Feedback & Reports

J.H. caught her first Wye salmon. 10lb from Vanstone Pool on an Ally Shrimp and floating line. Fish safely returned.

One of the most prolific and varied mayfly hatches I have seen for years. However although we could have expected the river to be "boiling" the fish simply weren't interested as rises were rare and usually just one-offs. Maybe it was the cold air temperature, marginal drop in barometric pressure or maybe they had already gorged themselves on similar hatches in previous days. We fished, nymphs, dries, emergers - large and small but only had 4 missed fish to show for it.

Having read other reports, I think the access issues are exaggerated but it is essential to follow the WUF recommendation and wear chest waders to get the most out of the beat. The friendly (non-fishing) owner gave the impression that many people are turning up with thigh waders which simply won't do if you want to enjoy your day.

Excellent service all round and we'd be happy to give this beat another crack !

3 trout, 1 grayling. Missed a biggie! Not sure what on earth it was.

1 grilse, probably about 8 lbs, returned of course! Looked like a hen, taken on a size 12 allys and on corner tree beat going into The Vanstone (in front of the croy). Angler was A.J. Mixed conditions, sunny / cloudy / occasional rain on account of the very windy conditions. Rising air pressure.

Ken and I had fantastic days fishing yesterday even though it was quite hard going because of a cold wind, but that?s fishing I guess and we still really enjoyed it.
Please find below our catch returns for the day. Thank you again for a fantastic time and the excellent service that the Wye and Usk foundation provide.

Steve - 12 trout to 14?, 2 taken, caught on Czech Nymphs, Dark PTN, Black Gnat/Klink.
Ken ? 5 trout to 14?, 1 taken, caught on Black Gnat/Klink.

Lyepole 27th, 2rods. In spite of horrible weather we had about a dozen fish each. Many on dries inbetween hailstorms!

Doldowlod 29th, 2 rods. Started well with a fine grayling on nymph followed by a 1.5lb trout on a BWO within the first half hour and then nothing, although the spectcular view of a peregrine stooping on a pigeon was fab.

Hergest 30th, 1 rod. heavy rain in the morning really helped matters. By lunchtime the feeder streams were putting a bit of colour in the water resulting in over 20 trout on PTNs. Most about 7", best about 11".

Lyepole May 1st, 1 rod. Lots of fish rising on bends but strong downstream wind made it tough. Managed around 10 trout on a size 20 hares ear sparkle gnat. Finished with a magnificent, although out of season, grayling well over 2lb. It fought fantastically in very fast water and then sat on the gravel at my feet for a minute recovering. Its flanks were lit up blue like a freshly landed sailfish. A wonderful end to a difficult but most enjoyable week. Thank you all for providing such a great service to the visiting angler.

Another very cold, windy day although the fish were rising well all afternoon. A few yellow mayfly and grannom keeping the trout interested.

Caught 6 brownies up to about 11". All wild fish - no blue spots. All on the dry fly from 1 deep pool 3/4 way down beat

One brown trout on a willie gun tube 1.5 inch.about a pound and a half. Two others lost. Not ideal levels for salmon fishing , but my casting came on leaps and bounds!

I had my best days fishing todate not in terms of quantity but quality and method of capture.

Catch =
1 of fingerling brownie approx. 4 inches caught on a home tied #16 gold head PTN.
2 of 9 inch brownies on PTN
1 of 12 inch brownie #16 parachute Adams
1 of 14 inch brownie #16 parachute Adams
1 of 16+ inch brownie #14 grey Klinkhammer - this is my personal best wild trout.

A superb stretch of water which I found very challenging and equally rewarding as a relative novice to fly fishing - thoroughly recommended!

River was looking good though was a cold day and windy, I am bit of a novice to this fly fishing but I did manage two takes and lost them. Once again lovely surroundings and a cracking beat!!! I will be back! Love it. :-)