Feedback & Reports

We fished the top end of the stretch and, having read TH's review of his day on the lower end, we know where all the grayling were. We float fished maggot all day and only had 2 grayling about 1.5lbs, but we had 3 trout about 2lbs and a sea trout (yes, quite sure) of getting on for 3lbs. Trout/sea trout weights an estimate because all released in the water. River level higher than ideal but clear and fishable.

First time upstream of Hereford and, consequently, on this beat and it has a lot of potential. The water had very little extra colour and looked superb despite the overcast, drizzly weather.
Enticed half a dozen nice chub from a couple of spots between the orchard and the fence where the river is slower and deeper, having tried several along that part of the bank. Got a bit preoccupied with fishing meat having caught a 4lb fish on the first cast and should have switched to pellets for a more resillient answer to the constant pecking at the bait.
There are so many inviting areas in that section of the river that the top and bottom of the beat were only visited during a lunchtime stroll. It all looks good.

Thanks WUF.

A note on the instruction sheet/map. The reason there are two dotted-green footpaths so close together is the presence of a barbed wire fence separating the fields and going down to the water's edge. To get around this, you have to go back to the stile by the road and, 20 yards towards the house, re-enter the field via a 5-bar gate. This is no distance at all and worth the effort to get at the faster water passing the island.

Three chub to 4.2. Breadflake.

4 x grayling 9-15 inches, 1 x out of season trout 10 inches, trotting with centre pin. This beat fished marvellously well during the late summer and autumn, but has been slightly disappointing on my couple of winter visits. They must be in there somewhere!

Morning spent on the lovely Courtfield. River cold with snow melt, coloured and falling. 2 x 5lb Chub on meat and 7lb Pike on a spinner, not a bad mornings work!

A dour sort of day, with the sun failing to make an appearance and the air tempertature around 5-6 degrees. The river was dropping after last week's rain, although was still a bit too coloured for fly fishing. I spent most of the day fishing with Czech nymphs, although a sparse Large Dark Olive hatch after lunch brought a few fish up to the surface so I had a somewhat hopeful half-hour on klinkhamers and paraduns. Fish? None, but thankfully I didn't have any canoeists or cormorants to contend with.
I last fished this beat in October and found a large grayling shoal in the riffles immediately below the access point. I didn't find any fish there today, and fished from the top weir all the way down to the lower limit. If anybody knows where the grayling are currently shoaled up feel free to let us know!

Very many thanks for arranging my fishing at Upper Bigsweir. I throughly enjoyed my day. Water 46 degrees so just ok for barbel and I eventually caught one weighing just under 7lbs.

10 grayling, one at 12oz, the rest in the 1lb 4oz to 2lb range. Also a chub of about 4lb.

After another enjoyable visit to the Bateman Arms in Shobdon, we arrived at Lyepole about 9.30. The rain overnight had increased the speed of the river somewhat and made life very difficult for our inexperience. No bites but a glorious beat with pairs of dippers a and a mother otter and 2 cubs spotted on the island at the upstream limit. Will try again next autumn.

Managed a chub (4lb) on my first cast of the day, on luncheon meat, and then not another bite till late afternoon when a smaller chub was had. The track up to the upper part of the river is only accessable by 4x4. It's not a hard track. The access to the lower section is only a very short walk.