Feedback & Reports

Water v low and strong sunshine with some rising fish. Hard to get close to the deeper channels and pools without spooking. Some fish rising. Really nice beat. To get to water safely, walk 50 metres up the path, don't descend by the bridge.

1 Trout

Arrived at midday to discover that two rods from the holiday cottage had already fished the whole beat! Nice guys - but was a bit concerned as to how I would do.
Headed downstream as that was what had been fished first.
Not a natural nymph man - but rigged up two nymphs on 12ft tenkara rod and a dry fly rod as back up.
First pool fished I ran nymphs through a dozen times or so then all hell broke loose - grayling on both nymphs! Got them in eventally but only after second joint of rod snapped and I managed to grab tiny top section. Will claim duo landed on smallest rod ever.
Changed rod over to nymphs and eventually ended up with 5 or 6 on nymph.
In evening headed above bridge with a GSB. Did not get above shallows above high undercut bank. Had at least another 6 grayling on dry fly. So a dozen+ grayling all 8 - 10 inches except one on GSB that was about 14". Sure I should do better on this beat - need to master nymphing.

12 Grayling

River very low water good hatch around lunch time. 4 fish within half hour on small black gnat, the other two taken on blue winged olive. All fish released in water.
Abercynrig is a pleasant stretch of water with good access and easy wading.

6 Trout

Spent time in the morning carefully baiting swims both from the bank and by wading out. In the afternoon we got the centrepins out and waded. The flow was manageable but the substrate demanded some care as it was slippery. We shared the bank with the cows and provided them with great entertainment when we crossed the silt and mud on leaving the river! We caught a beautiful Chub by this method. During the early evening we changed to standard feeder tactics which yielded 3 Barbel (to 8lbs) and 2 Chub (largest 5lbs 8ozs). Incredibly beautiful scenery and lots of interesting wildlife. Look forward to a return visit.

3 Barbel, 3 Chub

My second time to Doldowlod, and this time I took a friend who had never fly fished before.I did warn him that as I'm self taught that my casting tuition would be up to much. I chose Doldowlod because of the relative ease of wading and the fact you don't have to cast far on the lower end of the beat.
We nymphed and indicator nymphed using loads of different flies and didn't get a touch until we reached faster water, then it seemed that a gold head copper john was the only pattern I could get a take on.
Overall we found it hard going and I guess that the sun in the morning didn't do us any favours.
I tried my best to get him is first fish on the fly and he lost a couple, but alas I failed. Despite this Andy enjoyed himself and will probably try again next year.
PS. Next time someone fishes there can you please tell me what method to use on those very fishy looking gullies? I'm sure they're full of fish, but I can't seem to buy a bite from that area!

3 Grayling

Float fishing with bread on Beat 2.

2 Chub

All fish caught on hoppers. This is not the easiest of places to fish, it has some very boggy areas which you have to cross to get to any half decent ground. The rest is tussocks of heather and grass, hiding deep holes so great care is needed. In my opinion this isn't a place to go alone and I won't be going again.

8 Trout

A good day for big fighting grayling. Not that I'm complaining but where are all the small ones? Lots of small stone flies about, probably yellow sallys but my entomology is not great. A stonefly imitation dry is what they preferred today. Not a sniff of a trout strangely. A very civilized beat if I may use that word. With little benches, pools neatly named and signed and a clear path running the length of it. Luxury!

10 Grayling

A bright and sunny day with water levels down. Little or no surface activity most takes on goldheads. First time on this beat which is well maintained and certainly worth another visit.

2 Trout, 1 Grayling

The water was extremely low, and coupled with a brisk wind and bright sunlight, made for a tough day. Only a few rising fish seen throughout the day, and these could not be tempted with dries. Late in the afternoon, around 18:00, I managed to bring 2 small trout to the net; both in fine condition and both released safely. Both were caught in faster (and very shallow) water toward the top of the beat, and both took a sz16 weighted PTN.

2 Trout