Feedback & Reports

9 x trout 6-10 inches, Rusty Klinkhammer. Hot and still, the mayfly just about over and very little was rising today - a matter of prospecting in the likely places to provoke rises. One much larger fish lost just at the net.

9 Trout

First time on the Wye a bit daunting as I'm used to small streams took me a few hours to work out fished weighted nymphs through the gutters and took 5 fish including best trout 14 inches and a similar sized grayling, tried dries but as it was bright and sunny nothing was coming up at all. Break for afternoon then picked up again at 6 hard going at first but was lucky enough to be in the middle of a mayfly spinner fall from around 8.30 took 5 in the next 30 mins including one Dace the rest were grayling missed countless takes as well and lost a few to boot. In my dreams I will be in the Wye during a spinner fall! One thing to note the beat limits have changed and the owner of the lower beat fiercely challenged me as to where I started fishing which was right place per the revised beat map which I shared with him just be aware of the changes or I suspect he'll run you off.

2 Trout, 7 Grayling, 1 Other

The day was bright and the river low and clear. All fish taken on a parachute and although nothing over 6 inches they put up a spirited fight on my 6ft #3 rod.

6 Trout

Water a tad coloured, few rises - but the overall stamp of fish v good. Smallest 12" , biggest just a smidge under 17" from the pool right in front of the studio.

3 Trout

Felt adventurous so went to the Duhonw, a stream pretty much ignored by everyone including me. Parked at Dol Lynn Wydd farm at the bottom of the beat, the owner of the house did not mind me using the small pull in opposite the house. He said he had never seen anyone fishing, didn't even know if there were fish in the stream! Found a way in with his advice, and waded up the full beat - easy wading except for the stretch above the last bridge where the stream turns into a Clettwr clone. There is much tree growth everywhere, the WUF description is out of date! Nevertheless, where I could get a para adams on the water in reasonable style, the trout were there - landed 4 at 7 to 10", and missed or lost many more. I think some clearance work to open up some of the pools would be very worthwhile, the stream has plenty of feisty wbt. Just don't expect to be able to use 'normal' fly casting!

4 Trout

Perfect summer flow conditions for the bottom pool which fished well early and late with barbel to 8lb and chub to 5lb. Also enjoyed trotting a float on faster water on the far side past the island which produced some good barbel and chub on the centrepin. Most fish to pellets but with meat also doing well. Don't pack away too early, the best fish came at last knockings! Lovely start to the season.

24 Barbel, 28 Chub

Occasionally the angling gods smile down on you and today was my day. An early start saw action from the second cast with a 4lb Chub. Then the Barbel moved in. Apart from a spell between 09:00 and 12:00 with no bites, I caught Barbel regularly all day, and what fish they were. I had 20 Barbel in total with 3 fish between 9lb and 9lb 13ozs. These were topped by my first Wye double that went 10lb exactly. Simple feeder and pellet tactics were all that was needed. If you ignored the taps from Chub, the Barbel bites were rod bending, bait runner screaming, unmissable takes. On days like this it seems ridiculously easy. It makes up for all the difficult days when the fish will not co operate. I have caught large numbers of Barbel before and I have had a handful of 9lb fish before, but to catch this many large Barbel in a day is exceptional fishing in anybody's book. What a fishery! Time to plan my next trip I think.

20 Barbel, 4 Chub

Had a red letter day. Got to river for dawn and fished Boys Rocks. After a worryingly slow start the bites and fish just kept coming with a quiet few hours around mid day and another spell of fish and bites until early evening. Total 11 Barbel and 2 big Chub both over 4 Lbs easily. Must have lost 6 or seven other Barbel. Fish were between 4 Lbs and 9 Lbs most over 6. All but one fish on feeder and pellets with one Chub on rolling meat. Makes up for my blank last year on my last trip but that's fishing.
Just one small point is the lack of access to the top end of the river. Any more than 2 anglers will need to be able to clear some swims. Love the Wye but it really should be better as people travel a long way to fish it!

11 Barbel, 2 Chub

Fished 7.30pm until dark. Two wbt 5" and 10" in first 10 minutes on coch y bondhu - then blank.

2 Trout

Bright sunny day, some fish rising in the morning but no luck for me. The highlight for me was when I saw a mink run down the bank and swim across the river. Memorable day despite no fish caught.