Feedback & Reports

Having struggled the previous day on Backney, the ever increasing river level did not bode well for this session. River up over two feet on previous day. From past experience we knew the beat would not offer many opportunities to present a bait, other than the odd spot right in the edge. Which is what we did. My buddy MH managed a PB 10 lb barbel from under his feet. After a short nap to help recover from the previous nights over indulgence in Ross, MH had another one of 7 1/2 lb. Both on pellet. Proving the point that no matter how unfishable the river can appear at times there is always the chance of mugging a beard or two if your willing to put the effort in! This beat is also one of the most scenic I've fished and I look forward to returning soon.

2 Barbel

No fish caught on a tough day, river in flood.

River carrying loads of extra water and fishing was hard. Managed 1 barbel mid morning but no other bites. The stretch is lovely and acces is very good.

1 Barbel

No fish caught in tough conditions on a flooded river.

River extremely high and colour of heavily creamed coffee. Conditions made it impossible to wade. Accompanying map of beat and marked parking made it easy to navigate around. Tried nymph with indicator for a few hours then gave up. Stayed at The Bell in Skenfrith. What a great place! Give them your business.

River high and coloured. Three Barbel on standard feeder tactics. Two on Pellet one on Pepperami. Weights estimated 5lb, 7lb, 10lb.

3 Barbel

16 x grayling 11-18 inches, 18 x out of season trout 6-15 inches. Cloudy with occasional showers, not too cold. Still very high water at 0.70, too high for the fly rod I would have said, but running clear. I was aware more rain is due this evening and this might be the only fishing chance for a few days, so I tried trotting from various stances tucked under the bank. It worked out well apart from trout being a nuisance, with some very nice grayling in the bag, quite a number at 17 and 18 inches. Last year we had a lot of 16 inch fish; where will this year class be next season? Large dark olives hatching (but no rises) and salmon showing regularly over the gravel runs.

16 Grayling

First time any of us had fished the river, which was high and coloured. Halibut pellets and PVA mesh bags down the near bank to keep out of the strong flow but nothing showed.

2 Chub

Decided to take the trotting gear as the gauge at Climery looked a wee bit high when I checked early morning. Not a bad day but where are the bigger grayling? Had 8 feisty wee ones about 9 inches, one about a pound and another around 1 and a half.

10 Grayling