Feedback & Reports

Back for another go but unfortunately so was the weather and the crowds. This is a lovely and varied beat but it's definitely a place to avoid on a sun-baked weekend (a little unexpected in October!) if you want some peace and quiet, it was like Blackpool sea front at times.
Highlight of the day was being asked by a young lady "is it ok to swim in the river or will I get fish hooks in my feet?" - ??
From a piscatorial perspective 6 barbel & 3 chub were our reward for persistence, all caught towards last knockings.

The weather had cooled off considerably from the previous few days of Indian summer, although there were still fish rising to sedges and stone flies. Six fish caught; four grayling from 12" to 16" (the latter estimated at around 1.75 lb) and two out of season trout. All fish were caught on dries, mostly traditional patterns (double badger and red tags). Tried Czech nymphs in the rougher water, but didn't manage any takes.

Started fishing at 7am just off the orchard catching one 3lb chub around dinnertime. Very hot (hottest october 1st since records began) so we struggled to find any feeding fish, trying all methods in the pools at the lower end of the beat. We moved back to the top of the beat at 5pm and had probably the most hectic one and a half hours fishing we have ever had. We ended up with 6 barbel to about 7lb, one 3lb chub and had 1 fall off. All fish falling to cut down fishmeal boillies and pellet/groundbait. A beautiful stretch of river again and we will be back soon!!

Another jewell in the W & Usk Crown is How Caple, just dont tell too many people they said it. Stunning location and stunning weather 80*f, which sent us Old Boys scurrying (again RH ) for cover, offered this time by the tree lined bank for a Siesta, mid Sun - scorched afternoon.Zzzz ...!Oh! and the fishing allways going to be difficult in the conditions but 2 Barbel 3lbs & 8lbs and a 3lb Chevin,(pellet feeders) roving around in faster water swims were our returns on a day where catching didnt seem as important as just being there. Many thanks W & Usk everything spot on as usual.

Sadly fishing dour and only 2 takes to report, both on the flying c. no fish seen
Service from wuf excellent

Another tough day on the Wye due to the hot and bright weather. Managed to catch a Barbel approx: 7lbs from the middle of the strech. Rest of the day nothing until the shade came over the water and bites were coming in thick and fast however after loosing a couple it was time for us to go as other things had to be done that day, which was a pitty as I'm sure we could of landed a few more by Boy's Rocks. The Barbel and all missed fish were on halibut pellets. Another smashing day even with hardly any caught. Thanks WUF!

In the continuing heatwave we followed up our tough day at Whitehouse with further spectacular lack of success here. Again despite again fishing a variety of areas and baits the sum total of our efforts were 1 barbel & 2 chub.
In our defence along with the weather, the world and his wife were out and about on this beat and I'm pretty sure there were more people than fish in the river at one point! But what the heck, everyone enjoyed themselves including us and there was always tomorrow!

First time I have blanked here for a year or more. No bites at all: nout. Still, lovely hot day and a great place to be by the water. Still very overgrown.

What a fantastic last day of the season, firstly my thanks to both Kim Tribe and Frank Williams for there instruction without there imparted knowledge I would still be struggling to catch, as it is 26 trout today, two of which were 12" several 11" majority 10" with a couple at 6" only managed to fish half the beat, again the strong wind earlier in the year has brought down a number of large trees these in turn make it impossible to pass, never mind perhaps a chain saw will make an appearance before next season. All fish caught NZ style to my home tied nymphs, there were a lot of fish rising all day but with a breeze and tight conditions persevered with the NZ packed up at 5-30pm and went home with a smile like a Cheshire cat.
Bring on the greyling.

Final day of season - lovely day - but not a fish in sight. Fished the Arrow a lot this season. Have had a couple of good days but even taking into account very low river levels fish stocks seem to be dramatically depleated this year. Today I saw 1 rise all day, and generally this season fish have been noticeable by their absence. I have seen little sign of cormorants or sawbills on the Arrow. It is probably politically incorrect to say - but I suspect that the main reason is the strenghtening otter population, which I see regularly. I fish the Arrow because I enjoy the challenge of fishing for wild fish in natural conditions - but at the moment the fish just are not present. I don't know if the dreaded EA have any fish count statistics for the Arrow - I would be interested to see.