Feedback & Reports

Red letter day at Bideford brook. 26 WBT and 2 Roach to hand.

The water was very low and clear, despite the recent rains. Expected the fish to be easily spooked. Tried a different setup today; underlining my 3wt setup with 2DT line. Quite pleased when the line landed with almost no disturbance. On a beat with more space, a long rod w/ French leader would be a better option. When combined with Joe Humphreys’s “long-range” bow-and-arrow cast and a snail-pace-wading, I was able to get the fly to the fish in unfishable spots, without spooking them.

26WBT between 6” and 11”; no monster but great to have them by number. Around 10 took size 14 Klinkhammer and the rest took size 18 PTN, both fished single due to my lack of competent to cast a duo with bow-and-arrow. A little pain to have to constantly change them to suit the water but it was well worthed. The Roach took the nymph.

Also met quite a few people walking / dog-walking on the footpath. This was a little surprising, especially when intentionally picked a weekday with lousy weather. Spoke to a few, which turned out to be very nice and polite people. They mentioned the path got very popular as people wanted to stay local during the pandemic, including many dog walkers.

Great day and nice people around. Could not ask for more!

26 Trout, 2 Other

Lovely day on the Wye only managed a couple of Chub today both on halibut pellet . Better luck next time

2 Chub

Upon arrival I found a fast stretch of water pushing through after rain. After plumbing around I found a 3ft hole and a crease in the fast flow. I just managed to hold bottom with 4oz feeders on the inside. I was feeding small halibut pellets, ChemoR groundbait and ChemoR boilies. My first 2 bites were lost on the rocks cut off almost instantly. When the feeders were empty they sometimes dislodge in the strong flow and then get stuck between rocks. After 2 hrs I managed to land the first barbel of 4. 2lb 3lb 4lb and 5lb. I also caught an eel. Not bad on the day. I recommend very tough kit for this venue or you will lose gear. (LOTS).

Strong braided hooklengths saved the day.

4 Barbel, 1 Other

11lb cock fish on edw pool, Coloured fish with well developed kype. Landed at 6.30 pm on a Hardy Artisan with Cascade fly (which I believe was gifted to me and tied by Chris Price)

1 Salmon, 1 Trout

My first time time to this beat and it won't be my last. A really well managed and very scenic part of the Wye with easy access to all of the pegs.

I managed to catch 5 decent size Chub with feeder tactics in the middle section. I lost one good barbel to a hook pull which was a little annoying so need to check those in the future. The river was pushing through at about 1m but falling during the day so decided not to try a trot which may have been a mistake although controlling the float would have been a bit tricky.

The lack of barbel was probably down to my angling experience rather than anything else looking at previous posts and I would thoroughly recommend a day's fishing here.

5 Chub

Access very good (If you have a 4x4) River in good condition. First time on venue, lots of canoes but enjoyable all the same

2 Barbel, 1 Chub, 5 Other

10 Barbel, 8 Chub

4 Trout

A slow day but great fun in a beautiful spot. All small fish about 1/2-3/4 of a pound plus a swallow that took the dropper whilst the rod propped against the bank and I was unhooking a fish. Netted and returned undamaged to flight.

7 Trout, 1 Other

Stopped off at the Edw, which looked a little too high and coloured after a heavy shower, and went on to the Duhonw, which was clear but running at quite a pace. Fished up between the two road bridges with nymphs which produced a couple of small brownies and a salmon parr.

2 Trout, 1 Other