Feedback & Reports

River very low and clear despite some rain the previous night. Warm, fairly bright day. This made it difficilt not to spook fish but it did mean I saw a few fair sized ones as I frightened them. Fish were rising during a lot of the the session but it was difficult to determine what was causing this. There were a lot of small light olives (pale wateries?) and spinners in less numbers. Getting takes was difficult. The rises were dimples in the surface film. Went through the fly box. Hooked fish or caught them on size 18 f fly, ginked up ghre nymph and size 18 light olive klinkhamer. Lost a couple, one quite large and caught 3(1small,1 x 12ins,1 x 16ins.). All returned. Lovely day in peaceful surroundings. Very few campers,dogs etc at this time of year.

3 Trout

What a fantastic contrast to yesterday that saw a large bag of quality Chub. This time we trotted a large Avon style float with carp pellet fed heavily. The swim had some real pace running through it so a 10 gram Olivetti got the bait down to the barbel and they obliged us by feeding. 8 of them from 6-8lb and a solitary 4lb Chub On top of that we suffered 5 hook pulls.
I used to sit in front of a swim feeder which is a great method but catching fish like this on float tackle is so much more fun. Big thank you to Dave Harrelll who taught me the basics of this method. If anyone fancies catching Barbel on the float I thoroughly recommend calling Dave for a days guiding. Really enjoyable and hugely rewarding to be able to put it into practice afterwards.

8 Barbel, 1 Chub

3 Barbel, 2 Chub, 4 Other

River low, but a couple of Salmon seen moving. Ended up for the day with 4 Chub, none of them greater than 2lbs!
A suggestion, on the upper half of the beat the banks are high and ropes to help pull yourself out with would be a very useful addition.

Pegs dangerous when dry. Inaccessable in the wet. Sport from 5pm onwards.

4 Barbel

A complete contrast to the previous days fishing on the Lower beat. Weather had improved with warmer temperatures and slightly calmer winds. Water was still very clear despite the previous days rain. A small amount of fly activity, mostly small to medium Olives.
The fishing was excellent, with several Salmon parr (4-5") caught, all on dry fly. However, the highlights were my personal best Grayling of 18" taken on a weighted PTN just up from the bridge in the run under the trees. This was topped by my biggest wild brownie of just over 14" taken again on a weighted PTN (18), an absolute stunning fish. The rest of the grayling and brownies were between 8-12" and in magnificent condition.
This is a fantastic beat, with great variety and relatively easy to wade. A wading stick is still recommend. Another very peaceful setting in a beautiful part of Wales.

3 Trout, 3 Grayling, 6 Other

Rather windy day, not surprising considering the location. Wind blowing towards the dam; bay leading to main car park had fish rising - lots of sedge activity. However, too far for my fly casting skills - may of managed if I had waders.
Observation of two chaps in a boat drifting between the main section of the lake and bay catch a fair number of fish.
Note to self, take waders next time. All in all still a good day, even if I blanked.

No fish under 10" and a couple at 12" all fell to my favourite for 2104; a tan Adams Parachute. I fished a size 14 and 12 on a 3WT rod during a 7.5 hour shift to the top. If you fish with a pal doing the Middle Escley beat (as I did) then arrange to leave car keys and then drive his car to pick him up at The Bridge Inn in Michaelchurch Escley at the top of his beat; and then back to get your car at the bottom of Lower Escley beat. This will save you some hardcore hiking at the end of a long day fishing and if you have to wait a bit at the top of Middle Escley beat then don't sweat it, Bridge Inn does a great pint of Butty Bach.

7 Trout

4 Trout

An improvement on last week at Middle Hill Ct. River still low but settled opposite house where I believed the Mill Pool was at the lower half of beat. Top half of beat was far too low. Had two lovely Barbel in 5-6lb range, top condition and incredible fighters. Lost three others as they charged into weed. A lovely Chub in the first ten minutes as well. Saw big Perch patrolling in front of me but couldn't get them. Kingfishers to keep me company all day. Some canoeists but very respectful. Good parking and the cows were no trouble, kept their distance.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub, 2 Other