Feedback & Reports

My best day on the Wye, catching nine good sized barbel. The biggest a long, lean beauty of 9lb 6oz, with four others over 7lb. Plus a 4lb 6oz chub. All the fish on pellets. The river level increased a few inches in the last couple of days, due to arrival of the rain in Wales last week. Also a calm day after a windy day is usually good for barbel, so the planets were aligned perfectly today.

9 Barbel, 1 Chub

We only could fish the bottom half of the river because access to the upper part was impossible with no clear paths cut. Nothing caught and didn't see anything, poor day.

River low & clear: 3 small trout on upstream nymphs by my fishing partner.

3 Trout

Nothing caught.

Perfect day, water clear, arrived about noon, no fish rising or seen even with an abundance of fly life including a scattering of big mayflies. Wandered the beats most likely spots for three hours trying to tempt a fish on drys, complete blank! Hoped for some movement or a rise later in the day, still nothing! Didn't even see a fish, most odd? Tried drys, nymphs, emptied my fly box still nought? Finally at about 7 pm and completely baffled I had a break to reflect, the only fly I had not tried was a tiny Diawl Bach.
Welsh fly, Welsh water give it a try?
Second cast and a 15/16" beautiful WBT, a few casts later a 12" grayling (my first ever) all on a 7ft #3 both fish healthy and fighting fit. Returned both safely.
My day went from pathetic to perfect!

1 Trout, 1 Grayling

All caught just below the bridge, far bank after parking.

3 Chub

I found this impossible to fish, too overgrown for me. Water clear. Some trees down across the brook. Gave up after an hour of snagged lines. Sighted a couple of fish but could not get a fly to them.

Fished Courtfield and took the advice of Don. The going was tough and despite the calm conditions, we managed 6 barbel and 8 chub, all falling to feeder and double pellet. Most catches were prior to lunch and things dried up after then with little bites and catches. Unfortunately we collectively lost a fair amount of terminal tackle, but still a great day.

6 Barbel, 8 Chub

Two caught on spinner. Small fish but one much larger was missed.

Lost a good size fish in Martin's Pool first few casts with a spinner. Plenty of salmon crashing about as far as the eye could see but we couldn't get them to take. Adam Fisher was very helpful and showed us all the access points for wading and spinning. Lovely stretch of water and would like to fish it with a touch more water on.

1 Chub