Feedback & Reports

Arrived to find, as expected, the river very high and chocolate coloured, but dropping. I had no previous experience of fishing the beat in this condition, but suspected the deeper section at the top end of the beat would be the place to head for. I chose a swim between two overhanging trees, where there was a steady flow close in, with the river racing through further out. The fishing was fairly slow to take off, but gradually picked up with regular feed going in to build up the swim. I took the helpful advice from the angler fishing above me and tucked my bait under the upstream tree and using a fairly short hooklength. There were no hectic periods of action, but a steady stream of fish throughout the day to give a final tally of 21 barbel landed to 8lb 6oz. All were caught on the usual pellet with feeder tactics. This was one of my most enjoyable days fishing to date on the Wye, with my best catch of barbel, stunning surroundings and a warm sunny day. The other three anglers on the beat were friendly and we shared information.

10 brown trout upto 12 inches were caught in fast flowing slightly coloured water.

Arrived to find the river was whizzing through and up several feet. I was expecting to have a really good day but unfortunately the fish thought otherwise. Fished down towards the Lugg and had nothing, moved upriver a bit and caught 2 chub eventually got a small barbel as it was getting dark. Amused myself feeding the minnows in the margins. Nice to be on the river anyway.

River rose 2m overnight from yesterdays successes at Middle Hill with large branches, sheds and stray boats bombing past. Consequently fishing was nigh on impossible even if you could find a swim with some slack. Should have brought a beachcaster and some grippa leads! Nothing caught except a baitrunner reel which has cleaned up nicely, shame because one of our party caught a 10lb 13oz barbel here late the previous evening as the water was beginning to rise. Other fishermen and bailiff all very approachable and helpful which was nice and all too rare these days.

We arrived to find the river a good 4ft up on summer level, with lots of debris comming down and the river a lovely chocalate colour, but we had a drive along the beat and found several slacker areas of river that could hold a few fish. By the end of the day we were all glad that we persevered as we all caught barbel including three over 9lb.
Most fish were to either meat or pellet wrapped in paste.
Thanks to the Foundation for a glorious beat in Caradoc.

River rose 2m overnight from yesterdays successes at Middle Hill with large branches, sheds and stray boats bombing past. Consequently fishing was nigh on impossible even if you could find a swim with some slack. Should have brought a beachcaster and some grippa leads! Nothing caught except a baitrunner reel which has cleaned up nicely, shame because one of our party caught a 10lb 13oz barbel here late the previous evening as the water was beginning to rise. Other fishermen and bailiff all very approachable and helpful which was nice and all too rare these days.

Saturday washed out but returned on Sunday. River had dropped enough to fish. 6 browns caught and returned. Great day.

Eleven Barbel caught to 9lb 12oz and two small chub and a very greedy roach with a big mouth! All caught on halibut pellets from the Vanstone area. Red hot day for September but river looking perfect. Didnt see another sole apart from some, generally well behaved, canoeists. Fished from 10ish until 6 when too hungry and tired to carry on and one of our party who blanked was fed up. Stayed at Forest View in Symonds Yat East, very helpful and convenient if a little expensive for a room with no proper shower, although the view from the bedroom window would take some beating anywhere in the world. Directions were ok but didnt see the gate with the combination lock which confused us a little. All in all great service all round and my best days fishing ever so cant say fairer than that! Back asap.

My first ever day on Upper Bigsweir. Very well organised by Wye Usk Foundtion and the beat description, direction and notes were spot on. The beat was well maintained and the owner has done a great job of managing the access and bank.

Nil catch even though conditions were good.

It was disappointing to see how Himalayan Balsam has now become the bank side monoculture - a few nettles left but even these are being squeezed out. A sign of the times!

Arrived to find river fairly low and clear despite the recent rain, but this was soon to change. I decided to fish a swim in the middle section from which i had caught barbel previously. To begin with the flow was so slow that my swimfeeder feeder was barely emptying, but within three hours the flow was such that i was stuggling to hold bottom with 5oz of lead. At one point the river was rising by around a foot every 15 minutes. I did manage 1 barbel of 5lb on pellet before the river became unfishable due to the amount of suspended debris, even in the slacker water. I was not dispondent however, as i had the next 4 days booked on diffrent beats and felt conditions would then be perfect for barbel.