Feedback & Reports

WUF Wild Streams Day
I fished the upper half of the Pilleth beat, success (not counting a number of offers) limited to one beautiful 10" trout taken on a #14 Grey Drake which, rather surprisingly given the amount of vegetation on this beat, I managed to preserve all day. This half of the beat has easily waded shallow stretches, some very deep pools which can be walked round, even places where overhead casting is possible although I wouldn't have wanted more than my 6' rod.
The whole beat is definitely wild, lots of overhanging trees, bankside vegetation, fallen branches etc although WUF volunteers have clearly been at work. It is barbed wire and stock fenced both sides but once you get in above the bridge you can stay in. Below the bridge is a different matter. Fallen trees, deep pools, high undercut banks and stock gates mean you can't wade the length of the stream so I gave up after climbing the fence thrice and went back upstream. There are a few (but not enough) bits of plastic padding, the number of stiles required would not be affordable. (Thought: why don't I carry my own length of foam pipe lagging on my wading stick?)
Altogether, an excellent day. Many thanks to Seth, Roger and all for organising it. Now they've got the hang of it may we look forward to next year's event?. And thanks to the Riverside Inn whose chocolate cake would have made the trip worthwhile even if we'd been washed off.

1 Trout

Firstly a massive thankyou to all the people who organised the day. Fished Middlemoor for trout and Grayling water was in very good state. Tried a vast number of flies but was not successful on the day however it was a beautiful place to spend the day and I shall be definitely be signing up for a wild stream ticket, and once again thanks for the experience. Now hooked on wild streams.

Good venue with friendly group. Enjoyed helpful tips and practical guidance on beat at Hergest Court. Access points limited but wading ok. Clouds of gnats but little else in morning. Found rising fish in middle of day but unable to connect - our guide showed how! Look forward to similar events.

Great Day on the Arrow at Titley, we all enjoyed it. I think we all were expecting a bit more river guidance prior to setting off and perhaps some actual river/fly guidance on the beat. However, I for one will book again if you run this again, and have signed up for the Tenkara session on the 5th July to see what thats all about! I have some time off work in June so will book a beat or two up, have rekindled my liking for tis sport!

6 Trout

A really interesting and enjoyable day - the Wild Streams day, with WUF and the Lugg and Arrow association. Thank you to all who organised this event. We met at the Riverside Inn, for the briefing, introductory talk, and allocation of beats. Lots of useful information and advice about small stream trout fishing.
Mowley Wood is a lovely stretch of the Arrow; my colleague caught six brownies, I learnt a lot about this sort of fishing particularly, get a shorter rod.
Back to the Inn for five, for tea and cakes.

Fished from early morning until 10am, started in the bay and saw a nice sunrise, fish rose right in front of me just to tease. Nothing caught on my bottom fished worm, moved to boat slipway and caught a small perch (why are they all so small, I would have thought that there would be some bigger ones, maybe they inhabit the murky depths!), chap to my right hooked and self released a nice rainbow. I moved back to the bay out of the wind and gave up at 10am to retreat to a nice cup of tea and a bacon sarnie. I am back this weekend with my Dad, he has looked forward to this trip for ages so I am keeping my abject failure from him and I pray to the fishing gods that the trout decide that they are hungry. P.S I even tried float fishing using a pine cone as a weighted float, it worked ok but still no fishies!

1 Other

Really helpful information from the beat owner made finding the beat, access and fishing easy. I wish all WUF beats had owners like Barry.
A salmon took my fly as I was stripping in to recast on Woodstream, it jumped and came off.

Good day at top end away from the crowds. Very windy but once fish were found sport was excellent. 4 fish around 2 lbs each retained and 3 released. I find this fishery always fishes best on a fast intermediate with some type fry imitation. All fish taken on an olive green and mylar Zonker.
Shame about the rubbish left behind by some anglers. Welsh Water - do something about this!

7 Trout

1 Grayling, 1 Other

9 trout to 8 inches. River low not much hatching. It would be helpful if the beat map was more detailed as I was unsure of the boundaries i.e. where is black bat bridge?

9 Trout