Feedback & Reports

1 x cock salmon, 33 inches, on size 8 Bann Shrimp fished off a fast sink tip. A coloured fish, but hog-backed and deep-bodied, very strong, which in the heavy water had me trotting down the bank at a fair old lick in order to get below him and come to conclusions.

Stephen might be interested to hear that, inspired by the advice in his latest news letter, I had the old Bruce and Walker standing by in reserve and made up ready for dredging: a full sinking line, 5 foot leader and a beast of a Red Francis specially tied on a heavy brass tube for the occasion. This was how the Victorians fished, wasn't it? As the sink tip worked this morning, the deep sinker wasn't used, but I promise to try it soon.

Fished the middle beat. Strong downstream wind for most of the day; river clear and dropping but the level a tad high, averaging about 0.65m. Little fly and hardly a rise all day. Had five grayling; four of 12-13" and one of 15", plus two small trout. Fished duo and Czech nymphed - three fish taken off the top and the others on nymphs. Tough!

Beautiful setting river was a bit up & colored we fished one rod for salmon & one trout rod. Saw some big colored Salmon jumping but no takers except for 3 nice brownies on a monkey fly. I fished prince nymphs & tungsten hares ears landed 3 browns lost a few & lots of rattles. Really enjoyed the day will return again when watet is lower.

Beautiful setting river was a bit up & colored we fished one rod for salmon & one trout rod. Saw some big colored Salmon jumping but no takers except for 3 nice brownies on a mmonkey fly. I fished prince nymphs & tungsten hares ears landed 3 browns lost a few & lots of rattles. Really enjoyed the day will return again when watet is lowet.

Had a lovely day on this stretch of the river. Started at the top albeit a little late. After missing quite a few bites due to not having a great deal of experience on rivers and the last time I was on any river was well over a year ago, I opted for touch ledgering which resulted in two nice Chub around the 3 pound mark. A long spell of not catching anything (and a little nap as the weather was very nice) I forced myself to move which I should have done hours before. This resulted in much more action and soon I found myself with a beauty of a Barbel of around 7 Pound. Spurred on by this I tried to find more Barbel but in vain. Moving down stream did the trick again tho and soon I reeled in 3 more decent Chub with the biggest being just under 6 plb. For me are record so chuffed to bits. All fish were caught on meat. Had to go home before dark for other obligations and although I'm sure many out there would say that would be meager result, for me a joy of a day.
Thanks WUF I will most certainly be back on this stretch. On to Wye Bank tomorrow for some more action I hope.

2 Brown trout caught (estimated 1.5 to 2 lb). One on a teal blue and silver and the other on a black pennel. Water level high which significantly reduced the amount of fishable water but still plenty on the South Western side. Managed to fall in while wading near the river at the southern end (beware the sudden drop-off!) but warm enough to carry on soggy. Lovely location, will be back.

The river was well up and slightly coloured which made for tricky wading. An intermittent, stiff downstream breeze added to the challenge (or should I say excuses?). With no sign of fish feeding we tried a variety of tactics employing dries, wets and nymphs. Ultimately we managed to winkle out six trout between us, all to weighted nymphs fished down and across. The best was a plump, feisty fish of about 1.25 lbs. A beautiful and interesting stretch of river.

Nil return. Beautiful place to fish, but no luck.

11lbs hen salmon caught at Red Barn on the Usk on an orange Rapala at 8.15pm last night. Water was still quite high and coloured. I had fished the fly for 2 hours with no success, turned to the rapala, briefly hooked a fish with my first cast then landed the 11lbs fish shortly afterwards. Slightly coloured and returned. Several other fishing showing.

My first trip to Craig Llyn was aimed at trout and grayling. On arrival the generous owner suggested, even challenged me to catch a salmon instead. Well always up for an angling challenge, my willing change of tactics to a heavy unnamed copper wire fly eventually landed a cracking 16 pounder from the fast but deep Abercymryn pool. I found this naturally rocky and multi pooled beat well maintained and benefitting from some really exciting opposite bank fishing. The three parking areas are fairly close to the river. With the Elan dams now overflowing and upland bogs fully saturated, given a little more rain the autumn prospects for this way up river beat look very good indeed.
The beat looks ideal for all types of fly fishing. But be prepared as the season fades for the unexpected. Big trout on salmon flies as well as the contrary. Low water salmon on tiny trout flies. All in all a very exciting up river beat that kept me occupied all day long. I intend several more visits. Thank you.