Feedback & Reports

Lovely beat, though the river was lower than I'd hoped, only a couple of inches above summer low and clearing. A lot of trout activity, with hatches of dark olives hatching. Alternated the salmon rod with the the trout rod, taking a couple of modest brownies on the latter and losing a pound-plus fish at the net. No sign of salmon.

2 Trout

Fished the middle section of the beat using pellet. A very pleasant day but no fish caught.

Arrived at Fownhope and chose the hike to the wooded area. Conditions were dry and we both found the walk certainly gets the heart pumping. However it is certainly not as arduous as many of the reports suggest although I can see how negotiating the wooded area path could be rather tricky in wet conditions.
The fishing action was non stop with all barbel falling to feeder tactics and elips pellets. Anglers should note that the swims within this area are very snaggy so quality abrasion resistant line is a must. We finished the day by returning to the upper stretch where we both took more barbel.
Fownhope is a stunning stretch of the Wye and the quality of the fishing is second to none. Many thanks to the WUF for enabling access to such an exceptional stretch.

17 Barbel, 4 Chub

After Middle Hill court we were really looking forward to this and we weren't disappointed: river was looking good just dropping a little through the day, today we were being joined by Ken the father outlaws mate never coarse fished a river so we only got fishing at 9ish after I set him up and gave him the lowdown on what to do. David and Ken started fishing in the field upstream of the car park a good choice as Ken had just had knee surgery, both started fishing on halibut pellets and ken's 1st cast he hooked into a 7lb barbel a real eye opener for a trout man he was over the moon I did tell him you don't catch with every cast but what a great start he lost a couple straight after but was loving it. David had a couple of bites but the sun was coming up and it went a little quiet, I stayed with them till 1030 when I was sure Ken was OK and went down to the peg near the pump house. I had 3 barbel within an hour on pellet wrapped in cheese paste biggest being 9lbs then I went back to check on the others. After lunch David left, Ken decided to stay put as he was settled and had 3 chub and a couple more barbel I went down stream and had a couple of chub from 4 swims there was a lad fishing the other side of the river so I missed out the banker peg but great fishing all chub on meat or cheese paste. I got back to Ken at 6ish he was leaving after a great day (he wants to come again) a good return for him as a course fishing novice. I decided to finish where they started I got amongst the barbel on pellet and had a good finish to the day. David came back to get his stuff so I let him sit by my rod and he got himself a lovely barbel it saved a blank but he did only fish for a few hours. Beautiful setting well kept and plenty of fish, saw a flock of House Martins feeding up on insects off the water a truly fantastic sight. Thanks WUF 2 great days fishing I can't wait to come back .

14 Barbel, 12 Chub, 1 Other

All fish on feeder fished pellet, most from deeper margins, only 1 canoe all day! Enjoyable day thanks wuf.

4 Barbel, 3 Chub

I used downstream wet fly and nymph, and was surprised not to catch any as the water looked just right. Saw some rising in the slower water, and had a few 'pulls' which didn't hook themselves.

An enjoyable day in many ways in a very nice, interesting beat. The larger trout was about a pound and in excellent condition, taken on a Grey Duster. I had a quite a number of missed rises in the shaded area near the pond. The fish seemed to turn away at the last moment.

2 Trout

RIver was clear and fairly low after recovering from a bit of heavy rain two days before. Fly-fished (alternated nymph and small dries) most of upper half of the beat, and a couple of pools in the lower half. Caught just three small (but pretty!) trout, and had several others (v.small) come off the hook. One much larger fish leapt out of the water at the dry fly, but failed to take.
Very pretty section of river. Easy wading, but tricky casting among the alders to get at the best spots.
I camped at Bredward Farm (Camping & Caravanning Club CL) which was within walking distance of the beat, - a good site with friendly owners.

3 Trout

Day 3 of the 2015 tour - fishing with James Bullock and Sandy Geyer. Fish rather more circumspect today - a case of findng the right fly! Rather more smaller grayling around further down the river - and more trout too. Best trout 15", best grayling 17" all on dries as usual and all safely returned. Another super day!

7 Trout, 14 Grayling

Great days fishing. Fish fed consistently throughout the day. All fish were taken on the standard feeder/pellet rig. Best barbel was 8lbs 13ozs and a number of the chub were in the 3-4lb range. The river level had dropped slightly from the previous day and the amount of weed in the flow had reduced. Great to see the numbers of kingfishers in such peaceful surroundings.

31 Barbel, 13 Chub