Feedback & Reports

The river is still very low, but otherwise not too bad for grayling fishing, weather a little cooler than lately with a mixture of clouds and sunshine. The grayling were "picky" though, and only at times would take a dry fly properly and confidently. I could swear they come on to take when the sun comes out. As often at this time of year, quite a variety of insects on the surface but no particular or sustained hatch going on. We fished through the day with a mixture of methods, RE mostly with a French leader and nymphs, O B mostly with dry flies (Red Tag, Grayling Steel Blue, John Storey etc) and spiders, and after it all we ended up with exactly 14 grayling each. Nothing bigger than 15 inches, but they were mostly good ones, plus a collection of mostly small trout which liked the spiders and a 4 pound chub for RE, which took a nymph trundling down a gravel run. A super day, topped off with beer and a grill at the Wheelwright's Arms in Erwood.

16 Trout, 28 Grayling, 1 Chub

Lovely stretch of river, real stalkers paradise, if you are any good at it. There were several large fish seen but I get the feeling they saw me long before I saw them. I got two small trout on a small nymph under a klinkhamer but nothing else. I did make a mistake and took a 7'6" rod. I think given the water clarity, how spooky the fish are, the need for long casts using a long leader a 9' rod or even longer would be much more useful.

2 Trout

12 barbel and 2 chub all taken on 8 mil pellet with 4 mil pellet in feeder. 10 barbel between 5 pounds and 7lb 15oz
with 2 small fish of 1lb and 1lb 8ozs which must be a good sign for future stocks.

12 Barbel, 2 Chub

3 Trout, 1 Grayling

This was my first day of three gloriously warm September days at Holme Lacy. Had 11 barbel to over 8lbs and 14 chub.
Meet up with Colin again who was as friendly and informative as ever.

11 Barbel, 14 Chub

A very warm, sunny day (27C), with a slight breeze. River low. Five grayling, all nice fish, two of 1lb and 1.5lb. Six good brown trout: 5 up to 1lb, and one of 3lb plus (21 inches). I've caught quite a few wild browns of 2lb plus, but this fish was something else. It took at least 40 mins. to land, made six long, circling runs and six giant leaps (good old Maxima). Three groups of onlookers came and went, hoping to see the fish in the net. I tried to convinced myself that it was a salmon: it was a brown trout. I've never experienced anything like this before, even with sea trout of the same size It took 5 mins to revive, and then another 10 mins for the silt to clear (just to make sure it had gone). A good 2lb fish the next day also put up a good fight but was in the net within a few minutes. All fish on the dry fly (CDC Compara); de-barbded hooks for quick and easy release. Lovely beat. Would advise wading stick as rocks VERY slippery.

6 Trout, 5 Grayling

This is a nice stretch of water but unfortunately I never witnessed any fish activity whatsoever.

Best barbel was 8lb 12oz and the chub were up to about 3lbs. All caught on combinations of pellet. Bright day and river low.

20 Barbel, 9 Chub

Sorry not to have done this before. As you see, sadly no fish but with the river down to a trickle, not really surprising. A few fish showing but none of them hungry. We were using pretty standard flies ,usually 10 or 12 size. We were very well looked after by Instructor Chris Price and at least our casting has been improved during the week. I don't know if The Cottage of Content at Carey is on your list but you might like to add is as is quite outstanding.
Many thanks for arranging our week and our best wishes.

River low and clear, all fish taken on various pellet baits, best barbel 7lb 14ozs.

12 Barbel, 4 Chub