Feedback & Reports

Maybe it was the ever so slightly chilly breeze, the dull occasionally damp day, the surprising lack of surface activity, the fact I could only fish morning and early afternoon on a beat I had never fished before, but I blanked. Of course it couldn't possibly be my fault, that I stubbornly fished dry fly only when nothing was rising and hatches were non existent. Not convinced I would have caught anything with other tactics anyway as this stretch did seem lifeless. But then I would say that, wouldn't I!

Fished from 12.30pm - 6pm. Not much rising, generally, ones that did were mostly caught but majority of fish caught came up to an Elk pattern fished 'blind' and were very quick & obliging. Very few mayfly except for a big flurry just after rain. Plenty of LBD's hatching, fish weren't interested in taking them from the surface and yet rose to the Elk. Fished dries all afternoon/evening. Warm & humid, overcast with drizzle & one heavy shower.

11 Trout

Arrived early (8.30am) primarily to walk the beat as not seen before & prior to fishing Lower Henllan from lunchtime. As to be expected - not much activity but we only made a few token casts with dry flies.
We walked the short length downstream of the bridge through the campsite but made no casts.
We were unsure of access upstream of the bridge (right bank as per map). A gate sign posted "no footpath" was on the only gate we could've used. Rather than risk trespass we entered the river below the bridge and waded as far as the cross-stream structure and were then puzzled again as there was no visible (worn) exit point. We about faced and walked back down the stream. Maybe 'no footpath' was for the campers and not anglers, info appreciated on this.

WUF note: If the fishing is marked on your map, you can access it through the fields. The 'No Footpath' sign would be for the general public and walkers.

1'6", falling, bit of colour, overcast - ideal.
Fished 4.30pm to 9pm, saw a fish bottom of Dol-Meudwy.
Plenty of trout rising. Nothing caught.

Worked upstream from bridge, starting at 5.30pm. Finished at dusk.
Not one take!
Not through lack of effort, fish or insect life (there is an abundance of the latter two) but just lack of skill on my part.
I used small olive and black gnats and for a spell when there were no rises, a black nymph.
Hey ho, it is a wonderful beat to walk and sit awhile and with the wall walkway, small pontoons and well spaced seats, one on which the owners have carried out considerable work for our convenience.
It is a real privilege to be able to fish this beat or as it happened this time, cast this beat.

I used 4 different dry flies and only action was on Daddy Long Legs. Unfortunately I didn't catch anything. It was my first experience of wild streams and only the second time I'd fished with flies. I loved it. Nature up close and at its best. The first day was at Lower Grywne Fawr, the second day was at Pontithel. The first was more remote, the second had more water and more fish. Both excellent.
Stayed at the Wye Knot Stop Cafe - good room, very friendly and good breakfast. Across the road was the Griffin Inn - great pub, good food and even better beer.

Nothing caught but a few fish seen. 4 different fish started leaping at dusk when an otter showed up. Small, perhaps a cub or maybe a mink. Have they been seen there before? Lovely fly water, would book again.

3 Trout

Nothing to report on catching fish. Only 2 rises spotted in the whole day. Only saw 3 other anglers on the water who had not caught any trout but had 1 perch!

Super beat.

4 Trout

This turned out to be a very expensive day of casting practice. The river was high, though not in flood and very coloured. You couldn't see the bottom in water deeper than 18". Despite a continual trickle of mayfly coming off, we saw only 3 fish rises the whole day. Not a single rise to any of our mayfly patterns or other dry flies. Nymphs and spiders were equally ignored whether fished up or downstream. We had possible 3 bites on nymph between us in the day. It was hard to know what was up with the trout but they were not in the mood to feed. Shame because the stretch of river is lovely.