Feedback & Reports

The river was very low, but had a tinge of colour. There was not much weed growth compared with previous years.
I was catching barbel on float-fished pellet until a succession of canoists, dogs, wild swimmers and family swimmers invaded my swim and my fishing was finished for the day by 11am. Paying as much as we do for fishing, this is very disappointing. I realise it is one of the perils of fishing the Wye in summer, but that doesn't make it any less irritating.

4 Barbel, 5 Chub

Started in the faster water below the bridge, which produced 2 average size barbel and a chub. Due to canoes and selfish idiots swimming right through the deeper glides (and right through the swims we were fishing!), it was necessary to move at midday and find some deeper, quieter swims. This produced a corking 8lb 4oz barbel in the early evening. All fish in perfect condition, and fighting well.

3 Barbel, 1 Chub

A wonderful day on the beautiful Wye. Although conditions were very blustery and grey, the fish fed throughout the session with the better barbel coming late in the afternoon. No monsters but I managed my Wye PB barbel of a shade under 9lb. Most of the chub I caught showed predator scars - presumably pike.

5 Barbel, 4 Chub

Very hot day with locals and dogs swimming in the river. Had 4 good chub on float fished bread many thanks.

4 Chub

1 special little chublet saved me from a blank on caradoc today. Tried trotting for 4hrs in to different pegs and feeders fished 3 different pegs. I think the weather may have had something to do with it scorching. Just couldn't find there hear wave hiding places. So thanks mr/mrs chub you saved my bacon. JUST!

1 Chub

Tough day on the river - bright and sunny which put the fish off and attracted swimmers, picnics, news, dog walkers and rock throwers down to the river. A little frustrating that some good looking areas were basically no go areas. Be aware if you cherish peace and quiet!

1 Barbel, 6 Chub

7 Barbel

No sign of fish. Raw and muddy water. Very good beat if condition is good...

A wonderful first day for me on Caradoc, a beautiful place for a days fishing with good banks with fly and spinning water with the benefit of being able to drive your car along all of the bank when dry. fished the fly below the suspension bridge most of the day, lots of shad taking and bumping the fly to give some fun with the absence of any sign of salmon . Anglers beware of the wasp nest on the back of the toilet door by the hut, they certainly gave me a buzz when I opened it !! ( Ha Ha )
15 plus Shad

9 Other

Caradoc was a lovely beat to fish and I can see with 1' to 2' of extra water the whole river would liven up, as it was .24 on the Ross guage and we were always going to struggle I think.
Unfortunately we would never fish Caradoc again at the weekend as canoe traffic was very high especially in the morning. Despite several signs displayed by the owners not to beach, light fires or BBQ's the shingle banks below the suspension bridge were a magnet for groups of canoeists to do exactly the opposite. I had two chaps decide to try and stop mid-stream in the narrows, right opposite me as fly fishing this run, to chat with mates around a fire on the bank. I politely asked if they could move through quickly and was answered with the stock answer " you don't own the river " to which I replied " no but I do pay a rod licence and rent to fish the beat and they contribute nout" and off they went having completely disturbed the pool. These were followed by the same group of approx. 10 canoes that upset another angler later in the day downstream at Upper Bigsweir ( seen on his catch return ). We could hear them coming from over half a mile away playing a loud sound system on board and as they went by a trail of cannabis smoke filled the air, young Welsh lads on a jolly up, but as they passed my brother fly fishing below me one decided to capsize in the last and most promising pool at the bottom of the river. After about 10 mins of chaos trying to sort themselves out they were gone to annoy those downstream.
I hadn't fished the Wye for about 15 years and this was a 4 day trip to celebrate my brothers birthday so was surprised at how things have changed, and to me a lack of respect from walkers who think its ok for there children to throw rocks into water you are about to fish, dogs owners doing the same with sticks and canoes all over.
Apart from all the moans we did have a great time and my brother managed a fresh 9lb fish on his birthday fishing a guest ticket at Ross on the Friday.