Feedback & Reports

After having a good chat with the gentleman from the previous day and having seen some large chub taking bread off the surface and several barbel flashing, I arrived with great anticipation but I had to work really hard from dawn until dusk for 9 chub on day 1 and 3 chub on day 2, mostly caught trotting sweet corn or pellet through the fast water.
There was no sign of the surface feeding chub or the barbel even though I tried various methods from the available swims as I had the beat to myself. Luncheon meat only produced eels.
Blisteringly hot sunshine and clear sky probably didn't help, compared to the previous day when it was overcast with some light rain.
Still can't think of a better river to be on even when the fishing is tough, just looking forward to my next trip.

WUF note - Please adhere to the Rules and Regulations provided. Anglers are not permitted to visit the beat the day before fishing to recce swims or approach other anglers for information. WUF fishing beats are booked on an exclusivity basis. Please only attend the beat on the day which you are booked to fish.

12 Chub, 4 Other

A great day but very hot. Nothing during the day but 5 barbel to 8lb 4oz (a new PB for me) in the evening from the bottom of the beat in the fast deep water at the Island Pool.

5 Barbel

No fish showing and virtually no water in the river!

Low water levels at the moment but did not affect the fishing with some quality grayling (about a pound) and one good fish at 1.5lb. Had to change the fly several times but majority caught on ptn and grhe in fast oxygenated water or shallower glides - not much of a rise although left the water before evening set in.

2 Trout, 12 Grayling

Fantastic stretch of water and watched a shoal of barbel flashing in the fast, clear water but very hot and the fish didn't seem to want to feed. One chub and an eel as the sun went down was the best we could muster. Thank you WUF and my special thanks to WUF Approved Coarse Guide Adam Fisher for his help and advice.

1 Chub, 1 Other

Brilliant fishery, exactly what it says on the tin. Barbel flashing everywhere but blanked, will be back.

Two small trout returned, approx 15cm long caught on a hairs ear nymph.
There is a larch tree fallen recently across the stream near the bridge which makes passing difficult. I had to climb over the top, not easy in breathable waders. Estimate an hours work for two men and a chainsaw to clear it.

2 Trout

Tough going with poor access and trees. It will be a real job getting this beat up to standard. Plenty of fish rising, managed to catch two but rose others.

2 Trout

Started off slow in the morning fishing from the boat launching ramp using ledgered worm. There was me and 2 mates fishing with different methods. At about 10-11am the fish went crazy and we managed to bank 4 in the space of 50 mins or so, all of about 1lb to 2lb had 4 perch. In that time I also tried a bit of fly and had one straight off the surface. Angler next to me had 5 trout with no perch using float and worm and 3 anglers next up were literally raking them in. Anglers on the far bank did not seem to catching though. Great water to fish. Shame about the rubbish people leave.

6 Trout, 4 Other

Tried something different today, opted for the roving about and trundling various baits through faster waters whilst wading and using my Sonik SK8 10ft 7-8 weight fly rod and a floating line. Got to the bottom swim, road side around 10.30am, sun just burning through. Fed corn and hemp and a few large lumps of spam, gave it 10 minutes and ventured out on to the end of the groin. Took a bit of time to get the leader length and bait presentation right inching it down the swim, but the first take on a piece of meat was exceptional and the fight through the fast water resulted in a stunning chub of aprx 5-6 lbs. Fed the swim again and rested it for 15 mins. Tried two grains of sweet corn next, savage rip and a second chub of similar size. This happened another three times before the swim died which coincided with the beat owner arriving for a nice natter. Took a break from the water after feeding it well again, thinking if the chub have gone. Maybe they have been pushed out by some barbel? With just meat this time the sun was fully on me and the water by now so did not expect what happened next. With nearly a full fly line out ie 30m a surging take and a 5 minute battle, and I mean battle saw me land my first ever barbel taken on a fly rod. All the commotion finished that swim so I left it and moved over the bridge to find some shade. Got half way down the bank and again fed the faster water as before. Up to my waste in the water and on meat again, I found barbel from the off on the same method plus a few mature chub. It finally got too hot so I had a bit of dinner back at the car and returned for a afternoon session with the feeder, sat in the shade of the tree down the right hand side. Had a good chat with a chap who was coming here the next day. I explained what had occurred and as anglers do, we had a good chin wag! Must have had a bite every 5mins while he was there with chub and a beautiful green eel, easily 3lbs. Swim very quiet from 4 to 6pm but added another two barbel before leaving around 8pm. This beat, although compact does produce some exciting fishing, but saying that, on days like today you have to find the fish, not many places in mid summer where you can land 80+lbs of fish! Thanks WUF and to the owner for making this stretch of water available for us.

7 Barbel, 8 Chub, 1 Other