Feedback & Reports

The lovely day promised by the forecast and the early morning sunshine never quite happened. There was a cold north-westerly breeze and it was cloudy for much of the day, so there was little or no evidence of anything hatching and, consequently, no fish showing. By the afternoon it was clear that a change of tactics was needed and heavy nymphs and shrimp patterns produced a couple of lovely grayling, the best around a pound and a half. Gromain is a stunning place to spend the day and it looked absolutely beautiful, especially first thing in the morning. A thoroughly enjoyable day - I shall be back very soon...

Passport beat R34, Honddu at Lower Stanton: blank. A bit too early, I suppose.

Otherwise, the Usk seems to be just waking up. I had a brace yesterday on Waterhen Bloa during a very brief hatch of large dark olives after lunch in a corner sheltered from the cold wind. I counted 6 of the little grey sailboats floating downstream; but the 7th one was whacked in no uncertain manner by the first trout I have seen rise in the Usk this year. It was all over in half an hour though.

No fish taken, again water levels seemed too low. Some steady trickle of mayfly hatch (March Brown?), also stonefly in the morning! Some fish up to 1lb sighted nymphing but not caught.
Lovely stretch of the Usk, I imagine that it's a real winner within the next few months!

A very nice day to be out and about on the river but unfortunately no fish taken, very little fly life seen and only one fish brave enough to break the surface of the water. A good opportunity to trial some new kit though.

Cold day with overnight frost, made this a hard day, between 4 rods we managed 3 Barbel to 4lb 8 oz, and 3 chub to 4lb 10oz. All fish falling to maggot hookbaits.

No trout caught, water levels seemed too low. Lovely to be on the river though! Very little fly life observed. A good day, even if no fish where taken.

No fish caught but the Skenfrith beat is a lovely location, I met the owner and his wfie when I arrived and I had a very enjoyable day. This is the first time I have used the Foundation's services and I was most impressed with the online booking system and the very hepfull staff in the office when I rang to ask some questions. I will certainly be using the Foundation in the very near future.

R35, Honddu at Pandy: 2 x trout 13 inches and 14 inches, 5 x grayling 11 inches - 14 inches. I had thought grayling fishing was over for the season, but apparently not; they seem to be more established and larger on this beat than a year ago. The Monnow strain of grayling are particularly beautiful fish, slender with a blue sheen overall. Lovely morning, finishing in the Skirrid Inn which claims to be the oldest pub in Wales.

Nothing caught, but an enjoyable day regardless.

It was my first ever visit to Cilwych today and I had hoped that the cold east wind was finally going to give us a miss, but there was still some freshness in the air that probably kept any trout in the depths and I hardly saw any fish move at all. Never mind though, as the scenery at this beat is magnificent and it was good to feel the sun on my face, even though the river was pretty close to normal summer levels.
Your directions were very clear, but I was a little surprised at how difficult the upper reaches of this beat were to access. Fortunately, I am still reasonably fit and agile and therefore lived to tell the tale.
Better luck next time...