Feedback & Reports

RIver low but enough rising fish to make a good evening. Usual mayfly pattern worked well

5 Trout

Fine day between the showers. Sheltered from wind. Big march brown hatch. Few danica. No takes on nymph. 2wbt both approx 7"

2 Trout

Some seriously deep pools! I used a Klinkhammer and then a PTN but no luck. I will try to come back in September.

Tagged on this beat after fishing the new Escley 4 (which was good). Formally part of the upper Escley beat this is now a very short beat with lots of restricted areas. It's very disappointing. You can't fish half the water and there's very little to go at in the remaining 600 or so yards. You'd be very disappointed if you drove 190 miles for this! Managed 2 wbt but wouldn't return.

2 Trout

I was not necessarily looking forward to seeing how Escley Brook had been reconfigured. Escley 4 is the top bit of 2015 Lower stuck onto the bottom bit of 2015 Middle. There is a huge chunk of 2015 Lower gone which is a shame but still some familiar pools to get to grips with. Although booked for the day, I missed out E3 and re-parked for E2 which is essentially the top of 2015 Middle up to the pub. I don't mind change (really) but I have fished these fantastic beats from a time when they were called R42 and R43 and the nostalgia runs deep. Chopped up, disjointed, too much walking, and still the threat of angry landowners (too much red on the maps).
To the day. Only one 12" trout caught to a dry and a very stealthy 20 minute approach. It was the only time I saw any rises all day and the usual technique of putting a fly on likely water did nothing to tempt any more fish up. Too clear, too bright, too cold, too windy. The map instructions as usual where spot on but you are generally parking a way off beat starts. BUT listen I don't mean to complain too much. This is still IMHO the best wild stream in the passport (except maybe Edw). I will be back.

1 Trout

A bit cold and windy but needed to get out and about, tried Klink and dink and then just heavier nymphs in the deeper pocket water, alas, to no avail...Surprised with how low the water level was. Good to be out though.

Beautiful beat. Few match Browns hatching but only one rise seen during the day and no other activity found sub-surface.

The first of a three day, three beat trip to introduce AB to the WUF waters. A request for some smaller waters placed us in the Black Mountains and I thought this beat should provide some fun (also forgetting the cattle gates !) A promising start with a missed take on first cast and a very good fish lost due to catching my rod tip in a small branch above me, gutted!
Had to leave the beat soon after when AB ripped his waders, a trip to Brecon saw him fitted out and we returned to where we left off, one small trout was brought to hand from the diminishing water and we left not long after.
Literally sharing the one rod proved a laugh and although the return was less than expected, I and AB left still enthused.

1 Trout

Not sure why this fantastic beat isn't fished more. Although there wasn't much water flowing through the river there is still masses of good water in the Escley, long slow deep glides and plenty of good pools. There are also some BIG fish here. I was standing in one stretch just waiting for a particular fish to rise again, and a fish a good foot and a half long very casually swam past me. So, a great day. Took most fish on a small DHE and sedge. There wasn't much fly life about but enough fish rising to keep the day interesting.

10 Trout

I DID IT, I GOT TO THE TOP OF THE BEAT!!!!!
After years of trying finally fished to the top of this unfeasibly long beat. Took 9.5 hours, constantly motoring upstream.
However, so intent on completing all 2.5 miles I missed the whole point - to enjoy the fishing. I did manage 8 pristine wbt 8"-12" on dries but really today was about getting to the top. Even ate lunch on the hoof.
I love this beat but it needs to be fished at a more leisurely and measured pace to really savour it. There are some great pools and glides further up holding fish that rarely see a fly I suspect. Next time I will start half way up and fish it to the rhythm of this beautiful spot.

8 Trout