Feedback & Reports

River was dropping slowly after the overnight rain and with just enough colour to make it possible to wade to within six feet of a fish. Taking Mayfly off the top, so many fish rising it was possible to select the largest of up to four in a pool, a total of only 14 WBT to 12” did not do this venue justice as I missed far more than I hooked. Without doubt one of the best Dry-fly days I’ve had in 35 years even though I did not manage to get above the bridge after seven hours fishing.. ( It’s worth standing still in the longer runs for a bit after taking, or even missing, a fish as the rest will come back to the fly within minutes)!
Although I found the access to the water a little tricky, the wading was easy except when trying to negotiate the timber flood gate things. Do not be tempted to cross back over the wire fence as you can’t get back over to the water for miles so just worm your way through! The coppice re-growth and bank-side vegetation was perfect for a six foot rod with a 20ft cast possible if required. All in all a “dream stream” in the right conditions and I can’t wait to have a crack at the Grayling later in the year.

Trout: 1 x 11", 1 x 5". All on nymphs.

Good directions and access to the pool, a few carp seen near the surface, managed to catch a nice mirror on floating crust at 17lb 6oz and a smaller common around 8lb. A lovely water shall definately return.

None caught. Had a few on briefly to a dry daddy long-legs.

River was high but dropping, looked very promising for Salmon. Sadly not to be, strangely didn't see any Salmon in the main Salmon pools although what I think was a small Grilse jumped out a few times in the slack water near the bank and the bottom of the beat. Switched to Trout in the afternoon and had a very enjoyable session on the dry.

Fished 9-1pm. 1xBT caught on gold bead PTN between the Flats and Fence End. Mustela lutreola seen by House Gutter. Water flowing fast after rain yesterday.

2 Brown Trout approx 6 inches in length caught on dry GRHE, both returned. Observed hatch of mayfly with several fish lost.

17 x trout 6-10 inches, all on mayfly pattern - Monnow Gosling. I had thought to fish the Garren near Goodrich, but found it rather coloured, so instead visited the Cannop Brook which seemed unaffected by recent rain. Mayfly hatched off in the larger silty pools and fish reacted accordingly between about 3 and 5.30. Most of them were fat little fellows with golden bellies about 8 inches long, but one monster was a full 10 inches! That's a good one for this little forest stream.

Originally booked onto a beat on the main Wye, we decided to try a roving voucher beat instead because of the rain the day before. The Hindwell was running high but clear with good numbers of olives & mayflies hatching throughout the time we were there (12 - 4.30pm). Fish were congregating mainly in the tails of pools and glides and we ended up with around 25 beautifully marked and plump wild browns to around 12", mostly on dry mayfly patterns.

Ah, The Clettwr, what can I say, this must be the prettiest water on the passport. I only had the morning to reaquaint myself with this old lover and couldn't wait! The level was fine and was running the colour of a good pint of "Butty Bach", all was set for a love-in, or so I thought? Two pools in and two fish up, the romance was disturbed by the shouts of kids, that "there was someone fishing!" Three boys and the dad were "pool jumping" down towards me! "We've probably chased all the fish down to you!" Exclaimed the dad. I was gobsmacked! With respect to the Foundation and the children present, I held my tongue but what I was wishing was another thing! I sat down for half an hour with a feeling of "coitus interruptus", hoping the pools would recover from this Brummie bombing. I made it to the bridge in the time I'd given myself, with five fish 5-8 inches from a Prince nymph. No real hatch of sorts.
Today was like visiting your girlfriend and her annoying little brother not wanting to leave the room, but I'll be back when he's not there and I'll have her all to myself again. Thanks WUF.