Feedback & Reports

River was a foot or so lower than Thursday running at a more fishable pace and starting to clear, we were fishing the top weir when I heard a galloping on the opposite bank, I turned to see what I thought was a dog but was surprised when I realised it was an otter that carried on running past and superman like dove off the bank into the weir right in front of us we stopped fishing but did not see him again. I am shocked at the size of this otter as the only one I seen before at an animal park was tiny in comparison, I googled otters and this was a fully grown adult that's obviously had a good winter from the size of him. No fish were caught no fly hatches.

Arrived on what will probably be the last day of winter after a frosty morning, weather remained cold and overcast with a maximum of 9C, the river looked about normal level but was pushing through surprisingly powerfully, and was nice and clear with a slight blue/green tint where it was deep enough.
Access downstream of the bridge was very limited with barbed wire, stock fences, fallen trees, steep banks and deep pools making things very difficult so I made my way upstream instead which was much easier going. I tried heavy gold heads to get down into the deeper water on the bends but failed to get a take. This is a lovely stretch which judging from past catch returns fishes very well but I think I was a month or two early as I saw no fish or fly life on the water.
I stayed at Pilleth Oaks B&B which was very nice and just a short walk from the river.

Took a chance on the Hindwell fining down faster than the Lugg. Was not the case! Still attempted trundling heavy bugs through steady pools, but no luck. Lovely couple of hours though to be on the water.

Fished for 2 days on Legg Meadow for just one small barbel but conditions were less than ideal with water temperature still very low. As always thoroghly enjoyed fishing this excellent stretch and looking forward to doing so again next season in hopefully better conditions.

1 Barbel

After a cold night, the day soon warmed up in the Spring sunshine, and we felt confident that some barbel would feed for a short period. We selected deep water swims at the top end, and we're not disappointed, with RW catching 4 barbel and 2 chub, and RB 1 barbel and 2 chub. A couple of barbel were also lost. The most productive time today was in the morning. Fish were caught on a mixture of halibut and spicy sausage pellets. Biggest barbel went 7lb and chub 4lb.

5 Barbel, 4 Chub

One trout caught, great place to spend a day fishing.

1 Trout

Lovely day on a cracking beat. 2 small pike landed.

2 Pike

Action was very slow despite a falling river which looked like good conditions, perhaps still a little cold? Grayling was just under a pound and the two chub were 3lb 7oz and 5lb 3oz - the biggest was a new chub PB for me so can't grumble even if the bites were few and far between. Biggest chub on feeder with pellet and smaller one on a little ssg link ledger in a back eddie with bread flake as bait. Grayling taken by my wife on maggot feeder. Very nice spot to fish Foy Bridge and will be back again next season at some point. Thank you to the beat owner and to WUF.

1 Grayling, 2 Chub

Conditions were very good and there was a cracking hatch of LDOs and later a couple of flurries of March Browns. The first 2 fish that I saw rising were put down by 2 whitewater rafts that appeared on the river as soon as the hatch got properly underway and duly sailed over the risers. Barely a fish rose after that. Unusual for this beat as I have fished it in all sorts of conditions and whenever there has been an LDO hatch very early season, the fish have come up for them. Perhaps it was just one of those things or maybe the rafts put all the fish down, but it was odd. I managed 3 trout to a nymph / spider combination with a Waterhen Bloa accounting for 2 of the fish so the day was reasonably successful. Disappointing that the rafters seem to have no respect for the rules. I met the owner and his family who were out on the water and they were very nice and friendly.

3 Trout

The river was fining down from it's recent high levels but very cold. Fished close to the car park trotting maggot along a crease. Looked perfect and low and behold I managed to hook and lose three good fish after about an hour. I should have moved then but felt there were fish in front of me. Unfortunately after fishing hard all day I only managed three chub to about 3 lbs. Still worth the journey for such a beautiful river but next time I will be more mobile.

3 Chub