Feedback & Reports

Beaten by the elements today, very heavy rain all night and all morning meant I didn't start fishing till 11:30am. I hooked and lost a fish soon after starting then took a 12 inch brownie from Tail of Rock Pool. The rain stopped and the sun came out and things were idyllic for a few minutes until a very strong downstream wind got up, why is it always downstream?? Casting upstream was virtually impossible so I decided to find somewhere calmer. I had a few casts right at the head of the beat on my way back to the car and had a cracking take on a dry fly but missed it!
Had a look at the downstream beats and even a small hatch of Yellow May Duns (or Yellow Mayfly?) didn't bring the trout up, took a look off the bridge at about 3pm and was surprised to see how coloured the water had become after the rain and decided to call it a day.

1 Trout

11.5 lbs taken by Robin Stewart on a cone head fly.

1 Salmon

New Harp 7 lbs fresh run fish spinning with a small mepp at
at 1-15 pm other fish seen, river in good condition.

1 Salmon

Holds some good size trout which often take a salmon fly.

3 Trout

Three fish between 2.1/4 and 2.3/4 lbs.

3 Trout

Washed off. I booked speculatively two days in advance of my journey west. This time the gamble didn’t pay off. Heavy overnight rain meant I was greeted by water looking like angry, hot chocolate. It’s a beautiful setting and I hope to return later in the year.

1 x 9" grayling, 1 x 11" grayling, 1 x 6" trout, all taken from last three pools to the bridge at Court of Noke. Dry fly black 'f' and gnat. All fish feeding off top of water.

1 Trout, 2 Grayling

Feedback on the Wild Stream Day. Concept is excellent and I was successful and enjoyed the day. I have fished smaller waters before and this was probably my 7th time on waters this small.
Other anglers were less experienced and I felt that they may have missed out some what on the expertise that was available on the day.
So a few suggestions.
1. Limit the numbers (if cost will allow) so that the "experts" can spend more time with the beginners!
2. Have a more formal opening session allowing people to see what rigs the experts use and the possible techniques that they might employ.
3. Spend a few minutes at the pub with a short practical demo to give people new ideas about avoiding drag and casting short lines.
4. Perhaps have separate "beginners" and "improver sessions".
I am sure a small group would contribute £20 to cover the cost of Gareth for the day ...... he has to make a living I know and many might be put of by the full day rate for themselves.
5. Avoid the "harder waters". I fished Lyepole which was excellent with good access and easy wading. Others were less pleased with their venues and I guess there are not as many as good as Lyepole but that could have been shared for the day by more than just Alan and I?
So overall great value and I would be encouraged to join Improvers groups.
Best regards and keep up the good work.
Wish I lived nearer.

WUF Wild Streams Day
I fished the upper half of the Pilleth beat, success (not counting a number of offers) limited to one beautiful 10" trout taken on a #14 Grey Drake which, rather surprisingly given the amount of vegetation on this beat, I managed to preserve all day. This half of the beat has easily waded shallow stretches, some very deep pools which can be walked round, even places where overhead casting is possible although I wouldn't have wanted more than my 6' rod.
The whole beat is definitely wild, lots of overhanging trees, bankside vegetation, fallen branches etc although WUF volunteers have clearly been at work. It is barbed wire and stock fenced both sides but once you get in above the bridge you can stay in. Below the bridge is a different matter. Fallen trees, deep pools, high undercut banks and stock gates mean you can't wade the length of the stream so I gave up after climbing the fence thrice and went back upstream. There are a few (but not enough) bits of plastic padding, the number of stiles required would not be affordable. (Thought: why don't I carry my own length of foam pipe lagging on my wading stick?)
Altogether, an excellent day. Many thanks to Seth, Roger and all for organising it. Now they've got the hang of it may we look forward to next year's event?. And thanks to the Riverside Inn whose chocolate cake would have made the trip worthwhile even if we'd been washed off.

1 Trout

Firstly a massive thankyou to all the people who organised the day. Fished Middlemoor for trout and Grayling water was in very good state. Tried a vast number of flies but was not successful on the day however it was a beautiful place to spend the day and I shall be definitely be signing up for a wild stream ticket, and once again thanks for the experience. Now hooked on wild streams.