Feedback & Reports

What a fantastic place! I think we were very lucky in that the river was in absolutely perfect condition with plenty of colour. We started off in a couple of swims in the middle of the beat at about 7am. The sun was already quite warm. Not having fished the Wye before we were unsure what to expect. Eventually we settled in a swim at the far end of the beat that seemed slightly deeper. Within half an hour we had the first barbel at around 3.5lbs. A lovely start. My friend caught this one and I was really pleased for him at it was his first barbel. He is more of a sea angler but it is getting the hang of this barbel fishing thing. He ended up with five other barbel up to around 5.5 lb, thoroughly beating the expert (me). He also had a nice conditioned chub. I ended up with 2 nice barbel slightly larger at around 6lb. We packed up around midday. The sun shone all day but it didnt put the fish off at all. It seemed that the more feed that went in the better it got. The landscape and surroundings are quite beautiful and we never saw a person all day. Our tactics were quite simple. We used 2lb test rods, 3oz feeders on 10lb mainline with 10lb hook lengths around two feet long. Bait was boilees and we filled the feeder with halibut crush ground bait and small halibut/feedstim pellets. We stayed in a farm cottage in a lovely quiet rural location at Felton, North of Hereford. The cottage was booked through Sykes cottages and is also thoroughly recommended. It took about half an hour to get to the river. We will be back.

Arrived about 0900, river up and coloured but looked great for Barbel Fishing. Split up and I tried up stream and JT decided to fish near the hut, no joy for either, both wandered down to the end of the beat, again no joy, sun beating down and hard work.

I decided to fish the middle of the beat, and just as JT decided to join me I had my first Barbel about 7LB, three more followed biggest 11LB. JT had 7 Barbel, biggest 10lb. I lost a great fish last cast of the day, all fish caught on Pellet.

A beautiful location - thanks.

On a falling, but still coloured river, we enjoyed a good day, sharing a catch of 30 barbel (to 6lb) and 6 chub between us. In the fast flow the barbel made up for their lack of size by tearing off downstream. A most enjoyable day: the weather was kind and we watched hobbies over the far bank woods. Thanks as always to Colin, the keeper, whose hard work ensures we had good access and fishable swims.

Wyebank unfishable due to extra water. Fished ferry pool on Dons advice. I barbel 5 1/2lb barbel and 1 medium chub. Tried steps later on but no interest. Enjoyed day in lovely surroundings. Thanks Don for your help.

Manufactured 35 mins on way back from work. With river at 2ft 6" I dipped into the bridge pool. 4th cast right in the neck line pulled away and a bright silver 12lb cock fish was the result. Now had 25mins so moved down rapidly towards the rocks. On the way had a slam take mid river and very strong fish roared around pool, twice having 100 yards of line out. Thought I was into a Wye special and phoned for assistance. Shortly after assistance arrived fish showed for first time and it was only a colouring hen of around 17lb. Landed it just in time to rush back to car and get back in time to pick up kids from creche.

22 Barbel to 9Lbs.
4 Chub to 6Lbs.

22 Barbel to 9Lbs.
4 Chub to 6Lbs.

First ever session on this beat. River was 8 feet up but starting to drop back. Fished peg 4 with 4oz feeder approx three rod lengths out and parallel with downstream tree. Two big (4lb plus) chub were followed by 4 barbel all around the 8lb mark. Popped home for lunch then returned to fish peg 3 which produced a good brace of barbel at 8lb 7 oz and 9lb 4oz. Returning on thursday for further "education". Lovely venue, reasonable parking and Don is just such a helpful chap.

On the recommendation of Seth I started 3 days of fishing on the upper Usk in the hope of decent river conditions following the recent heavy rainfall. Good advice Seth! This was a cracking beat. Good variety of water and great fishing. Caught 8 trout to about a pound mainly on nymphs, but one on a dry. Saw one otter and had a great day. cheers WUF, good work.

Colour of river spot on - decent level - despite this only 2 caught. Both near stream entrance. Both caught on pellets.