Feedback & Reports

Wye at Middle Ballingham and Fownhope No 8: Blank. A lovely morning in a lovely place as the sun burned through the mist, but my float trotting under the bank glided serenely and undisturbed. I was driven off by snow showers after lunch, but noticed a chap downstream had a keepnet out at least.

More water pushing down than I expected and slight colour, but quite fishable. 8 x grayling, mostly 14-15 inches, 1 x out of season trout 12 inches, heavy nymphing under the rod top. If the Foundation ever polls its supporters to see which they think is the prettiest beat, I am sure this one would be close to the top of the list. Lyepole at snowdrop time is a very special place. If only the sun had shown its face.

River seemed a good height and colour, but unfortunately no fish caught at all, not even any distinct bites. The lack of fish was compensated for by sight of acrobatic ravens over Goodrich Castle and buzzards talon grappling over the nearby woods. Found gaining decent access (i.e. room for 2 x chairs & kit) to most swims at this water height problematic and/or difficult, even without the himalayan balsam forest that will undoubtedly spring up in summer.

Although we could not have asked for nicer weather conditions finding fish was very difficult. Only one 9" salmon parr made an appearance coming to a dark brown pheasant tail goldhead. Always a pleasure to fish this beat and enjoyable seeing a kingfisher.

Nice place ... shame no bites.

One grayling 17" on a heavy size 12 hears ear. Water was pushing through a bit, but not much wind and a fair bit of sun made for an enjoyable days fishing, although not the warmest. The top of the beat was nice and open but access became more tricky as the beat went on and a hole in my waders from barbed wire was the result of trying to gain access. Will try again as some wonderful looking dry fly glides available.

Ithon at Severn Arms, Penybont: Blank. I struggled with this beat, a new one to me, although I did come across a large shoal of chub on clear shallows and spent some time trying to tempt them from above. Was it Dick Walker who wrote: "spooked chub regain confidence at roughly 10 minutes to the pound?" Once I spooked this lot, they were gone and stayed gone for the day.

Much milder day than my last two visits to the beat. Still very difficult to locate any fish. All different methods tried but still very hard fishing.

Just 1 cracking out of season Brown would love to have caught him carrying a bit more weight in the summer.

River Wye at Pwll y Faedda: 6 x grayling around 15" except for one at 12"; 1 x out of season trout 13". Another cold day, water very clear, generally hard fishing. The trotting rod not good so had to go on to traditional grayling wet flies to get some rather diffident takes from a single shoal. Either that, or it was because the sun came out after lunch and stirred them up.

9th February, Wye at Maesllwch: 5 x grayling 10-12 inches. Trotting - again unable to locate any but smaller grayling. Cold, but a great place for looking at wild-fowl at this time of the year, plus an otter was working the pool tail by the ford.