Feedback & Reports

This beat looked very promising. I parked (as instructed) by the bridge at the bottom of the beat (just over the bridge there is room for a couple of cars on the right). However I very soon discovered that my poor old knees could not cope with the rough tussock grass heads that needed to be navigated to get past the first stand of trees. I got about 400 yards before turning back - it was a hot day and I was covered in sweat! This fishing if for a younger, fitter, more agile angler than me! I abandoned the attempt and went off to other fishing I have, through my membership of Bala Anglers, where access is straightforward.

Water levels were low but a few fish rose steadily all day in the deeper pools. Not surprisingly Mayfly was the most successful The best fish were 13 and 15"
We met two of the farmers who own land along the left bank. Very friendly and interesting to talk to.
I strongly recommend a stay at The Crown in Longtown where very importantly you will still be served supper and a pint well after the fish stop rising and get all the local gossip and have a good nights rest. 5 star rating!

6 Trout

Very hot, with a strong breeze. Despite a cloudless day, there was no shortage of fish rising. This was a day for throwing away the text books, as fish were rising in very shallow water, in blazing sunshine, and were very interested in flies skating across the water at the end of the cast, sometimes making a grab at it! All this action plainly visible and also on occasion where a group of 'dimple' rises were encountered, these turned out to be good fish, but highly selective. We caught seven trout for the day, with one of 2.25lbs, four of 2lbs, and two smaller. All fish safely returned. Vey enjoyable day. Mostly caught on small dries.

7 Trout

6 Trout

4 Trout, 1 Grayling

Very low ( 6 inches) and bright sunshine. Caught one 2lb shad

1 Other

First time on this beat and I'm beginning to learn that ones first visit to a small stream needs to more about reconnaissance than fishing. Locating access points and finding likely fish-holding water (hoping the two are not too far apart) means subsequent visits can be more targeted. Today I found a few rising fish but couldn't tempt them so let's see if my approach works next time.

An excellently-maintained beat, with yellow posts at all the access points along the bank and paths cut through the undergrowth. But in spite of lots of fly, I hardy saw a rise and never touched a fish. I was hoping to stay for the evening rise, but the forecast of cloudy and cool proved wrong, and the afternoon was hot, so by 6 I was exhausted and gave up.

River low, weather warm with some sun in the afternoon. Fished long and hard with only one small trout lost and two takes missed, a few flies coming off in the morning bringing up the odd fish but from about 1pm onwards the river died and what fish we did locate were super spooky. An enjoyable but difficult day on dry flies.