Feedback & Reports

Having had a recce two days ago, I took a neighbour who cannot risk wading, hasn't cast a fly for over 20 years and who has never caught a grayling. The bottom section provided him with ideal access and BG caught 8 grayling - no monsters - but he was over the moon. The fish seemed rather less active than two days ago, possibly as a result of the two back to back 3 degree nights. It was certainly much colder, and the olives emerging from about 11 a.m. after the sun got up didn't elicit the same level of surface activity. Still managed to tempt 22 grayling, mainly in the 8-10 inch class but some of 12-13 inches. Taken on bugs, nymphs and a hare's ear emerger but couldn't tempt a fish with a spider!

Arrived to find the river low and with only a slight tinge of colour, the bottom being visible mid river in some places. It proved hard going. We fished several swims all day including a couple of particularly hairy ones, but the fish were hard to come by with only the odd fish showing.
Ended up on the bottom section & stayed until it got dark.
Not a great deal to show for our efforts. DS had 2 barbel to 8.5lb, CW had one barbel of around 7.5lb & lost 2 others from hook pulls (most unusual). We both also had a few chub each but nothing above 2.5lb. Nevertheless, a beautiful place to be on a week-day and a wonderful sunset. On our previous visit when the water was high we weren't impressed with the number of fishable swims, and to be honest there weren't that many safely fishable swims with the water low either.

Mon 11th October, 16.00 to 18.45. Wyebank section. River slightly coloured, 3 barbel 6-8lb, Halibut pellet on rolling ledger of one swan shot over loose halibut feed on crease of eddies.

Tues 12th October, 16.30 to 18.30. Wyebank section. 1 barbel of around 8lb at dusk. No takes on halibut or meat, tried last cast with whole processed ragworm left from sea trip, instant take, must have hit it on head!
All fish in prime condition and fins well coloured. Pike on prowl in centre section as light faded may have been cause of no bites until dusk. Goosanders and immature cormorants fishing below island.

Mon 11th October, 16.00 to 18.45. Wyebank section. River slightly coloured, 3 barbel 6-8lb, Halibut pellet on rolling ledger of one swan shot over loose halibut feed on crease of eddies.

Tues 12th October, 16.30 to 18.30. Wyebank section. 1 barbel of around 8lb at dusk. No takes on halibut or meat, tried last cast with whole processed ragworm left from sea trip, instant take, must have hit it on head!
All fish in prime condition and fins well coloured. Pike on prowl in centre section as light faded may have been cause of no bites until dusk. Goosanders and immature cormorants fishing below island.

Mon 11th October, 16.00 to 18.45. Wyebank section. River slightly coloured, 3 barbel 6-8lb, Halibut pellet on rolling ledger of one swan shot over loose halibut feed on crease of eddies.

Tues 12th October, 16.30 to 18.30. Wyebank section. 1 barbel of around 8lb at dusk. No takes on halibut or meat, tried last cast with whole processed ragworm left from sea trip, instant take, must have hit it on head!
All fish in prime condition and fins well coloured. Pike on prowl in centre section as light faded may have been cause of no bites until dusk. Goosanders and immature cormorants fishing below island.

Although the water was perhaps 1ft. higher than ideal it was quite clear and grayling were feeding eagerly throughout the day. We caught and returned over 50 grayling (and 3 trout) on various klinkhammers but also on small goldheads and "bugs". Most of the fish were 10" to 12" with a few up to 16".

But we had competition: as we were leaving we saw an otter moving in the Bathing Pool. It did not seem disturbed by us in the least and caught at least one fish in the 10 minutes we were watching before it vanished in the direction of the Gravelly Pool.

Incidentally we saw three salmon moving: one in the Erwood Pool; another at the mouth of the stream in the Cilau Run and a third in the rocks below the stream under the left hand bank. Three canoists came through in the afternoon, keeping well out of our way where we were wading, but should they have been there?

WUF Note: The canoeists shouldn't have been there - we are still within the salmon season and the level was not above the red line on the Llanstephan gauge. Anglers are requested to notify the Foundation if you find canoeists breaking the access arrangements, especially if it is an identifiable group such as a canoe club or university.

A delightful days fishing but I didn't catch anything, despite alternating between a spinning and fly rod. There's always next year for my next salmon (the last time I caught a salmon was on the River Wye in 1992).

A lovely day with 26 grayling falling to various bugs and spiders, as well as to a dry Grayling Steel Blue, and to pale watery and hare's ear emergers. Some PWs and small olives around from late morning but not too many fish actually rising - still clearly looking up though!! Most fish 9-10 inches but about nine of 13-14 inches. Always a delight to fish here.

What a stunning beat. Just being at Llanfechan is a pleasure, the scenery is superb and I was lucky enough to have the whole stretch to myself on Sunday. 12 Grayling and 2 out of season BT caught, mostly Czech Nymphing. Caught my largest ever Grayling (1lb 15oz) which was fantastic, also lost three which were bigger! Finally I was treated to the amazing sight of a large Otter right in front of me! Spotted it on the bank whilst I was standing mid river, it slipped into the water and proceeded to have a little swim in the pool before heading off downriver. I just stood and watched in awe, an amazing sight and a superb day.

Two grayling around 9". Two similar trout, plus one at 17" ... the best of the year ... someone should have told them its the closed season! All on nymphs.