Feedback & Reports

Only my second visit to this delightful stretch of the Usk with light rain falling most of the day and more water coming down than on my previous visit. Several fish seen moving through and by mid afternoon the water had cleared and the flow had lessened slightly. A coloured fish of 6-7lb was hooked on a black/red- gold blade flying 'c' in Wood Stream pool but shed the hook before we could become better acquainted. Many thanks to Barry, the owner of the water, for his kind advice and guidance prior to my visits.

River was up due to the recent rainfall and was fast paced with good colour. Barbel were caught throughout the afternoon and evening from both banks. Range was from 2lbs to 7.5lbs. The chub caught were small.

7 Barbel, 3 Chub

River very high and pouring through at a rate of knots. River good colour, but difficult fishing, river rose a foot during day, almost immpossible to fish the bottom, unless in an eddie. Streamer weed by the ton and logs the size of canoes coming down river, but an enjoyable days fishing. It is a double bank beat, but can you actually fish from the opposite bank? Barbel to 7 lbs on pellets, would like to fish this beat in better conditions.
WUF Note: Although the beat is double bank fishing, access is from the right only.

3 Barbel

Honddu in prime condition, full of water and fish. A dry klink took fish from the faster water up to the stone arch bridge. Switched to a PTN and had fish out of the rusty coloured pools all the way to the end. Could have stayed and probably caught more but was pressed for time so only spent about 3 hours fishing. Persistent rain didn't seem to bother the fish although no hatch was happening, stayed reasonably dry in the canopy.

15 Trout

2 Trout

What a difference a day makes!! River was approx 2-3ft up compared to the previous day, with an increasingly strong flow and a colour that resembled chocolate soup. Obviously this alone made the fishing more challenging, let alone the mass amount of debris ( which included full size tress) being washed down the river. The rain carried on through from early morning right up until late afternoon. Nevertheless we still enjoyed our days fishing and managed to bank 4 barbel. Tactics used were the same as day previous, as were the baits. Only difference being having to fish closer in on the slacks. All fish once again came from the top end of the beat. We did venture down to the lower limit (in the big potatoe field) but due to two other anglers already being there today and the lack of swims on this half of the beat, we did not fish it. Would maybe like to see a few more swims on this half, as the bends and features of the river here look good.
Apart from that (and the great British summer) we've had a thoroughly enjoyable two days at Middle Hill Court, catching more than our fair share. Well done wye and usk.

4 Barbel

Blank session, river flooded with fast current.

Water level was getting higher and muddier since in the morning. I saw some salmon that kept jumping around. Luckily I caught one grilse with special minnow plug for Japanese cherry salmon. Ghillie Joe was very kind and helpful. I really enjoy fishing with him. Thank you!

1 Salmon

Fished on the lower part of this beat below the wooded area. River had risen according to a local angler by around 2ft overnite and was bringing a fair bit of weed down with it. The weather was at best horrendous at times and made fishing difficult. 5 chub and 1 barbel was caught on a rising river on pellet and meat. A note to anyone fishing this stretch, if you choose to make the walk around the wood and over the hill via public footpath, DO NOT attempt if not reasonably fit, and avoid steep path in severe wet conditions. Still a pleasure to be on ANY Wye and Usk venue.

1 Barbel, 5 Chub

2 Barbel, 6 Chub, 1 Other