Feedback & Reports

I was stitched up by the weather forecasters today. When I booked this trip the forecast was for cloud spreading down from the north and temperatures above freezing. When I arrived the car temp gauge was reading -6 without a cloud in the sky. I arrived about 9:30 and as I had never fished here before, I decided to walk the beat first in the hope that temperatures would rise during the day. I probably made it about halfway up the beat before returning to the car for sustenance. I made the trotting rod up anyway and headed back to the river, more in hope than anticipation. Starting about 11:30 just up from the church the line was still freezing in the rings and the river looked lifeless and the float failed to submerge. I carried on upstream looking for some pacier water which I found about 100 yards or so above the wier. After a few trots down, I managed to find a good line which took the float down through the turbulent water into the steadier water towards the far bank. The float went under and a strike was met with resistance which then started to thump back. Thinking this was going to be my only chance of the day I played the fish very, very carefully until a lovely looking Grayling came into view. Apologies to the game fishermen but I measure my fish by weight rather than length and this one tipped the scales at 1lb 10ozs. I carried on fishing this pool and caught 3 more Graying of a similar size and one tiddler about 8ozs. The trout then showed up and 3 were caught and released in the water before it then went quiet. With the sun dropping behind the hills I called it a day feeling rather chuffed that a very unpromising day yielded some satisfying large Grayling.

5 Grayling

very cold frosty day, nothing caught.

Beautiful beat, well maintained and perfect for a grayling day. River looked to be flushed through following last week's rain and was very clear. Wading here is mixed with some impossibly deep pools and slippery bedrock, but it's possible to get a line to plenty of good looking spots. Managed 16 grayling, best was 19", and 3 trout. Most fell to a pink shrimp or ptn red tag. There was a hatch around mid-day and for half an hour grayling were rising all over the pool and I took 8 on the same olive emerger pattern.
Struggled a bit with cold hands and feet today and needed to take frequent breaks to thaw out, but well worth it.

3 Trout, 16 Grayling

River higher and colder than earlier in the month. Nil return

Fished the left bank, the river was fairly high and fast with the water reaching the bottom step of the swim i chose. I decided a 40z inline leger would do the trick and soon discovered the Wye in flood is a force to be reckoned with. I found a large eddy and offered up meat, boillies and pellets, all to no avail and returned home after 6 hours suitably chastened.

Fine day on the river, levels were a bit lower than we would of liked. Long trotting accounted for 15 Grayling and 20 trout, ranging for 5" to 17".

20 Trout, 15 Grayling

Very well looked after Fishery. All pools clearly signposted and plenty seats which was nice. If parking at the caravan park, make sure you've got the right one. You will know when you've found it. Hard going but did manage to winkle out a nice trout of approx 1lb and a cracking 40cm grayling just below the island
Both Czech Nymphing.

1 Trout, 1 Grayling

Took my grandson to show him how I started fishing and 'trotted' for grayling am. No grayling but 4 small os trout - best 3/4 lb all safely returned. Joined by a friendly angler from Hereford (not fishing) who had a few words of advice. I'll show my lad fly fishing later. Had great lunch at the Seven Stars, round the corner at Aberedw - recommended: smart, friendly, good food and plenty of it. Went back pm to have a look at the top of the beat, where the Edw enters and were thrilled to see salmon collecting in the holding pool there. Another grand stay at Caer Beris Manor (Builth). Following day joined Louis from W&U for a great day salmon surveying on Wye and tributaries (recommended) something my grandson will always remember, thanks to Wye and Usk.

Cold and hard fishing. Tried various swims but no bites all day.

Great day to be out, 8 grayling, 7 around the half pound mark and one decent fish. An otter working its upstream towards me totally oblivious to me until 10 feet away was a highlight, kingfishers, red kites, woodpecker...great day.

8 Grayling