Feedback & Reports

Not ideal conditions, very hot and clear sky. Both fish (2lb 14oz Chub & 2lb 3oz Barbel ) were caught on free lined luncheon meat, fished under overhanging cover.
We had a great day on this super little river, although finding a fishable swim was not always easy. Much of the beat had high banks dropping shear into deep water, whilst much of the rest was enveloped in jungle, just the kind of challenge I like.
The only downside were the large number of children occupying the opposite bank, jumping in from the high banks and throughing sticks and stones in for dogs. This did result in moving swims a couple of times, but did not spoil our day. Many thanks.

1 Barbel, 1 Chub

19.30 to 21.30. Lower Courtfield by 40mph exit under trees, freelined luncheon meat. Nothing happening until 21.00 then 3 chub, first 2 around 4lb size then last cast in poor light what I thought was a barbel turned out to be weighed a 6lb 7oz chub, my first 6lb plus chub.
The fishing has been slow lately, one angler blanks while a few yards away on similar tactics his friend catches so perhaps a little roving may be required. Most fish caught sunrise and sunset, barbel are being caught in lower wooded area but river needs a flush through or lower temperatures.
Otters on beat (and family of mink!), kingfishers nest in bank by island and a few coloured salmon in Leggs meadow.

3 Chub

Lovely days fishing. All fish fell to pellet mostly on feeder. Had a chat with Colin, lovely guy who does a great job. Back again October. Cannot wait.

5 Barbel, 30 Chub

A very slow day, 1 trout to spinner. The odd perch on worm.

1 Trout, 8 Other

The place I had earmarked to fish was unfortunately occupied by campers and children with canoes on the far bank so I fished another couple of swims with no luck. River very low and in need of a good downpour!

No fish unfortunately. Weather didn't help but I will return.

If anyone should question why I do a 300 mile round trip to the Wye a couple of times a year, this trip will answer them. We had two consecutive days booked for four of us but unfortunately only three of us could make it due to a family illness. We all set up in the wooded section. I made my first cast at about 5.30am and within a minute was playing a barbel of 8lbs 11ozs. Great start to what turned into a red letter day for me. By the time I reeled in at dusk I had landed a total of 13 barbel between 4lbs 15ozs and 9lbs 11ozs. All the fish came in the first two and last four hours of the day. The only down side to my day was that the fish were very localised and my colleagues didn't have the same quality of sport. One had two barbel (12ozs! and 6lbs 14ozs). The other half, a dozen small chub up to about 2lbs, five eels and a pike about 6lbs. Still we had another day. The river was very low and the weather warm and sunny so not ideal conditions really. We targeted the deeper runs as no fish were visible in the shallower areas.

15 Barbel, 6 Chub, 1 Pike, 5 Other

Lovely beat spoiled by dog walkers with dogs swimming in pegs. Numerous cars up and down all day, understandably getting the road ready for the show. I did not realise it was a public byway and after paying over £90 for two anglers expected a bit more peace and privacy.

2 Chub

Road not good if you are of a nervous disposition, tight hair pin to get to lower car park. We drove to end of camp site and dropped kit before taking car back to car park. Still a long walk to get to beat.
Island Pool is first swim on beat, but not clearly marked and having walked past Courtfield beat, could see no indication of where the beat ended. Probably 90% of the beat is unfishable/cannot access the rivers edge. We fished half way along the beat, between 11 and 7pm and dint have a bite between us despite ringing the changes.
Endured 100+ canoeists throughout the day of varying degrees of disruptive behaviour. One canoe overturned as result of water fight which signalled the start of swimming session.
Natural wildlife was good, with a pair of kingfishers seen several times during the day and even a snake deserted the Home Fishery beat, as it was seen swimming across to the other side of the river. Belting hot day, with river level extremely low.

Not much fishable water. Be aware, there are lots of canoes in this area as it is an ingress point. Not many fish. Largest chub about 2lb

4 Chub