Feedback & Reports

With the river so low and no fresh water for weeks expectations were not high. Fishing with maggots as loose feed I managed to coax a lovely looking chub to the net but nowt else .... only the small silvers seemed to be active. The other angler set out with maggots on waggler and had a variety of small fish before being smashed by a barbel. After stepping up his gear to cope he lost two other barbel. He did however manage to land a near 5 pound chub which was in immaculate condition.
Despite the conditions it's nice to know some decent chub can be had and the barbel are willing to feed if they can be found.
Despite the walk (it gets easier over time, or is it improving our fitness level?) this beat is growing on us and we look forward to our next visit.

2 Chub

Water very low and clear which meant I could occasionally see the Grayling (which looked huge) flashing in the deep water of the gutter on the lower part of the beat - especially when viewed from high up on the bank. Only when I put on a real "depth bomb" could I get deep enough to take one - and then remembered about the magnification of a good depth of water - as the fish was 1 lb or so. Still I was pleased as I'm a grayling novice. Otherwise, a lovely quiet day with not much rising and only one other trout 8". Kingfishers, Herons and one salmon jumping made another great day - I have to say "as usual"
Thanks WUF for this great service.

1 Trout, 1 Grayling

River clear. Grayling of 10"(3), 9"(4) & 8"(1) caught on goldhead hare's ear (4), goldhead red tag(2), goldhead white nymph(2). Enjoyable day.

8 Grayling

Bit of a grueller due to low water conditions - also fell foul of the snaggy conditions on the main river bend (lost alot of gear). 2 chub very early on then nothing throughout the day. Then as dusk fell the river came to life!!! Critically balanced pellet on a long hook link did the main damage, to both feeder and straight lead tactics. Utilisation of the 1 hour after darkness was absolutely vital to our (limited) success. What an absolutely stunnning beat, which will only increase in beauty as the autumn wears on.

3 Barbel, 4 Chub

Last day of a five day holiday on the upper Usk. River was the lowest I've ever seen it at Penpont, much reducing the amount of fishing available. Very sparse hatch of small olives. 1BT 12" on a PT nymph - returned. Spooked several good fish hunting autumn dun nymphs in the shallows. Impossible to get a fly to them before they see you! Tough fishing on a beautiful September day.

1 Trout

Trout caught on GRHE pattern nymph. No surface activity.

1 Trout

Low river conditions and anglers fishing from the opposite bank limited swim choice. Managed to catch an 8lb barbel and two smaller barbel late afternoon.

3 Barbel, 4 Chub

9 Barbel, 5 Chub

Other = dace + 1 eel
1 angler trotting down from bridge end using single sweet corn & he caught all the chub & barbel. Other angler using open cage feeder with halibut pellets into pool downstream from rocky outcrop then switching to free lining luncheon meat from rocky outcrop catching 1 eel. The beat owner arrived just before the end of the days fishing and offered some advice + offered to lend me a pair of waders which I accepted to use on the 2nd day.

3 Barbel, 4 Chub, 20 Other

Difficult fishing in low water. Although a lovely day, and a stunning place to fish with Autumn colors just touching the trees. There was a slow trickle of fly coming off all day and the trout were occasionally rising, but it was the nymphs that did the trick, best fish was about 1 1/2 pound.

10 Trout