Feedback & Reports

Fishing with JB. We had planned a 3 day session to end the season but the weather plainly had other ideas. Even this day looked dodgy a few days beforehand but we decided that there would be a clear slot based on forecasts nearer the time – and the weather performed exactly on cue, with the rain finishing as we arrived at dead on 10 am and returning at 6 pm. In between things were remarkably clement although the temperature did drop as the day wore on.

The river was low which means that the fish in the usual spots are not so keen to play. So a bit of a hunt was needed and there is plenty of water here for them to hide in. Things were slow to start but once the fish were found sport was brisk, although there were only a few risers. Parachute dries worked as usual, although they can get a bit damp at times….

At Gromain on Sunday the large grayling we had were predominantly females. Here it was the opposite – mostly males. And thick solid muscular fish, some of which took 5 minutes to bring to hand. 16 in total – mostly in the 16 to 18 inch size range, smallest 12 inches but two clonkers knocking on 20 inches. Stunning fishing! And plenty of small grayling in the margins that were so small they could drown a fly but not take it. Mr Spotty trout was absent from our catches although a few were seen …

Looks like Louis and the gang have dealt with the knotweed too… great job, none seen on this visit, thanks for picking up on report. This could be our last trip out this year so many thanks to the WUF team for some excellent fishing in trying times.

16 Grayling

About 10" on the Erwood gauge, so the river was at a nice height for wading. Caught a grayling and a brown trout in the late morning on heavy nymphs. After lunch, in the warm sunshine, there was the odd rise to some small olives, and I managed 6 grayling on dry flies. In late afternoon, I added a further three grayling on spiders drifted across the slow pools. All the grayling were a similar size - between about 11" and 13".

1 Trout, 10 Grayling

Beautiful stretch and nice conditions, only downside was the incessant roaring of motorbikes blighting so much of the peace in mid Wales.

One very large grayling hooked and lost on NZ style deep nymph. Disappointingly this was the only sign of fishy life seen by either of us, very little fly life and no rises. Plenty of kingfishers, wagtails and otter prints seen.

2 Trout, 3 Grayling

Quality over quantity today. While the Trout was nothing to write home about, most of the Grayling were in the 12-14 inch bracket. A low river, but still pushing through, and probably just a bit too bright. 2 Grayling from the bottom of the beat on a tungsten nymph. Remaining fish on a Klinkhammer - a mix of casting to rising fish and fishing the stream. Had a chat with the other angler on the beat as I was packing up; a likeable but distracted individual - who had a similar catch to me

1 Trout, 7 Grayling

Beautiful stretch that keeps you wading the entire length. We were lucky that conditions were perfect - overcast and light wind. Anything more than a gentle breeze would have made upstream fishing difficult given the overhanging trees Nymphs fished deep. Largest fish took the foam bodied daddy fished as an indicator.

2 Trout, 8 Grayling

River high but in great condition.

2 Trout, 10 Grayling

Lovely beat but found it tricky - wading hard, and just couldn’t get flys deep enough

1 Grayling

2 Trout, 1 Grayling

Had to work harder for my fish today on a low, clear river. Three fish from the bottom meadow, including my first Wye Trout of the season, then nothing until I moved up to the top of the beat after lunch. The Trout were small but, once again, the Grayling were a good size, with two fish at 16" and one at 17". All on weighted nymphs

Very sorry to hear the news about Stephen

2 Trout, 8 Grayling