Feedback & Reports

Our trip to the Ashford House stretch on the Usk last Thursday (April 18th) was a mixed bag. A strong cold wind with rain and hail showers did not prevent some brief hatches of olives in the middle of the day but we were unable to translate that into fish in the net. Nevertheless, when the sun came out it was a joy to be on the river bank shaking off the winter cobwebs and observing nature 'getting going' for 2013 (lots of lambs, two kingfishers). We saw a few trout rising, particularly at the top end near the bridge where access is difficult and disturbed two goosanders there (does this need to be reported elsewhere?). We both hope to return to the river when Spring has got into its stride. Thanks to the WUF for allowing us access to such a beautiful part of the world.

First time on this beat-clearly has lots of potential.
Around 1.4 on the EA Redbrook gauge, falling and clearing.
Despite being very well taught a new cast (to me)-a circle cast, many of the pools were difficult to cover. Judicious use of a pole saw would help a lot. I had got half way down the Slaughter Crib when a fish showed behind me- a quick manouvre upstream brought a 12lb Salmon. It took a heavy red Francis on a fast sink tip.

1 Salmon

Fished spinning, mostly the Legg Meadow Pool and Crib and Wood Crib. No joy apart from two pike (biggest about 8 lb) which provided moments of excitement. Saw one fish jump. Many thanks to Don for advice.

2 Pike

Arrived at 9a.m. to find river steady at 0.85m on the gauge and carrying a slight tint-encouraging.Showery and windy enough to test this embryonic speycaster. No luck with 3 hrs on the 15 footer. An excellent hatch of LDOs ensued at midday, accompanied by more than a smattering of march browns(the most I have seen in years). A few grannom appeared at 2pm. A feeding frenzy it wasn't. Must have seen at least 2 trout rise and didn't get a touch! Time for the river to wake from it's long hibernation.

First trip of the season on a new beat.From noon onwards there was a steady hatch of LDO's and a few march browns with the odd fish showing themselves.Due to a strong and blustry down stream wind and sporadic heavy rainstorms a dry fly could not be presented correctly.Two beautiful 13" fish did fall to a bead headed PTN making the day every thing it should be, a couple of hard won wild fish from a beautiful stretch of the Usk.Both fish were returned.

2 Trout

River falling and peat stain clearing. Warming up, trout rising to large dark olives - I think! As I was casting a 2.5" tube I didn't contact any of them - salmon didn't seem to want it either.

Hail, rain, wind, freezing.... No fish caught but enjoyed the scenery.

Fished a duo. Klinkhammer and nymph, fish took the nymph. Nice hatch around lunchtime. Should have caught more but missed plenty of strikes. Still cold, rainy and windy. Rivers started to colour and rise in the afternoon, called it a day at 4pm.

1 Trout

Fished for a hour in the morning and a couple of hours in evening. Water in excellent condition for the high water catches. A big fish showed in the Bridge pool and a solid pull in the same pool left me wondering.

Overcast day with high SW wind, thankfully somewhat warmer than recent arctic conditions. The river still quite high and slightly coloured. One 12" BT caught on gold head ptn. Some fly life but no fish rising. My first trip to Skenfrith, but I will be back as it has some lovely pools and it must be a great dry fly beat when the trout are rising.

1 Trout