Feedback & Reports

I can report just 1 x 14" out of season grayling.
I've come to the conclusion that Wednesday's big slow-moving fish which came off in deep water was a chub - I've seen a monstrous one lying in the same pool.

Well, I'm certainly finding Monnow Valley quite a challenge although I'm learning places to scramble in and out and I may start taking a coil of rope with me . The conclusions I'm drawing is that it contains quite a number of large trout, they aren't fished for that much because they are so hard to get at, therefore if you see one rising and you do manage to present a fly to it, there is a very good chance of a solid take. But, and here's the problem, they all live next to a snag. Not much rising in the cold winds of the 8th, but one which was rising accepted a Tan Klinkhammer, waved a big black tail at me and dived straight under the fallen tree he was lying next to with the rod bent double. Ah me, better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all....

Abergavenny Town Water is fishing OK, by the way, when not too cold and windy...I seem to be able to get them to the net there.

No salmon even seen, let alone caught! Five small trout caught and kept one at 1 1/2 lbs. River looking beautiful.
All good things.

A quite cold, windy day on the Usk.

Caught 2 WBT about 8" and 11". Lost 1 very good fish, snapped leader on first run. Caught both fish on dry, a CDC Olive Spinner.

Lovely beat, although wading a little tricky at top end.

A very successful guiding/tuition day with Frank Williams, most informative and enjoyable.

Despite very difficult windy conditions 2 fish were landed plus a number of lost takes on a combination of dry fly and nymphs.

A Fantastic day. Cliff caught 8 trout and 3 grayling and I caught exactly the same. Cliff's fish were bigger though as he had three 13" trout to my one. They were all of a remarkable aveage size though. All came to dry fly. We have caught 53 trout and 6 grayling between us in our last two visits to WUF waters.

Ty Newydd:
1x Grayling (10 inches), 9 x Trout (largest 9 inches)
caught on dry flies (GRHE and another light coloured dry) All fish returned.
Sporadic hatch of light coloured epehemeroptera (not sure what species!)

Penpont:
10 Trout, x3 12 inches, x1 16-18 inches (I have photographic evidence!). Took a bit of time getting to the net with my 4wt rod! 2 of the trout caught on a dry, remainder on weighted pheasant tail type bug. Good hatch of small dark olive type flies in the morning.

All in, a fantastic weekend fishing. Stayed at the Kilsby B&B in Llanyrtdd Wells - excellent and highly recommended.

First time at Ty-Newydd really nice stretch with great view from the lodge. A few fish rising through the day, but little signs of a sustained hatch. Took 12 Trout all on nymph and spider patterns, all small with best around 13in. Brother in law Paul took 3 small Trout, this being his 1st go at river fishing. River low and in need of some water, no Salmon seen.

Very enjoyable day which included finding a Slow Worm on a rock near the lodge,first time i have ever seen one,strange!thought it was a large lobworm untill saw a forked tongue!

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.