling, some risers, some not. Rises continued intermittently until 5 p. m. when activity ceased and we drew stumps (long after those at the Trent Bridge recovery of the Ashes earlier in the day!). About 25% of the grayling caught were of 12 - 13" with the majority 8-10", and the best trout a couple of fish of 14". Still lots of liced trout and grayling. Fish were taken on hare's ear emergers, Grayling Steel Blue, Grizzle Elk Hair Caddis, and and a CDC and Elk caddis - the EH Caddis rose lots of non-rising fish during the afternoon, with several also missed or long-distance released! It was a lovely day in a lovely place with lots of kingfishers for company, with heron, tree-creeper, buzzard and kite adding to the fauna. Oh, and we also had the rather unusual appearance at Ty Newydd of the exceedingly rare "large bare-a**sed, beachmaster" on the far side, seen intermittently rolling in the river or sunning itself on the bank. Not a shy species at all, it seemed. Mankinis are just soooo naff, eh!! In spite of this rare sighting, Glyn fished on, undaunted, catching more of the undoubtedly, much more attractive "Ladies" of the Stream! A "cracking" day all round!

12 Trout, 44 Grayling

SG & SM from Swindon & Cirencester. Yet another great day on the Wye. This beat looks the part and without doubt, is the part. Beautiful stretch, well kept and very accessible.
That does not mean it's easy to get around. To get into the wooded area, it gave us both a bloody good workout. This however, was rewarded with some fantastic fishing. I don't remember ever seeing so many quality chub. Unfortunately, they were just out of reach and would not move up to us.
We both used groundbait and pellet feeders with elips pellets on the hook for SM, and garlic and hemp pellet on hook for SG, (who would of thought).
SG had 13 barbel at the top of the lucky stone croy. SM had 6 barbel just below the lucky stone croy, then moved to top field and had another 6 on the top croy.
We both loved Fownhope 5 and will most definitely be back.
Very warm sunny day that seem to bring out every canoe on the Wye. We had a few parties of blokes coming down, obviously tanked up. These fine gentlemen totally dissregarded our position on the river and just spread themselves right across the river. I saw 3 gents during the day, standing up in the boats, urinating, oblivious to any other persons. We all pay for the right to use this beautiful place only to be ruined by the few who don't care. I watched as one of these gents just emptied his litter into the river. Crisp bag and beers cans, once again, he was another one oblivious to my calls to stop. To be honest, I did note that the red boats were letting most of the idiots in them. Someone will get physically hurt soon if this does not get better control. Children and families will see what I saw today and I don't believe that is right. The Wye should be used, not abused. I love to canoe aswell, but these people should not be allowed. More control needed from these companies rather than just take any idiots money.
We still had a great day as usual, so a big thanks to the W&U again. See you soon, SM.

25 Barbel, 15 Chub

Methods used: wet & dry fly. River conditions: river mid level. Some trout moving but only one take.

Arrived to bright, hot conditions at a very easily accesible section. Took a while to walk the stretch and easily find all the cut out swims. Opted to fish the upper part of the beat close to shed, deeper water under your rod tips here. Conditions weren't favourable for barbell but as always with the Wye valley, who cares!! Finished the day with 3 barbel and 3 chub, all on meat. Will be back to explore more beats very soon. Thanku WUF.

3 Barbel, 3 Chub, 1 Other

Despite low level and sunny weather, my son, who was guesting with me, managed a hen fish of around 13lb from the Heirag on a red and black flying 'c'. As an added bonus we caught 8 good trout to 1lb plus. Great day for both of us.

1 Salmon, 8 Trout

Very warm bright day, began just after midday, started at the lower end of the beat, small little riffle and pool with some deepish flowing water. Spotted some rises and immediately got into an 8" and 13" using a DF spider pattern. That was it for the next few hundred yards as the river widens and becomes very shallow and slow. Saw a few fish but very spooky. Further up found some nice riffles and pools and a few fish were rising again. I then caught on 4 fish, the smallest fish i have ever caught, 1.5 - 3" !! on a black size 18 MF nymph. Further along under some shade there were a few more rises but I was only able to catch another 8" fish on black parachute and that was it for the day.
1st time on a river in Wales and what a fantastic day, looking forward to the Wye tomorrow.

7 Trout

Not as many out fishing as I thought there would be considering the good weather forecast sun shining and a little breeze made for a lovely day. Then again I guess there were some who gave up a dsys fishing in anticipation of watching Wales play Ireland in the first warm up match of their world cup build up but after 20 mins or so of the match I bet they had had wished they had packed a lunch, made a flask or two of tea and headed to the res for a peaceful day stalking the trout. Caught 4 on ledger but there were fish showing on the top and were also taking the spinner as the guy to my right proved. Staff on top form as usual made for a good day out.

4 Trout

New stretch for me today and although a short beat it has some interesting swims with easy access. The river was low and the weather very hot but managed to catch a good barbel and a nice chub on pellets in a very short morning session. Once again a big thank you to W.U.F for making the last two days possible.

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

Quiet couple of hours early morning. Water levels very low and crystal clear. 3 trout on small nyhmps. beautiful setting.

3 Trout

Unfortunately I caught no fish but this, I'm guessing, is a lot more to do with my experience (or lack of) than a lack of trout. Fishing mostly New Zealand style with weighted hairs ears on the point and a klink as the dry. I'll definitely be back for another go at those pesky trout.
Thanks for an amazing experience in such a beautiful place.