Feedback & Reports

A challenging day, arrived at first light to find the river rising very slowly. But then began to fall around late morning. Caught the majority of the fish in the faster water. The river then began to rise again which added a foot of extra water from 4.30 to 7 when we decided to call it a day.

8 Barbel, 7 Chub

Arrived with high hopes after a red letter day here last year. Made the very arduous trek around and back into the woods to the magic spot by the big rock. But a river level about a foot up on last year made all the difference, or maybe it was the high pressure and sunlight. Whatever the cause the outcome was only a single barbel of 7 pounds in the woods in the afternoon and then a blank evening in the lower field. Never mind, we will be back.

1 Barbel

Another great day at Caradoc, the weather was perfect for a spot of touch ledgering in the shallows, all fish caught on pellets, thank you WUF for having this great beat on your books.

6 Barbel, 5 Chub

1 Trout

This was my first time on the Irfon and I must say this stretch of the river is utterly delightful – definitely in my top three! The river, with its rapids, islands, pools, and gutters, has plenty of visual appeal. But beware the river bed, which in parts is quite treacherous, indeed throughout the day I used my wading staff (almost) as often as I did my rod!
Due to the characteristics of this beat, I had to change my technique quite frequently. In places, a small beadhead was the perfect choice but less than a cast away a team of two was required in order to stand half a chance. It was all very challenging – but extremely rewarding. Despite the air being thick with fly life I saw only two rises all day.

Fished from 10:00 till 19:00. In total, I managed nine trout: smallest eight inches, largest about fourteen inches.

9 Trout

Nymphing (Czech/French). Fish mostly caught in fast moving water. River appears a little coloured but not much. What colour there was had passed by midday.

12 Trout

Nightmare!!! low flow and horrendous down stream wind killed all sport. Nothing rising and very small trout 6-9 inch bracket when wind dropped reacting to nymphs. Gave it an hour but the wind strengthened and that was that.

6 Trout

Had a couple of spare hours so took Tenkara rod to Court of Noke. I know this beat quite well and I struggled to access river. Nettles, balsam and brambles are now over head height. Can back with face and neck stung and scratched. A dozen Hereford bulls in field next to car parking space may be picturesque but do not make access to top pools easy. Have been shocked before so wary of mains electric fence down far bank that limit access down that side unless you are a limbo dancer.
Did get in a couple of places. Nothing rising - had one snatch and lost another fish after a few seconds on both on small grhe.
I won't bother with this beat again this season.

1 Salmon David Siviter 12LBS Fly; 1 Salmon David Oliver 12.1/2 LBS Fly.

2 Salmon

Yet another incredible days fishing at this beat. Lost count of the number of chub we had and caught numerous hard fight barbel with several edging close to the 10lb mark, though don't think any of them quite went into double figures. The small strength of river just below the fast water in the woods really is a cracking spot to spend the day fishing. Can't wait to come back!

15 Barbel, 30 Chub