Feedback & Reports

Lots of grayling (including 3 in the 17-18" range) & 5 0r 6 OOS WBT came to a variety of methods from heavy bugs & nymphs to dry fly. We found fish both in the faster runs and in slower, deeper glides. Water level was good as was clarity, which did not seem to be affected by the worsening weather conditions on the day. The leaves were a constant problem but that's par for the course at this time of year! More goosanders were seen diving after fish in one of the deeper pools.

River low and clear, day was spent in search of pike. Only a small jack during the day, though a nice mid double as the light began to fall made our day.

Caught some junior grayling around 8" to 10" in the morning followed by 4 larger ones early afternoon 18" best fish. Also a few oos brown trout all in good condition. A cold day and started to rain at 1pm so called it a day. Lovely looking upper wye beat at this time of year. Lots of leaves to contend with. Fished trotted maggott.

Arrived at about 12, bit later than anticipated. River was up about 3ft and running through at a steady but not impossible rate. Only fished 4 swims in the first field due to the time. First about half way up, managed to lose a chub on the second cast. After an hour moved up about a hundred yards, lost a barbel (I presume, as it took off like a train) on the first cast. As it reached the far bank a salmon jumped as the fish went past, it then threw the hook in some weed. Landed 1 at 7 1/2lb on the next cast, absolutely pristine condition. After that not a thing.
Finished off in the first swim near the path. Do not fish this swim, it is a tackle graveyard.
All in all a good day. Also saw a pair of kingfishers and about an hour before sunset a Barn Owl flew out of the woods on the far bank and gave a hunting display for about ten minutes. A stunning piece of river, will definitely book again.

1 Barbel, 1 Chub, 1 Grayling, 1 WBT. Baits used pellet maggot and bread.

Only 1 chub at 2lbs caught from bottom swim. River was clear, we could not get any bites any where else on the beat.

9 chub to one rod and 4 chub to other rod. Biggest chub 6lb. Proper old beasty weather, very cold.

After a "wash off" in August, I was looking forward to a day on this reknowned Irfon beat. Three weeks of weather watching provided probably the best water and weather conditions I've had all year. Ok, we can expect fallen leaves on and under the water, I've dealt with this in the past, a pain but par for the course at this time of year. I had success the day before with dry's further up the Irfon but thought I'd try a quick search via the duo or "mixed grill" as I heard it refered to recently ,ha ha! Nothing was proved by this but noticing some subtle rises on the glide downstream from the chapel, I tied on the "go to" Klink but nothing. Several rig changes and leaf removals later I gave in, contemplating some instruction next season because with most of the boxes ticked today, it must be me!

First blank on the Wye. Water running quite low and clear for this time of year. Temperature had dropped suddenly the day before and we had the first frost of the Autumn overnight, so I guess that combined with bright sunshine all day wasn't ideal.
Fished feeder with meat bolies and tried 5 different swims, but not a touch all day. Beautiful location - lots of wildlife, including buzzards, a peregrine and a barn own hunting and this stretch certainly looks the part for barbel - will probably return next summer to have another go.

Fished Cammarch Hotel bottom beat between about 10am and 4pm. Cold, with ice on the puddles in the car park. Water clear and very fishable. About 0.4m on the Cilmery Gauge. No luck whatsoever when searching the water with nymphs, whether they be heavy or light. Not even a tug. Two of us managed 6 grayling to 17" and a 1lb trout by casting to occasional rising fish. A dry Adams did the job for me. Lots of leaves which were a nuisance, and it was almost necessary to wear a hard hat to protect oneself from falling acorns.