Feedback & Reports

As first visit to beat, spent a long time walking and assessing conditions before deciding to fish Marl bed, but in very bright conditions with water running low and clear, fish clearly were not co-operating. Moved a few times to try different swims including very snaggy Bridge swim where rigs lost. As had long drive back home, left just after lunch with no fish caught.

3 Barbel, 5 Chub

1 x 30 inch coloured hen fish on size 8 Bann Shrimp double from the Boat Pool. The river was low (11 inches on the Llanstephan gauge) but it was absolutely pouring with rain this morning and a little increase in colour and the smell of fresh water coming down may have been enough to bring a resident onto the take. That's it from me for a while; we're off to Spain on holiday (without fishing rods)!

1 Salmon

Tough day again following on from previous day but had a rather bizarre occurrence. Rained non-stop from first light until about 1300 hrs then turned into T-shirt weather until the sun went down. Started in Fallen Tree but moved to Meadow mid-morning. Hooked a slow moving powerful barbel first cast in meadow (snag swim) which unfortunately found a rock and my hook-link parted. Felt like a very good fish so wasn't best pleased. Moved to swim next to waterworks mid-afternoon (on Don's advice). Hooked a barbel on third cast and made sure it didn't find any underwater obstructions this time. When I went to unhook it there were two hooks in its bottom lip, one of them attached to my severed hooklink from the morning! It was mine beyond any doubt (I even counted the number of turns on my knotless knot as a final check). How amazing was that? I was using barbless hooks in case anyone is wondering so was surprised it hadn't dropped out. Two bites all day and both from the same fish. Took away the frustration of losing it. Was fairly convinced I had lost a double but I hadn't as it went 8 lbs 5 ozs. PS left my rod rests in the snag swim!

1 Barbel

No fish caught but wonderful to be on Usk, albeit on low water with slim hope of fish running with heavy rain at back end.

Rain all morning, rising water levels by lunchtime. No fish caught but did see an otter not bothered by my presence.
Lovely beat and I will return to try again.

A rainy morning, a few salmon seen coming in the Green Bank, one pull. In the afternoon, brown water from the Clettwr, a 3.5lb seatrout fell to a size 8 "Evie"

2 Trout, 1 Sea Trout

First visit to Upper Bigsweir. Beautiful location. Water was low and weather dreadful that morning, wind and rain but my fishing guest had a 16 pound cock fish from the Little Run on a small Cascade tube. Very powerful fish returned safely and in good health.

1 Salmon

A disappointing day. Arrived early and as it got light so the rain started and it hammered down for next six or seven hours. The River was low and did rise a faction but didn't really change a great deal. I tried numerous different methods and locations but nothing forthcoming. I baited some areas and fished a static bait and also tried rolling meat. My first blank.

Very heavy rain all morning but river very low and clear.
Began fishing at 1pm. Tough fishing even in the hotspot.
One barbel to 6lb on pellet.

1 Barbel