Feedback & Reports

Our second day and we arrived to a high and fast river but at least it wasn't raining. I last fished this stretch in September and estimated the river to be about six feet higher than it was then. We all set up along the meadow, fishing close, in the slacker water. Turned into another tough day but just after 3pm, JC and myself took two barbel towards the water works end, 8lbs 12ozs and 8lbs 14ozs respectively. A few knocks through the rest of the day but the only fish to come to the bank was an eel about 2lbs to MB. Despite the tough conditions we all enjoyed our visit to Courtfield. I would recommend the bunk house at the Jovial Colliers in Upper Lydbrook. Ideal cheap accommodation for anglers. Also recommended is the Indian restaurant at the back of the Forge Hammer pub in Lower Lydbrook. Excellent meal and good ale from the pub. Looking forward to further visits next season.

2 Barbel, 1 Other

Very cold day on the Y, nice to see the wildlife the river was very high pushing through, no barbel.

3 Chub

1 Chub

I didn't fish in the end - the prospect of arriving to find a 2-3 foot rise of dirty cold water peaking at exactly when I was due to fish didn't exactly inspire me with confidence. I've fished through those conidtions before and whilst sometimes you catch, it can feel a little bit like a war of attrition with the current and the rubbish coming down the water. I'm hoping the catch reports from other beats don't prove me wrong... But if they do, then fair play to them (from a fair weather fisherman!)
Roll on June!

After a relatively successful previous day at How Caple we arrived a Wyastone to discover a dirty, cold and pushing river that had doubled in height overnight. Undeterred we opted for a hangover swim, (nearest to the car park) and doubled up to be sociable for a few hours and recover from the previous nights over indulgencies in Ross. Despite the debris coming down the river we managed to present a bait relatively well with 3oz feeders. An hour or so in the rod hooped over and I found myself attached to a very powerful fish. M H did the honours with the net and we found ourselves staring at a fantastic 11lb 5oz bronze beauty. My first Wye double. I announced that we should pack up and call it a day, as you would but we kept at it for the rest of the day and M H was duly rewarded with a Barbel of 5 lb 8 oz. Both fish were taken on pellet. As ever we can highly recommend Zam Zams in Ross for fantastic food. Cant wait for the new season to kick off!

2 Barbel

Blank - lost a good fish pound and a quarter + in heavy water.

2 Trout

Nice looking Beat, safe car parking in the church grounds. River was in good condition so we explored the beat fishing a few swims below the islands and then a few swims in the upper meadow. We stuck with the tried and tested Pellet and feeder approach and although bites were generally few and far between but we managed a couple of small Barbel and a couple of decent Chubb before the night drew in. Thanks to W&UF for the pleasure of fishing on our favourite river and apologies for the late catch report.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

A blizzard and 3" snow on the A470 at the Storey Arms, after overnight rain following a dry week, set the scene. Weather was cold (4C/39F)cloudy and drizzling all day. The river was colouring up, cold (5C/42F)and rising on arrival. [Yesterday Terry had said it was 'gin clear and in superb condition', whilst giving great advice on where to fish.]
Fly fished Beats 5, 6, 3 and 2 using 1" Brass yellow / black tube of F/S1 line, giving up early afternoon when the river was like chocolate with tree trunks and rubbish coming down - I now see that the Llanstephan gauge had gone up overnight from 1'7" to 2'9" and was out of sight submerged as at midday.
Needless to say, no fish caught or even seen.
PS: Herd of inquisitive bullocks guarding the gate from the Old Stable Block to the river caused a worrying delay to my lunch...

Back at White House for a third season.
A last minute change in weather forecast, thanks Beeb, and sadly the fly rod remained in the truck. Not to worry, rain and wind don't stop you spinning..... One kelt at about 24" and a pike; not what we want but better than working for a living!

1 Pike, 1 Other