Feedback & Reports

I arrived at the water late in the morning. Several types of duns were hatching and fish (mostly small) were rising. Despite a stiffish and cool Westerly breeze, there was enough shelter down among the trees to find holes in the wind where the dry fly leader could be rolled out straight upstream. Worked up from the middle of the beat to the top taking two 4oz brownies and one of about a pound, all to a nondescript size 14 spider pattern that looked about the right colour (browny grey). All fish returned. The hatch died off about 1:00 and so did much of the activity. Spent the afternoon exploring the lower part of the beat, where a deep slow glide next to an exposed rock shelf just upstream from the lower car park took my eye. The river was low, which was probably just as well since, due to the tree-cover it was only possible to fish effectively by wading quite far out into the stream. Higher water would have made that tricky and, as it was, the chest waders were essential. Tried a spot of upstream nymphing, but to no effect. Determined to fish the "evening rise", I waited out the unproductive time and, at 7:45, returned to the spot I'd seen earlier. A few fish were rising but they weren't all the splashy rise that tells you its a tiddler. They seemed to be feeding on spent flies. After a few offers that were ignored, I tied on an thin-bodied (no braid, just silk) size 14 Greenwell spider that I must have tied 30 years ago. One decent fish came short to it straight away, then a few minutes later it was taken solidly by a magnificent fish that turned out to weigh 2lb 12oz. One smaller fish about 8 oz took it too, but I put him back. Activity ended about 8:30 and I went home, very happy. Thanks to WUF and David Jones Powell for a very enjoyable day.

14 x trout 10-12 inches, standard Adams. A very discouraging start with the river, not up by much, but extremely thickly coloured - maybe 6 inches visibility - and very few rises. I came across just three before lunch: missed one, pricked one, caught one. But as afternoon wore on towards evening, although the water remained coloured, all sorts of fly life - midges, small caddis, medium/small olives, yellow may, early damsels - became apparent and fish began to rise more regularly until the fishing became quite busy. A few true mayfly around from late afternoon, but I only saw one trout reacting to the big white flies. What they really wanted were the olives, so I stayed with the Adams all through as it was getting takes consistently. There were a couple of larger fish came off in play, as they do, but nobody wants to hear that sad story again....

A great days fishing. Water levels very low although slightly improved after some rain a few days before.
Having only recently started fly fishing this beat was quite a challenge. A steady trickle of mayfly through the afternoon but not much rising. Fished mostly new Zealand rig. Three browns caught all to a small nymph, the best 9-10" the others around 5".

Just caught lovely fresh salmon about 15lbs Wharf Pool on a worn bronze spooned salmon red flying c, above bottom crib just in the main flow mid stream. Went down to fly fish but was lacking time. River has risen 6 inches and is now back at summer level (0" on the gauge at the steps)and absolutely perfect.

1 x trout of 1 pound 1oz

Only one of us could make trip in the end.
Conditions difficult with cold downstream wind and river coloured. No rise to speak of, just the occasional fish on surface. However, 3 fish to a olive klinkhammer - 8 inches, 10 inches and finally a magnificent 18 inch beast. All fish returned safely. Thank you for the great day.

Great day on this marvellous beat. The pool at the bottom of the beat(below the weir pool) is one of he most picturesque spots to be found anywhere in the UK.
Plenty of fly life about but not as many mayflies as I was expecting given the amounts coming of the Monnow. Still a good day with a couple of dozen fish coming to hand mostly between 10-15 inches.

1 out of season Chub and 2 B.T. UP 12OZ.

Lovely beat. Very pretty countryside. Good mayfly hatch every rising fish came to artificial mayfly. Caught two nice plump trout about half pound - each returned. Expected to see more fish but did see beauty in bend above bridge with bank with sand martins - must have covered it many times -bet it is uncatchable. Nice enough beat to go again. Plenty of good pubs for lunch close by.

1 brown trout 10" returned. GRHE Nymph.