Feedback & Reports

Intermediation course at Gliffaes. Lots of rain lead us up the system in search of clear water. We found it.

17 Trout

Managed a couple of hours mid morning before the height got too much. First time out for salmon this year, hopefully not the last.

I've been keeping an eye on other anglers' comments on this beat, one of all time favourites, to see if the trout were still being caught in the recent almost drought-like conditions. I was pleasantly surprised to see that trout were still being caught, despite descriptions of the water being extremely low. And with rain falling all day Monday just gone and more yesterday, I thought it must be worth my annual visit to Longtown. And it proved a good decision! Hatching cast my vote it was off to the beat in intermittently heavy downpours, but I didn't mind, the more rain the better!
The river is still quite low, but definitely up on where it has been, and I started in the pool at the top of the beat where the Ecsley Brook meets the Monnow. A couple of small fish were rising as I arrived, moving as quietly as I could, I set up with a Grey Wulff and caught two in this deep, dark pool, both around 7 inches and fin perfect.

I then headed downstream and arrived ago the large pool with the big tree in the middle of it. Again, I cast out the Wulff and caught two more! One either side of the tree. One was around 8 inches, and the fourth was best till last - probably 12 inches and treated me to a leap before haring around the pool! By now it was around 5.30 pm and I felt a pint calling. I popped into the Bridge Inn at Michaelchurch Escley, which is as lovely as everyone says - give it a go! Great beer garden overlooking the brook, tempting you back!!

4 Trout

Despite the weather I had 3 hours on the river in the afternoon. River is only slightly colored and in the first pools trout were rising to mayflies. Biggest trout was around 11". Best pattern was a simple mayfly imitation fished in the surface.

11 Trout

Not been to this beat before, but water still appeared high after the recent rain and was very coloured. High water level and some very wet steep banks made access difficult. The access path on the left bank especially has become very overgrown and difficult to use. Tried a variety of flies at various depths but no success.

River in flood. Not able to fish even from the banks.

the day was a wash off

8 Trout