Feedback & Reports

RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN but good for the river. Did clear in the afternoon and on the plus side, kept the canoes away. Fished every type of swim possible fast water, slow, deep, shallow and far bank under the trees but the fish did not want to know. Did manage 3 fish in the end but hard work, just could not find them. Maybe next time.

3 Barbel

Fantastic looking bit of water around the Island - looks like barbel heaven but river very low when we fished.
Trotted corn gave 13 chub from various swims along the Island but frustratingly not a sign of barbel. Canoes throughout the day but polite and went straight through - no problem. Beautiful meadow bank - ideal for an afternoon nap.
Friend waded across just above the top end of the island and went round the back - only saw 1 small chub but interestingly some millers thumb under the rocks on the gravel riffle. Lots of bird life on this beat and something splashing about in the shallow water which I assumed could have been an otter- are they here?
Eventually got frustrated by lack of barbel success in faster water and went downstream - no campers - and feeder fished across to the far bank (longish chuck) in the slightly faster water there. Had a nice 'late'(we only fish to about 6pm) barbel and a big eel - both on meat.
If you were adventurous and waded across and walked downstream I think there would be lots of potential on this tree lined bank at the bottom of the fishery.
I agree with previous comments about not being able to use the public footpath but parking is very good.
Also walked the upper part of the beat to find the Pulpit Pool - I assume it is the one by the nice tree - very still water . I think there are about 2 or 3 areas where fishing is possible on this part of the beat- I do not agree about some of the comments of the inaccessibility of this area though, I would take a rope to be safe. The slower water upstream of the access point may not be to everyone's taste.
Could not find the notice for the upper part of the beat and could easily walk into Foy fishery where you can see the fast water again. I hope the angler we saw on the other bank did well.

1 Barbel, 13 Chub, 1 Other

Hard fishing on the day but a beautiful spot. The banks here are very steep so if your not too good on your feet or like a comfortable swim this might not be for you. The other downside is the Island. Every canoeist thinks it is a great spot to stop for a swim ,toilet, dump rubbish and skim stones. Some were very rude, drunk and not very nice people not why are they not policed? Even the locals I spoke to were not very happy. 4 rods is 2 many on this beat.

WUF note - This beat is bookable for 2 individuals or a group of up to 4 anglers in the same party.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

Day 2 of our trip. What a difference a day makes! Arrived at the river just after sun rise, although we didn't have enough rain the day before to affect the river conditions that much, we both felt a lot more confident about our chances. A cooler, over cast day with rain forecast for the afternoon. We tried 1 or 2 swims each giving them 1 hour before we both found a swim each that produced barbel throughout the day. The final score was a draw, 10 barbel 1 chub each. What a way for CB to spend his Birthday, and to top it off he had a phone call to say he got a new job. Definitely one to be remembered. Thank You WUF.

20 Barbel, 2 Chub

Was hoping to get a friend his first Barbel, but the low river conditions made for a difficult day. He did manage 3 Chub to about 4lb though and I had two Barbel at around 4lb and 7lb 15oz. The place seemed to come alive just as it was time to pack up, with loads of fish coming up for a fly hatch.

2 Barbel, 3 Chub

Track from road to first field overgrown and rutted, not making the walk any easier, just glad we decided to leave trolleys behind.
Fished 9.30am to 6pm in the faster water by Island. 4 chub to 3lb 5oz, all to meat, either fixed or rolled.
Few canoeists, generally pleasant despite loss of control in first swim by shingle bank.
Came back across fields into gate at end of car park, rather than through the church or down the overgrown track. Is this perhaps a better route, in fine weather at least?

WUF note - The route you have chosen to take and the footpath through the Church are not marked on the map or the advice notes provided for a reason. It is essential that anglers follow the maps and instructions provided and DO NOT decide to make their own access routes in and out of fisheries. There are valid reasons why we use these negotiated routes and anglers doing as they please to make things easier for themselves results in The Fishing Passport LOOSING FISHERIES as a result. The track to negociate is less than 100m.

4 Chub

First visit to The Creel. Lovely beat with a variety of water although we didn't get a look at the stretch with the campers as it looked a bit busy.
Bright sunshine and red hot all day made for hard work. Between us we managed 8 chub to 4lb and one small barbel.

1 Barbel, 8 Chub

Got here about 7.45am, walked up and down the river opposite the island...whoooo, what a bit of water! But now where do you fish? The bottom end of the island is very open and flowing hard over an uneven river bed by the looks, so as this was going to be in full sun all day, I opted for the swims in the shade! Even more turbulent water here and a big drop to the water? Not the most comfortable fishing but trotting sweetcorn accounted for 7 Chub 2-3lbs. Set up a feeder rods for meat, never bothered with feeders but opted for straight lead and constant feeding by hand, hemp and small cubes of meat were fed at regular intervals. 2 Chub (size as earlier) and 7 barbel took the large chunks of meat hair rigged on 12lbs P- line and a size 4 drennan widegape specialist. The fishing here is good but care needs to be taken as some of the bank access by the faster flowing water is risky and if wet could require anglers to be very careful whilst clambering up and down. Landing fish on the steep sided banks would be aided by a 3m long (strong) landing net handle. Stay in the shade and you will get some savage takes! Surprised me where I caught barbel today!

1 Trout, 7 Barbel, 9 Chub

All fish caught on Halibut pellets/feeder tactics. I fished a swim opposite the island about halfway along. I had one barbel early on, a PB of 11lb 2oz and one Chub, then all went quiet. Come early afternoon with only a couple of hours left before I had to pack up and head off home, I moved upstream to where the flow narrows and increases between the nearside bank and the shingle bar that runs out from the island. I fished the crease behind the shingle bar and was in to a fish as soon as the feeder hit bottom and from there on it was almost a fish a chuck for the short time I had left. A word of warning to anyone who fishes this swim the bank is very steep and in wet weather would be dangerous. Also, as you cant see upstream the canoes are on you before you know it and they pass right under your feet.

8 Barbel, 6 Chub

River very low ahead of the weekend rain. One barbel of 6lb, one chub and one eel, all on pellet. Very tough going, with barbel only coming as light faded.
Why are anglers directed down an overgrown track when the much shorter route through the church is clearly marked as a Public Footpath. Anglers are members of the public too!

WUF note - This has been at the request of the owner.