Feedback & Reports

On arrival to Fawley Cross and the entrance to the farm it wasn't obvious which route through the farm we should take to the river and after 2 failed attempts to work it out we finally ended up asking I local land worker directions. We arrived at the top of the river bank not too sure exactly where we should park, so we asked the farm worker who we followed down the field from the farm. He was actually down there to prime up an extraction pump which was right above the pegs we intended to fish. This pump ran intermittently on 3 separate occasions through the day for about 45 minutes breaking the otherwise peaceful tranquility with very loud noise emissions and a stomach turning smell of diesel fumes, not what you expect to encounter from the Wye Usk Foundation and £22 for the privilege . Not to be put off we had a walk up and down the stretch to find the river very low and in most parts only about 2ft deep on the lower gravel runs. We took a walk past the extraction pump upstream but having walked a good 300 yards could find no accessible pegs to fish and in any case the entire bank was cordoned off with an electric fence to keep in the cattle. Disappointed was an under statement! We both decided to fish from the concrete plinth as it looked the most likeliest of areas where we felt Barbel would hold up at the end of a run off in slightly deeper water.
The river was carrying a lot of leaves and loose streamer weed making it impossible to keep a clean line or hookbait. Still full of enthusiasm we set about it. My friend chose to fish a combination of pellets ranging between 8 mm to 19mm "He didn't have a bite all day". I decided to fish luncheon meat having earlier in the week had some success with it on the Severn. I too struggled too to get any indications or bites and did try many variations on bait. Line and hooksizes. I ended up with 1 small Barbel about 1.5lb and later about 4pm hooked 1 larger Barbel but it took my 10lb mono hook length around a rock and broke it. I also caught an Eel on the same method fishing luncheonmeat on the bomb. Loose feeding hemp and 4mm pellets. All in all a disappointing day in a lovely location which was spoiled by an an annoying extraction pump and the condition of the river on the day. We wont fish this area again mainly due to the extraction pump and the lack of fish caught. Definitely poor value for money.

2 Barbel, 1 Other

Bright and sunny, needed to stay till dusk, will try again next week.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

Good day, met Don, nice bloke. A lunar landing craft would be useful but mine was in for an oil change, still preferable to the brothel like ease of a commercial set up. Travel as light as possible or take Sherpas. Best bait, caster. Used one plastic and one real on size 14 hook, that way there is always something on the hook. Barbel to 3lb. but great fun, many thanks.

5 Barbel, 1 Chub, 2 Other

20 barbel to 10lb 14oz and 9lb 10z 9 chub to 6lb 110z. Another great day with some big chub and barbel, some great fishing by pushing into bankside areas of Legg meadow which haven't been fished before.

20 Barbel, 9 Chub

As previous report, New Zealand style nymph. Access still poor but someone had been above second weir and a slightly more obvious path evident. Came across some float fishing gear stuck in weed in river!

3 Trout

4 trout caught on worm with popup.

4 Trout

Bit downcast and fairly cold when I arrived at 09:45 - directions where good. Rather windy, which picked-up over the middle part of the day. Parked at the North side, six other anglers (worm fishing, however, two had fly rods at the ready).
Spent over two hours fly fishing trying all sorts of lures & nymphs, but no luck. Spoke to a friendly angler who stated that it was too windy so fish are deep down; he was kind enough to give me a home made wet fly (fry)- 9 foot sink tip, second cast hooked, but lost it before landing.
Next cast hooked into a pound and half rainbow; second followed 20 mins later over a pound and half rainbow - fly was getting knocked about, so changed tactics.
Fish starting to rise, floating line with dark hooper (14) three bit through leader, one hooked off; landed two over two and half pounds.
Could of reach my limit and beyond if I had stayed on, decided to head home at 16:30 - at this stage, wind was calming down, sun out, hot; but promised to be a good evenings fishing off the top - insect life begin to come onto the water from the trees & grass.
Great day and location.

4 Trout

Fishing slower than expected but still productive. 5 barbel to 9lb 3oz on pellet and chub to 4lb 8oz. Water very clear.

5 Barbel, 2 Chub

A beautiful evening on the river (thunderstorms held off 'til the drive home.) Greeting from the usual kingfisher. Very sporadic hatch. Only 1 or 2 risers. No sign of salmon today, top or bottom. Rain dance steps a little rusty.

2 Trout

Glorious day on a lovely stretch but the river was exceptionally low. One resident salmon moved at the bottom end of Llanobery. Excellent brown trout in evidence. A quiet morning but fish moving in afternoon sun from 2pm onwards. Three BT taken and returned safely. Congratulations to WUF: a good website, an easy and efficient booking system and helpful staff when dealing with subsequent email questions. Th only tiny glitch is that one right turn is missing from the directions to the beat. All round good experience. Slightly disappointed with The George in Brecon but can recommend Roberto's close by for supper.

3 Trout