Feedback & Reports

Day two of the Usk reccie and another stunning stretch of water. Fished from car park 3 upstream through the wooded section and there's some fabulous runs and pockets for the speculative dry here and this did result in a 1 pounder (on a CDC & elk) that thought it was 2 pound, or on steroids. Fantastic condition and colours it was. Beautiful woodland on the right bank section up there too, a pleasure just to be there .
Very little rising today but nothing substantial hatching though and what was rising looked they where on needle fly and the flat glide immediately down from the car parking area (great hardstanding here BTW) had a lot of fish sipping away but after a couple of fish, eventually, to a tiny F fly I gave in and headed off away upstream.
Lot's more to do here and seems fantastic value for money to me and one thing that did strike me was the clarity of the water (some of the long pools and runs are hugely deep!) and also the sparklingly clean condition of the river bed in many places. It was a joy to be standing in the river casting a long line when its like this. The same applies to Pantyscallog too and turning over the stones reveals very large numbers of tiny olive nymphs (next years adults ?) and cased caddis/stone clingers, some pretty big ones too.
Can't wait to explore more and hopefully with a hatch on too. Its going to be fun, lots of fun.
Thanks WUF

3 Trout

My 4th trip here and different every time. Water very low and clear. Being an idiot I thought I was good enough to catch the few fish rising on the exposed, shallow and very sunny flats. Took 5 hours to quit that fantasy! Late pm it clouded over and I moved up to faster water where I caught 6 fish that went like demons and restored my self-esteem a bit. One fish to size 16 black magic nymph, otherwise Soft hackle dry fly did the business, 2 fish taking from sub surface after dry fly overwhelmed, so in similar conditions I'd probably try leggy wet flies but ran out of time today. Fish up to 16". Few par nibbled when I tried nymphing. Still fairly new to big rivers, still so much to learn. Lovely place, wading fairly ok today - but only because of how low it was.

6 Trout

Fly fishing. River very low, very little cloud cover. Very few fish showing and those that did were coloured.

A great day out with friends Oliver Burch and Rob Evans. This is a very impressive stretch of river with lots of fishing. The weather was kind – a few fish were moving throughout the day but not as many as expected (considering the conditions). We were lucky to take fish on dries all day. There’s a fair walk to the bottom boundary, but it’s worth it. I’m taking my sandwiches with me next time to save walking back to the car! Although there’s an idyllic view from the fishing hut.

7 Trout, 35 Grayling, 2 Chub

Low clear water so I opted for a 12ft #8 Switch rod with a short sink tip on floating line and a double #12 Ally’s Shrimp at the end of the 9ft tapered leader, [classic Sewin set-up]. Glad I did as the 6lb cock fish, taken mid-stream just below the bridge, was far more fun on the lighter gear.
There were others moving up through the faster water in the morning but as the cloud dispersed they seemed to hold back in the deeper sections of The Creel downstream.
I think that’s me done for this season so thanks to everyone at WUF for all your help and see you next year..

1 Salmon

Fished here Yesterday with Shaun, and as his guests. Shaun started early with the Salmon rod, no Salmon this time but he did get 4 trout.
T.B. fished the French leader, and took a good number of both trout and grayling. When fish started rising regularly, we all switched to dries, and from then until the end of the day we took a good mix of trout and grayling. This has to be my favourite beat on the upper river, and rarely disappoints.
Thanks Shaun for a great day. (Fish numbers stated are a conservative estimate).

20 Trout, 38 Grayling

Almost gave up at start realising I hadn't brought my 7', so went on with 8'6". Doh! Water crystal and cold but could have been a bit higher. Didn't spot or spook any fish.
Plenty of fly life. Would like to try again next year, lovely stretch.

Nothing today on what was a challenging day. Lovely stretch again on the Wye. Lots of Kayaks about which I can handle but when 6 people turn up and start swimming in the river just above you shouting their heads off I gave up.

A very poor day. No signs of life all day. Feeder streams are very low and water levels down. A lot of methane bubbles suggest oxygen levels fairly low, maybe this was why fish were inactive. Either that or the reservoir is fished out and needs restocking.

A very hot day but the barbel were obliging with action throughout the day. Best fish 8lb 10oz.

8 Barbel