Feedback & Reports

I fished part of this beat from 11.00-1500 for two days this last week. Both days hot and sunny. First day blank, the second had a 9" wbt plus 4 others about 5-6 inches. I used dry fly (my preference regardless of trout wishes are elk hair caddis and klinkhammer, mainly black). Although fair smattering of fly life, upwings midges etc. (sorry my identification powers are limited due to limited experience), there were very few rises. Very enjoyable time of course.

5 Trout

Parking is in a a very small layby and easily missed. Once you've squeezed your car into it, there's a short walk though the meadow to the river.
Like many of the wild stream beats, this is ankle-deep in most places and a lot of it seemed unfishable, given both the low water level and the low-hanging tree cover. The latter is, however, ideal for those anglers wishing to recreate jungle scenes from their favourite Vietnam war films.

Further up, the beat opens up and short-range overhead casting is possible. It's a beautiful, remote location with stunning scenery but I saw nothing moving and caught nothing.

A sunny sunday water level low fished cage feeders with a mixture of hook baits from pallet to sweet corn and meat on hair rigs. The barbel all came in the morning with some good chub to finish the day off.

3 Barbel, 9 Chub

Hot and sunny conditions, river level good, most fish caught from 6pm onwards. Limited number of swims. Anglers from opposite bank wading across to fish the bank we had paid good money to fish, we agreed this was not an ideal situation, we understand the fishing rights on the opposite bank are held by holiday cottages. However, good sport in a nice setting.
WUF Note: On single bank beats such as How Caple Court there is always a chance that people will be fishing opposite you. If this is of concern, please check the website before booking - there are many double bank beats to choose from.

11 Barbel

2 eels. 1 about 2 1/2lbs, 1 about 3lbs

1 Trout, 6 Barbel, 20 Chub, 2 Other

Good fishing despite bright sun, fish caught on French leader and nymphs. Grayling to 15 inches, trout to 12. Sport tailed off about 2.30ish.

7 Trout, 10 Grayling

Three large fish (2 @ 14" and 1 @ 16") caught on the bottom part of the beat under heavy cover where casting from a distance was tricky so I fished slow and carefully. The rest of the fish, incuded one more larger fish (14") and six smaller (up to 8"), were caught on the top half of the beat which is much more open. All fish were tempted up to the same Adams Parachute which miraculously lasted me the whole day - that's never happened before!
There was quite a lot of hatch during the day although very little rising fish, and the water was low and clear. I started at 10am and walked off the top of the beat at 6pm. Great day.

10 Trout

A difficult day on The Rectory. Very low water and fish hard to come by, after trying spots which normally produce, moved a round a lot and picked up a few, but no real size. An otter greeted me on my arrival which I could try a blame for the bad fishing, but I don't believe that to be the case.
P.S. I was the only person booked on the beat but there was a guy fishing late afternoon directly above the bridge on the right hand bank, I forgot my Map so was unsure if that was part of the beat until I got home. My Friend fished Gromain and said he saw 2 anglers turn up, one armed with a spinning rod, which I believe is not allowed after the end of August. So must assume they were poaching.

4 Trout, 7 Grayling

Water was low, flowing very fast on Swan Island. Fished a lead with pellet. Each fish 4.5lbs in excellent condition.

2 Barbel

Very bright day, clear low water tried all sorts of patterns. No luck this time but I'll be back!