Feedback & Reports

Two brown trout - returned. 1/2lb and 1lb. GRHE and Adams. River low, weather bright and cold with showers - including some hail. There was a small hatch of up winged olives in the middle of the day.

2 Trout

Stiff wind hindered presentation. All fish caught on nymphs, no noticeable rise all day. 7 grayling and one small brown trout. The owner has put a barbed wire fence around the whole bank, presumably to stop the cattle eroding the bank; however this does interfere with casting, especially if you are crouched down.

1 Trout, 7 Grayling

I thought this might be of interest to WUF re March Brown populations and distribution: living locally, I have now fished the beat for 12 years. I have previously reported that I first saw March Browns here in 2006, albeit then seemingly just a handful. Over recent years however, populations have steadily increased and this season has seen some really good hatches and this weekend typified this. Yesterday in the sunshine, as a goodly Grannom hatch came to an end at about midday (surely it must be coming to the end of this year's hatch by now!), so the first of several good MB hatches appeared with fish switching quickly from taking the one natural for the other, and likewise from Grannom adult / emerger patterns to a March Brown emerger. Today in spite of the sunshine, and conditions not much windier than yesterday, the Grannom did not appear at all but at 11.30, again along came the March Browns: another substantial hatch in several pulses for about an hour from 11.30. and then fish mopping up the occasional remains in the foam lanes afterwards. Fish taken on a MB emerger and a MB Ducks Dun pattern. Surely too the MB hatch for this year must also be nearing its end? Anyway, over just a few hours each day, a total of 20 trout, many of 11-13" and two OOS grayling to 1.5lb, were all most welcome, and made a bit of flagrant "cherry picking" really worthwhile!

20 Trout, 2 Grayling

First time on this beat....fished 10-1pm....hard going, wind against me and no sign of flies nor fish. Tried everything ..bottom...mid flow...surface but all quiet. Zero fish so moved on.

....moved from Hundred House to Cregina, arrived 1.30 fished until 4.30. First time on this beat and only fished the first 600yds up to the bridge. No obvious rises for the first hour but the fish were readily taking size 16 Greenwells but Adams were rejected. Fishing 7ft American cane and 4wt silk line. Fish were mostly 7-9" with 1 over a foot. 10 trout

10 Trout

What a great day, Mick the Ghillie picked the correct fly a 2"" brass tube fly green and yellow. He told me to fish the stones and on the second run down that afternoon I hooked and landed a fresh salmon about 15lbs in mint condition. It gave a great fight and had lots left when Mick lifted it in the net. My biggest Salmon to date. Later in the day I fly fished Vanstone pool and Mick spun the deep part of the end of the pool and hooked a nice fish. It was splashing on the surface and spat the hook out. Looked a very good fish 15lbs to 18lbs. Great day on a good beat. I would have not fished the swim or that big a fly. So thank you Mick see you soon.

1 Salmon

12 lbs spinning,sea liced. First from beat. Levels still on the high side.

1 Salmon

Beautiful location, cold unfortunately but we will be back again. 3 of us fishing, I was fishing under the road bridge and blanked. One of my brothers was fishing approximately 50 yards up stream from me and caught 1 trout and 1 Grayling. My other brother was fishing about 20 yards up stream from him and caught 7 Trout and 7 Grayling. They will not let me forget this until we come back next year.

8 Trout, 8 Grayling

Like most Usk beats easy to find and easy to access. It also offers pretty easy wading for those who enjoy more security underfoot. Plenty of varied fishing and just about enough water for two rods for the day.
Welcomed by a cold northerly wind blowing down the river. Never really got going, gave up at lunchtime for the long drive home, cheered by Leicester City getting 3 points closer!

1 Trout

First time on the Chainbridge Beat, it's a lovely beat. Weather was cold and not much rising, even though there was a fair hatch around 12. Fished it through with the salmon rod first, no sign of any fish, but some lovely fly pools, will be back for another go soon.
Took a few trout to 3/4 lb on deep fished nymphs.
Many thanks to Barry for his kind advice.

3 Trout