Feedback & Reports

Highly enjoyable day on this beat.Conditions were tricky with the river very low and clear. I spent the bulk of my session on a swim half way down on the left bank. After some experimentation I had to scale down to get bites and caught most of my fish on banded 6mm pellet fished on a short hook-length and groundbait feeder. Lovely to see a couple of sub 1lb Barbel in my catch, very promising for the future.
For future reference I lost some rigs to a couple of snags, one straight across about 2/3rds of the way and another about 30yd down stream and about 1/2 way over.

7 Barbel, 10 Chub

The river level and speed of flow were affected by upstream dam release (as advised by landowner) and in the morning was approximately 1' higher than the previous evening. The river level continued to rise during the course of the day's fishing, although the rate of flow did not vary. There was little or no surface activity throughout the day and into the evening. Challenging conditions but an enjoyable day nevertheless. Booking online was easy and the map, directions, and other info forwarded promptly by the Foundation were comprehensive and extremely useful. We look forward to fishing in the area again on our next visit to Wales.

First time on this beat and size of makes it a challenge working out where to fish - thanks to DC for his advice.
Day started well - within first half hour had 2 grayling around 10" and had lost one and missed another take all from the Bathing Pool.
Worked our way to the bottom of the beat and back up to the Bathing Pool for a late lunch and had not seen another fish - nothing rising or taking.
At 2.30 had a small trout. We knew we had to leave at 4.30 so headed up to the mouth of the Clettwr. Here we finally found a few rises and tempted 3 more grayling 10", 12" and a plump 15". Fishing was hampered by a strong upstream wind - but we stuck with small dries all day.
A lot of water to find fish in and not easy to wade far enough to fish all the available water - but a lovely stretch of river.

1 Trout, 5 Grayling

Fished with spider patterns and nymphs and gave it an honest go but unfortunately no fish would take the flies. It was however a nice afternoon on the river.

Fantastic stretch of the Usk with easy access. Although I saw a fair number of fish and plenty of fly life I didn't manage to connect with any, probably due in part to the bright sunshine but mostly my lack of skill. I imagine if I had been able to stay later ( I left at 4pm) then it may have been a different story.

To me this is the best stretch I have ever been to! Colin Richards who looks after and maintains the beat, deserves a gold medal. Fished with my fishing buddy Barry and had a smashing day.
Thanks, Tony

5 Barbel, 12 Chub

nil return

Wonderful afternoons fishing - lots of fish rising : but not easy to catch. All fish returned

9 Trout

Beautiful hot day, but tricky conditions made fishing difficult (my excuse anyway!). Low water levels and a very warm day meant that locating and catching fish proved to be a problem. Did get sightings of two separate large'ish trout in one of the deeper very slow pools, but they were not interested in anything I put in front of them. Did catch one small Grayling on a nymph dropper with a Klinkhammer indicator in one of the faster shallow sections mid beat. Saw two herons (I'm sure one of them was pure white) and a cormorant early on. A great day but would have liked few more fish!
(WUF Note: the all white 'Heron' may well have been an Egret)

1 Grayling

Couple of Grilse showing but no contact on a difficult day.