Feedback & Reports

No surface activity on arrival and nymphs were ignored by all but two out of season brownies. One to hand at about a pound. Another self releasing mid air. From late mid morning there was a steady trickle of flies coming off and occasional rises. Grayling measured to 15 1/2 inches were taken on dries mainly and spiders (3) largely from the middle parts of turbulent pools. Despite the afternoon warmth takes dried up after 4.30 although rises continued on the flat water from tiny fish taking smuts. Another sizeable brown obliged but was lost as he swung downstream.
Another enjoyable day. Greeted by red kites wheeling low over the river, spotting bats on the drive home, not another soul seen all day; just what fishing should be about.

1 Trout, 15 Grayling

An interesting day! Fished continental nymph style taking fish every now and again but without ever really getting into the fish. Maybe the grayling haven't shoaled up yet. Shared the beat with two other very nice chaps, one of whom spent an interesting few minutes playing a salmon on his grayling rod!

2 Trout, 4 Grayling, 4 Other

It has become difficult in recent years. Instead of Autumn arriving fairly reliably, Summer goes on a while longer. Whilst Autumn is more in evidence this year, water isn't. It seems to go from tomato soup and rather deep and fast to nearly nothing. Today it was low and dropping fast with no rain forecast for another week at least; in other words, maybe by the end of the season. I wonder if the season could be extended by a week or maybe to 31st October....
A few salmon were showing and I did hook one. I thought I'd hooked a rockand pulled the line. The 'rock' shook violently and swam off!
I also saw a poacher. I ha phoned NRW who were just about useless. I've written about this to the WUF too.

Fished visit to Abernant with the level at approx 1'6". Fished through Lady Alexanders catch a few times but other than a few trout, one of which must have been close to two pounds, I didn't see any salmon. Moved up to the top of the beat at lunch time and caught a 4lb grilse just starting to colour on a 1 inch cascade tube in the Edw pool. Lost a slightly larger fish 20 minute later.

1 Salmon, 4 Trout

River was too high to fish the dry fly (always my preferred method) had a very enjoyable day nymphing.

1 Trout

River level on the way down. A warm, partly sunny day. We struggled in the early part of the day but eventually found a few barbel later on. Fished from 9am till 7pm.

4 Barbel, 1 Chub

Lovely day, fish showing. I will be back

River looked perfect with a bit of flow, colour and weather conditions warm-ish. This is a relatively small fishery with a handful of swims so I set up in one that looked comfy... Barbel fed throughout the day and I finished up with 8 barbel that included two in the low 10lbs, one around 9lb and the rest 6-8lb. Feeder and pellet again doing the business.

8 Barbel, 1 Chub

Fishing with guide who had booked the beat (Illtyd Griffiths). One salmon about 10 1/2 lbs from the Ferry Pool, taken on an Usk Grub. This was my first salmon! River still at good height, dropping after rain the previous weekend.

1 Salmon

Second day on this stretch and like the previous day I was the only rod on the river. Bliss. Similar tactics to the day before, bait dropping pellets and hemp and then fishing swims in rotation.
Caught a quality Barbel of 8lb at midday close to boathouse then followed this up with 2 more Barbel and a nice Chub early evening. All fish were in great condition and the stretch really in a cracker. The walk is a bit of hike so scale down your tackle, or ask the farmer for a lift - I believe he offers a taxi service. A fantastic stretch overall and definitely worth the walk!

3 Barbel, 1 Chub