Feedback & Reports

After guiding S and N yesterday they tried on their own. They said the canoe traffic was even worst during the day. Again the fish were caught early and late. At one point during the day they had 5 people diving in and swimming around in the swim. To be fair one chap had lost his camera over the side. They didn't find it! I suggested they asked the divers to bring back a few feeders. There must be 100's down there. No wonder they didn't catch for a while after this. Still 9 barbel a couple of 8lbs and a beauty of 10lbs 4oz all weighed of course. Not sure how many chub they caught but there must have been some. Nothing like the beauty of 5lbs 12oz the previous day.
Over the 2 day period they only lost 3 feeders. I know when I first fished the swim I lost 10 in one day. Thats why local knowledge is helpful. This was their first visit to the Wye and certainly not the last.

9 Barbel

Unless you count chucking out a feeder for Barbel, my first day's fishing on the Wye. Crikey, it's a bit different to the Lugg. Fishing a team of spiders, I picked up the odd Grayling in most of the runs/glides I fished before latching onto a pod of fish in a non-descript looking piece of water just upstream of the Bachawy. Some quality fish. Somewhat surprisingly, no Trout - but a handful of Salmon Parr. Tres bonne.

15 Grayling

One fish 1.5 to 2lb, two others about half to three-quarters of a pound. I kept the biggest fish. All were caught on nymphs.
Accessing the river is not easy. The banks on almost the whole length are heavily overgrown with bracken, balsam and brambles but once you reach the river it is a lovely piece of water.
When I arrived I put 9 cormorants off the water. I saw a mink at close range, also otter spraint and footprints. How do the fish survive?
Worth noting that there is no sign on the gate to say it is Ashford House. That may be worth a mention on the directions to the beat.

3 Trout

Fished from 4 o clock until dark. All fish caught from faster water at top of beat on boilie and pellet.

7 Barbel, 1 Chub

A common carp of about 2lb. Both the carp and the chub (1lb) were in mint condition. Caught using sweetcorn and luncheon meat baits on a size 12 with 3lb bs bottom.
A perfect morning, but ultimately finished around lunchtime as was descended on by around 30 ramblers, picnickers and dogs. Did a litter pick around lake shore before leaving.

1 Chub, 1 Other

Fly only. Zero fish, plenty of joy riding canoes. At this time of year and all things considered not worth the £85.

A beautiful venue, would not have mattered if I did not catch (only two small browns) superb day! Thank you very much, I will be back!

2 Trout

Very disappointing day. Contrary to advice following heavy rain a few days before, the river was very low and absolutely no chance of a salmon being in there. But it was a very beautiful spot and a great place for a picnic, so will return to try again.

1 Grayling

Great looking bit of river but struggled to find fish. One 4lb chub after putting baits in countless fishy looking spots. May try again in winter.

1 Chub

Hot day, arrived around 1pm to find a very, very overgrown beat, walked the whole length looking for a place where 2 of us could fish together as my partner is not very experienced. Sadly there weren't any. Most pegs that were accessible could take one angler with a bit of kit. I am not averse to jungle fishing but on this day really couldn't be bothered getting the machete out. River was low and almost stagnant at the bottom end.
The people we observed fishing on the other bank were happily casting to within a few meters of the WUF bank, not the first time I've seen this here.