Feedback & Reports

Lovely stretch of river. Level appeared low. Started off at bottom end before moving into wooded area and finding the fish. All caught on pellet. Wooded area appears to have dried out.

11 Barbel, 1 Chub

Dozen or so to hand in the few hours I was there. Not much fly on the water with limited rising fish. Large hornets nest in the top section of beat so be careful. All trout took beadhead nymph on dropper.

12 Trout

The second day of our trip and we stayed in the woods stretch after our successful previous day. We changed swims round from the previous day which resulted in me having the greater number of fish as they were definitely present in greater numbers further downstream. The day was largely overcast so unlike the sunny previous day we did manage a few fish duirng the day. Once again though it was the evening (after heavy baiting and resting the areas) that produced the lions share of the barbel. By dusk I had managed eleven barbel to 9 lbs 12 ozs and an average size chub and SE had two barbel to 9 lbs 6 ozs and a 4 lbs + chub. Three barbel were also lost, one cut off and a couple of hook pulls which are such a rare thing with barbel's tough mouths they leave you somewhat dumbfounded! Feeders and pellets again the successful tactic. There was a lot of weed drifting down which made fishing difficult at times but by switching to 4 oz feeders it was possible to hold the bottom for a reasonable length of time on each cast until the weed built up too much on the line. The canoes were plentiful but caused no problem. Some good banter was had and polite requests to move out a bit to avoid our lines were always granted. Some anglers get frustrated with the canoes but they don't affect the fishing and mostly go through in the unproductive parts of the day anyway. We finished our weekend with 27 barbel which is fabulous fishing by any standards. We have been here a few times so have a good knowledge of how to get the best out of it, particularly the productive areas, but I see a lot of catch reports where anglers have fished several swims during the day, not caught much and gone home late afternoon dissapointed. To get the best out of this stretch you simply have to fish until dusk. If you don't catch during the day don't worry, just keep feeding the swim and come evening you will hopefully get your reward. It's not guaranteed of course but it has worked for me just about every time I have fished at Courtfield. Finally, thank you to WUF and the landowners for making Courtfield available to us. A wonderful place to spend a couple of days and some of the best fishing I have experienced.

13 Barbel, 2 Chub

Lovely day fishing, 6 chub biggest 4lb 8oz beautiful location unfortunately no barbel (hiding under the bridge) will book again.

6 Chub

The fishing was good. Must say great new seats put on bank just to look at river. Met the owner there doing work what a nice guy gave me plenty of info about river was my first time on there will be back for another day later in year great place to fish

3 Trout, 9 Grayling

Worm / lure

2 Trout

Nearly didn't come to the Usk again as we have had so many disappointing days there. However, this time we had a good day with one to Cats whisker and the rest on bubble float.

7 Trout

Fished dry fly for rising fish. Good hatch in the afternoon evening. Used olive, Adams and black klinkhammer. A lovely day with the river to myself.

3 Trout, 1 Grayling

See catch report from previous day - same applies.

Hi just one comment that I wanted to say: there are very few anglers on the Usk these days. I have asked a few of my friend why they do not go here anymore and all gave the same reply that it is too expensive and money is tight these days. If the price was dropped, I'm sure a lot more people would fish here again. Also this is my first visit for seven years as I found it hard to get the money for the permit. 0 fish were caught.