Feedback & Reports

Fished Beat 1 (Dukes) and Beat 2. No Salmon seen or felt. Water temperature around 45F and unfortunately risen by ~6" following rain on Friday (from 11" to 1'5"on Fownhope gauge). Main river coloured (below calf depth bottom visible) but clearing, however River Monnow bringing in rich chocolate coloured water. Overcast and damp all day - a cold day's fishing.

Fished fly and spin, tough day as it always is this time of year. No salmon caught by myself and R. Thanks and regards.

Overcast and very still. We fished by stalking for rising trout then casting 3.5cm shallow diving lipped crank baits and 1/8oz copper buzz blades on ultralight gear (0-5g rods, 10lb 0.06mm braid, 40cm fluorocarbon leader). Between three of us (father and two sons) we caught 13 hard fighting Rainbow Trout in a little over 4hrs. Superb fishing, and beautiful venue.

13 Trout

The morning drizzle relented around lunchtime but with the water still very cold, it proved to be a challenging day. Despite our best efforts with pellet, maggot, cheese-paste and meat, there were few signs of fish, with the barbel remaining elusive throughout the day. C H did, however, manage to entice 3 chub, all perfectly conditioned fish weighing 3lb 2oz, 3lb 9oz and 3lb 12oz. Two out-witted by a small halibut pellet and one by luncheon meat.
Great to see the darting kingfishers and soaring buzzards (less happy to see at least 3 cormorants overhead through the day). Overall, as always, a day on the river was good for the spirit.

3 Chub

Sporadic LDO hatch from 1200 for two hours. The odd fish moved and one of 11 inches was released. A happy start.

1 Trout

Swim feeder using meat, maggot and pellet. Not a bite between us. Fished lower end of beat, very slippery banks and strong flow.

Low water temperatures meant no Barbel - occassional fish reported from anglers but we never encounterd them. Very late evening chub and an 8lb pike was the sum of two days fishing. Lots of lost feeders and ledgers in the boulders. Sunday 10th saw another decline in the weather. Nothing caught.

1 Chub, 1 Pike

Last of 3 days on the Wye, returning to Wyastone leys after a day in between at How Caple. General conditions remained good for time of year. Fished from around 09.30 to around 14.00. No action at all. Probably not helped by chain saws, tree felling and general commotion on opposite bank as club prepared the section for Salmon anglers by destroying bankside cover. Not the most peaceful days fishing we have enjoyed on the Wye.

Started on upper beat. I stuck out for 1 chub on meat. Noisy pike anglers on opposite bank. Went back to lower beat and caught 3 barbel on maggot and feeder as yesterday. Thanks Wye & Usk.

2 Trout, 1 Grayling, 3 Barbel, 5 Chub

No salmon caught - a couple of Kelts moving. Met 2 other Guys after Salmon - seemed they had more patience than me as they stayed after I left to go and watch the Rugby ! I hope they had some luck.