Feedback & Reports

Just back from 7 days fishing. Having fished W&U waters on previous visits we decided to try two fisheries that we had not fished before. I chose Sugwas Court.
The first thing to point out were the poor conditions and low catches reported by various bailiffs throughout the lower Wye. Low water levels, clear water, cold easterly winds, high pressure, and low overnight temperatures. Not conducive to prolific catches and certainly no reflection on the venue.
I drove through the orchard and parked next to the river. Walking upstream we met the land owner (not a fisherman) who informed us that the area above the Bait Pool was heavily overgrown and had no open swims. We walked the beat and can confirm his observations. In reality only the Bait Pool is fishable; however waders are required to reach the exposed gravel bar and the fast flowing channel. A word of WARNING...the mud where the cattle come down to drink is very deep.
We then drove to the lower end of the fishery and walked the whole beat. There are more swims in this area but the very low water level limited the choice. The swims in the Mill, Pump, and Island Pools have fairly easy access but unfortunately, due to overhead growth forming a canopy over the swims, casting was difficult. This is evident by the number of feeders decorating the branches. A real shame especially as a couple of hours with long handled loppers would open up these swims.
Despite employing the knowledge gained by many years of Barbel fishing, various fishing methods, and a variety of baits we came away with dry nets.
Looking forward to the next trip to the Wye and praying for some long overdue rain.

Tough going today despite the sunshine....fish were very wary and few were rising. The river is very low. 6 small trout on a variety of size 18 dries. 14" Grayling on a weighted Killer Bug variant. Lots of handsome Dragonflies on the water.

6 Trout, 1 Grayling

18.45hrs. Bridge Pool,Glan yr Afon. 9lbs coloured hen. 10# Long tailed thunder, slow retrieve. 7" our gauge; 1' Llanstephan.

1 Salmon

Didn't quite make it for a salmon (although I learned from other rods this beat had three yesterday). Instead, a nodding acquaintance handshake by Botcher's Rock and a fish lost after a couple of minutes in Camp Run. Both these early in the day. At this water level (0.58 at Lydbrook), there is a huge amount of fly water available once the suspension bridge is crossed - from Slaughter Crib right round the corner and well on the way to Seven Sisters Rocks are a succession of accessible pools. A glorious autumn day after a chilly and misty start. I fished the owner's rod, for which many thanks.

First time salmon fishing enjoyed the day, but nothing showed, not sure if I was doing it right to be honest.

Fished a couple of hours in the sun this afternoon.
Two Grayling to a Red tag nymph in deep pools.

2 Grayling

A really nice day, water seemed very good, my first go fishing for grayling, banks very overgrown, struggled to get to water in lots of places, will try again, lost small trout, and grayling

2 Trout, 5 Grayling

Sunny day, and lovely looking place. My first visit.
River was pretty settled and only a little colour to it. Salmon were jumping fairly regularly. Lots of swans, and the Canada geese came in in the afternoon.
Fishing Pellet, with feeder (bolt) / pva bags. Tried 8lb mono as well as 10lb braid for pellet, tried long and short leaders. Also tried 5lb mono for maggot and corn. Tried plain luncheon meat, corn (singles and multiples), maggot (and corn cocktail), even tried cheese. Tried breaking up the larger hook pellets into smaller pieces, even gluing smaller pellets to a piece of cork to make a sausage for hair rig.
Tried recasting the feeder every 10 mins, every 20 mins.
Fished for a couple of hours in each of about four swims moving upstream from the hut. Several of the swims were quite snaggy.
Had two or three bites (mainly morning at sunrise and night just before sunset), plenty of line bites through the day, but no fish. Two minnows came in, one foul hooked and the other stuck in my feeder.. greedy beggar!
Given that there were only two rods available to book, I didn't understand why there were 5 people on the beat through the day.

Really good spot we all enjoyed the tranquility and the environment, tried many different baits and methods but could not coax a Barbel on to the line! consolation of 2 chub each to 2 to 3lb each angler catching on different baits, 10mm pellet, meat or sweetcorn. There were some large Salmon jumping in a couple of our swims.

6 Chub