Feedback & Reports

A cool and damp day with the river low and clear. Some nice fish made the day worthwhile.

6 Barbel, 12 Chub

Catch numbers are approximate as I lost count. Biggest barbel went 8lbs 9oz and chub went 4lbs 8oz but was spawned out. It had the head of a 6lb fish easy. River at summer level, lovely day.

20 Barbel, 5 Chub

Another red letter day at probably my favourite Wye & Usk beat, despite the river being lower than I have ever seen it - and gin clear. Barbel from 5lb to just over 10lb and chub up to just over 6lb. Started in my usual spot and got in to fish immediately - not quite a fish a cast, but not far from it. Went quiet around lunchtime but picked up again in the early afternoon. Tried a couple of other locations later and picked up a fish few from each - but couldn't resist a return for the early hours of darkness. Every fish taken on 2x12ml eclipse pellets glued to the hair, with a wide range of micro pellets (halibut, krill and betane) in a large drennan flat-bed feeder. 18lb micro braid hook link with 12lb red mist mainline on my Daiwa Infinity Specialist Barbel 2.25 test curve rod. Lots of loose fed pellets with the occasional balls of ground bait also seemed to stimulate bites. A very good day with a good fishing buddy, and one I hope to repeat very soon - but the river really does need some water.

37 Barbel, 26 Chub

With the river having returned to normal summer levels, the bottom of the Island seemed like the place to try. There seems to be a huge shoal of Chub here with some Barbel occasionally moving in. Bites were immediate and continued for the entire duration of my stay. The fish were not huge with the best Chub just over 4lb and the best two barbel a couple of ounces either side of 7lb, but they give a good account of themselves in the faster water. Good therapy after struggling to get bites in the early part of the season.

10 Barbel, 24 Chub

Started late and so was beaten to the hot spot at the end of the beat. Managed fish from a number of different swims, working my way back up the beat. Access to the swims is superb and although its a hike down to the end of the beat, there are lots of good swims near the car. The barbel seemed to be in the faster shallower water. A great end to a another superb on the Wye.

5 Barbel, 10 Chub

Lovely days fishing in fantastic enviroment, all fish caught on pellet with open ended feeder. Pleasure every time you go there to see the gillie Colin Richardson, he is so helpfull to share his knowledge with you. Thanks Wye and Usk Foundation for splendid day.

7 Barbel, 7 Chub

Nice day, river at an awkward height for the beat, but still caught some nice barbel to 9lbs.

4 Barbel, 5 Chub

A tough day on a 3 FT and falling river, the lowest stretch was unfishable, concentrated on the middle section identifying an area of smooth flow near to a weed bed, steady fishing all day with 15 Barbel and 18 chub on a warm day. All caught on pellet feeder with a mixture of pellets, a lovely stretch with plenty of areas to fish, immaculately kept and maintained by Colin. The top end of the fishery is close to parking area so a long walk is not necessary. Great day again, looking forward to a return visit to W & U in Sept. Thanks.

15 Barbel, 18 Chub

Last day of 4 on WUF and the second on this stretch. River was up at least 5 feet and racing through, bringing vast amounts of weed. Decided to give it a go at the top of the stretch, but again weed was going to be a problem. Just as we started setting up, Colin arrived and suggested that the swims we had chosen would be very difficult and he directed us to two pegs closer to the bend where the current was less and there was some slack water. Big thank you to Colin. Managed 4 barbel in the first hour and another 6 spread out during the day. Largest 7lb 13oz. Had to finish at 6pm to travel home, but with the water dropping back and the weed flow a little less, we would have expected further fish into the evening. All fish taken on either single or double 12mm pellet.

10 Barbel, 1 Chub

Day 3 of 4 the WUF. Started fishing at around 10:30am on what looked like a perfect river. 6 chub, 1 barbel and 2 lost barbel in the first half hour (all on pellet) suggested a bumper day, but then the river started to rise rapidly. Managed another 3 barbel in the next hour before the amount of weed in the faster water made the swims unfishable and forced us to move. Again another day of heavy rain. Moved to the top of the stretch and managed 1 further barbel late in the evening, but the weed made life difficult.

5 Barbel, 7 Chub