Feedback & Reports

Thanks to the advice from Kenny Parsons, our guide for the previous 2 days, we had a fantastic days fishing with barbel to 7lb 4oz. There was no sign of the larger chub and our best was 3lb 8oz. The river level was down a little from the previous day and we both fished the bottom pool using halibut pellets on hairs with 90 gram cage feeders and pellets. The weather was bright but overcast and we caught all day from 8:00am to 7:00pm and lost only one feeder each. Not too many canoeists and they were all considerate.
We stayed at Ferndale House B&B which is about 2 minutes drive from the beat and can highly recommend their packed breakfasts, lunches and evening meals.

24 Barbel, 5 Chub

This was the best day of the week. The river level was perfect and the barbel were on the feed. Along with the fish caught, two barbel were lost at the net.

5 Barbel, 3 Chub

13 x trout 7-12 inches, 13 x grayling 9-17 inches, Tungsten Hare's Ear and Pink Shrimp. Normally I like to visit Lyepole after the turn of the year (it's a lot more sheltered than the open Wye when the icy winds of January and February are blowing). But for the last two winters the floods have made the Lugg difficult, so I was feeling rather deprived. Besides, I was inspired by the recent report from AM of Dorridge. It may be a curiosity of this beat, but, at a time of year when it would seem natural to use the dry fly, I always seem to do better here with nymphs, even during warm weather. Even today, very few seen rising, except for some small trout in a glide at the top end. Most of the grayling were in the 10 inch class, but one of the old guard turned up at 17 inches, and showing cormorant scars from his youth. A most lovely morning, on one of my all time favourite fishing beats. Thanks also to the management for putting in some good solid replacement stiles, which are much appreciated. It's nice to come across owners who recognize that that there are some maintenance expenses as well as income to be had from letting fishing.

13 Trout, 13 Grayling

Nice warm day, good water level, very clear, plenty of insect hatches but minimal fish signs. 3 very half hearted takes but a nice day out.

Fished the top of the beat for a few hours this morning. Fishing very tough even though fish were rising. I spent most of the time spooking fish.

A lovely warm day with not too much sunshine, little wind and the water clear at 1ft 1" on the Llanstephan guage. Arrived later than expected at about 10am to find fish rising and accepting emergers, particularly the UB Duck's Dun. Then fished some faster water further up the beat with success, particularly on tung-head, stripped quill nymphs. Returned to this section later in the day fishing duo, traditional and Tenkara, to find rising and non-rising fish taking a grizzle Elk Hair Caddis in preference to nymphs. Then had a rather frustrating hour at the end of the day with fish seemingly rising to an ant fall - many fish being moved but most proving difficult to hook but we still finished the day with yet more grayling and some trout. Took other fish during the day on spiders, nymphs and other dries and emergers. Lost count of the grayling but had at least 60 fish - mainly 8-10" with only 6-8 of 12-13". Of the trout, most were 10" or less but one larger fish of 12" took the nymph during the morning session. Quite a bit of fly around during the day - mainly YMs, stonefly, some small olives and latterly the ants! A fun day during which, remarkably, we both managed to stay dry (quite an achievement given recent experiences on both parts, and the slab hazards on the beat!).

15 Trout, 60 Grayling

River in fine fettle with falling water levels. Steady trickle of Pale Wateries and BWO hatching off. Through most of afternoon, only salmon parr taking the hatching duns. Early evening the grayling also started coming to the dry fly. Most successful method was fishing a team of spiders across and down. Most productive flies were size 16 snipe & purple and size 14 water hen bloa. Most of the grayling in the 6-8 ounce size range.

4 Trout, 15 Grayling

Whatever the reason, I found no fish wanting to take my bait today. I figured the barbel would be in the faster water near the car parking area. I figured wrong. A nice day, but on reflection I should have arrived earlier and moved around more.

All Barbel caught on pellet/feeder tactics, chub caught on trotted fish meal pellets. Hissing Sid, aka the friendly swan, kept me company for most of the day. Thanks again WUF.

15 Barbel, 9 Chub

5 Barbel, 7 Chub