Feedback & Reports

The anglers on the far bank, opposite the beach, packed up after a couple of hours and that probably should have been our cue too. However, we stuck it out, but for little reward. The noisy pump is a constant reminder of how abstraction continues even when the Wye is rock bottom low.

1 Barbel, 4 Chub

With the river very low, never going to be easy but steadily caught trout and grayling to 10 inches throughout the day.

8 Trout, 12 Grayling

The second day of our trip. The two of us that caught the day before started in the same swims we ended in the previous evening. I was in the waterworks swim but couldn't get a touch so decided on a move. The same was for the two of the party who struggled on the Saturday. The fourth member of our party got of to a great start with an 11 lbs 3 ozs barbel in the woods, his second double in two days. By late morning he had caught two more barbel and decided to head home very satisfied with his 12 barbel over two days. As the other two also decided to head home early I moved into my friends swim. A good move! Steady action came through the rest of the day and I ended up a tired but happy angler after bagging ten barbel to 9 lbs 13 ozs and six chub to 4 lbs 8 ozs. The session showed what Courtfield is about. It can be hard going at times but if you get on the fish the rewards are like nowhere else. I suspect the fish will spread out a bit if we get some rain but seem very localised at the moment, making it hard for everyone to catch. The fish were all in immaculate condition. Will be back next year.

13 Barbel, 6 Chub

River very low and clear. Managed to raise one trout but either I or it missed.

Fish were returned.

2 Trout

The river was very low and clear, the weather cool and overcast following a long sunny spell. The bulk of our fish were caught in one long glide which varied from 12 inches to about 3 feet in depth. Most fell to small nymphs trailed under a dry fly indicator, but some did take the indicator fly. The average size was quite good at about 12 inches, but we did not see or catch any of the two pound plus fish that we encountered on the same beat last year. Nevertheless, and excellent day on a superb beat.

3 Trout, 31 Grayling

Low level of water, no trout caught.

Fished this lake before, excellent sport and the wild life that was around on the day was great. The fish put up a good fight and were very attractive fish. Would recommend everyone to try this lake, it is worth the effort to get there.

10 Trout

6 Brown trout. River very low and clear. Lots of trout skulking but not taking (lots of big ones). Also in one pool, 20 plus trout in a shoal swimming in circles (have they been stocked or are they distressed?). 2 Cormorants working the water. Hard day. Method: tiny dry fly.
WUF Note: To our knowledge no stocking has taken place upstream of Brecon Weir so it is likely these fish were stressed by low water and avian predators.

6 Trout

Started on the dry, but there was a strong wind and limited surface activity. Moving on the wet flies, I was soon into the first fish. Most successful fly was a Mallard and Claret.

10 Trout