Feedback & Reports

I got Skunked.

Fly fished Wyebank am but no luck. Moved on to Courtfield late morning and fished all the way down from the top of Leg Meadow down to the Willow run with spinner. Only joy was 2 pike from below metal steps. Mid afternoon a large pod of salmon started moving through the Willow run including some very large fish head and tailing. Despite reverting back to the fly I couldn't get any takes so I assume they were just intent on running on the good water.

2 Pike

35" cock salmon from Coleman's ( middle of the river above the rocks) in high water on a Flying C, covered in sea lice, adeptly netted by Joe Cobley (Ghillie) who measured the fish and reported the chart to indicate 16.5lbs.
Later caught a similar length, well mended kelt from the road bridge part of The Dukes, also on a Flying C.

1 Salmon

First time out this season and first time ever on Upper Bigsweir. I have to say that overall I am very impressed with the beat and cannot wait to get back on there with a foot or so off the guage (? - see below). Neither Nathan or I managed to connect, but we saw several very good fresh fish showing in the cockpits,sunken tree and later in Little Stream. The wading was quite easy, but deep in places - once you got into the water (see below)

There are a couple of points would help to turn this into a very nice fishery;
1) Cutting some steps down to the water - ok there are a few ladders, but on the day we were there most looked as if they dropped into 6ft of water! The bankside access is very poor in places and I wouldn't recommend to those who cannot climb.
2) Some bankside clearance would improve casting/fishing lines. Maybe because the water was high this became more obvious, as some of the bushes and general bankside scrub made spey casting impossible
3) I understand the hut is for private/syndicate use, however use of the toilet would have been welcomed (it's a bugger having to head into Monmouth in your waders) - female anglers take note.
4) It would help to have some pool markers and an idea of the ideal heights - there is a gauge in the beat but it doesn't have any meaningful value unless you either know the beat or have some idea of the best heights - could be part of the information sent when booking. (this applies to other beats)
5) The entrance from the road is a bit hairy considering the speed most seem to drive along the A466 - be careful when pulling in or out of the gate.

Lovely to be out on the Wye again and shall be back.

Carl

Fished the top of the beat with a spinner and the bottom of the beat with the fly. Had a fish on and off at the top of the beat and saw plenty of salmon pushing through from the butresses and into the shallow run above. An enjoyable day.

Nil caught.

On arrival, no one there to open gate, kept pushing buzzer and waited for ages and eventually let ourselves in. Your instructions said to report to Estate Office on arrival but it was locked with no one there! Upper beat barely fishable at all, only one decent casting spot on the whole length, water coloured and fast flowing. One small trout taken on wet March Brown. Very disappointed with the Glanusk service and fishery.

1 Trout

One Kelt in Corner Tree on a sunk line and 2" copper Willie Gun. However, best looking Kelt I've ever caught! Proportions were perfect and firm, just a little ragged on top of tail fin, the weedy take and fight until some fireworks when in at the side in 2 mins had me thinking Kelt all the way in until it swam off! Lovely fish whatever and enjoyable day fishing the Maddox, Corner Tree and Vanstone inspite of gusty winds and some rain.
Don't use the river side track on left bank, leave the car before the fishing starts true left bank or drive up the field (middle not bank side) as mentioned in a previous report - my wife got the car stuck when collecting me, though we only took 2 hrs getting out unlike the chap above!
Many thanks as ever.

1 Other

Good conditions but blank (1 pike on Flying C). No salmon seen or taken. Few canoes.

1 Pike

6 fish, lost about 3, used small mepps.

6 Trout