Feedback & Reports

Strong flow on the river, near 7 on the gauge at Ddol Farm. Caught just 2 1/2lb trout (returned). No sign of the grayling that I have caught here in the past from the pools by the parking area. Worth remembering that 8 on Ddol guage is fishable at Clochfaen but a bit too high for Rhayader and below. Heavy rain drove me away by afternoon. I have caught a number of 2lb grayling this year, all on a floating fly but they inhabit different runs and pools this year. Also, I never catch any small grayling nothing smaller than 1/2 lb - does this reflect on stocks as a whole? On the Wlesh Dee there are plenty of small fish. Also I would love aome advice on deep nymph methods. Tight lines to all.

We arrived for our two day trip to fish the Wye at Lower Ballingham. We found the river to be slightly coloured but not far of its normal height. After walking the venue we decided to fish either side of the bridge pool. I fished the lower pool while Phil my fishing pal fished the upper pool. I had a small slack which I decided to float fish, I started to catch small dace but eventually the minnows got the better of my maggots so went onto the lead.
The river was much stronger than the rivers we normally fish so were using 3 and 4 ounce weights to hold the bottom. I managed to catch one chub on pellet around the three pound mark while Phil didn't get a single bite.
By midday we decided to try the lower end of the venue. Again targeting the barbel we tried pellets and meat and late afternoon Phil hooked into a barbel which weighed in at 7lbs.
The venue was superb a wonderful location to spend a days fishing and although we didn't get amongst the fish we look forward to trying again very soon.

Fished the section from bottom of the beat to the road bridge. River high and very coloured, further rain on the day meant it did not clear. Caught and returned 5 out of season brownies, not a sign of any grayling. All on gold ribbed or sparkle nymphs. Some of the pools were very deep so a bit of a scramble in places!!

With the river over 4ft above normal summer level swim choice was critical today. After trying 3 different areas I finally got it right and 7 barbel to 7 1/2 lb were tricked into taking my paste wraped pellet hook baits. All fish taken after 2 pm water temp now very cold might be worth going all out for the chub next trip. Thanks to Colin for advise and W&U as allways.

Water pushing through with weed, leaves twigs constantly catching the lines. Found a couple of slack spots close in and managed to winkle out 5 barbel between us, also lost a couple. Barbel 6lb to 8lb.

5 barbel to low 9lb's and 3 chub, one of which was a cracking specimen, a tick under 6lb. All on pellet.
couple of things to mention: had an otter going after fish (and catching from what I could see) in several swims which I hope does not signal predation of the stock in the area, and had ''words'' with anglers on the opposite bank who were casting across the river into several of the fishable(prepared) swims on our bank that we expected to be able to fish. Not the first time its happened. Needs sorting out with whoever runs fishery on the opposite bank.

Difficult today, a slowly rising river and alot of debris washing down. 2 decent barbel and 1 chub for 4 hours fishing so very pleased given testing conditions.

Lovely day, river up and chocolate brown. 10 barbel to 7lb 12oz from the hut swim, all on pellets.

Fished this stretch for the first time on Nov 1. I found the river up and rising. Had 6 barbel to 9.2 with 5 over 7lb, a very pleasing average size. Most fish fell to meat. Decided to return on Wed Nov 2 and had another 5 barbel with the best going 10.6, again on meat. All fish were in great condition and I'll definately be back!

River pushing through and rising as we fished loads of twigs, leaves and weed as well as larger logs comming by. No barbel but a couple of chub caught.