Feedback & Reports

Really hard going, a bit too much water but perfect visibility for czech nymphing. Fish not interested at all. fished hard on the bottom under the rod tip and lost a lot of flies but couldn't seem to find any hard feeding fish. Two fish to 12 inches and one of 14, no small fish at all. Freezing until about 1pm, then cold rain. Fish all caught within half an hour of each other from middle of beat. A gritty day on the Arrow.

3 Grayling

Very poor day thanks to high levels and limited swim access.
Fished for a short time in the morning and gave up when it started to pour with rain. Nothing caught.

10 x grayling 10-17 inches, 9 x out of season trout 6-14 inches, long trotting. After a virtually frostless Autumn, Winter seemed to arrive with a rush. Freezing fog and minus 2 degrees in the Irfon valley this morning and rod ring icing problems continued until midday. Grayling seemed slightly stunned at the change as well they might; the water was quiet until the sun came out during the afternoon and fish began to bite. Even so, trout seemed to dominate a number of pools. A beautiful Irfon sunset before the temperature dropped below freezing again as darkness fell. Note to self: it's definitely time to change to neoprene waders. Incidentally, both middle and upper parking areas are now a complete mess due to ongoing logging operations on the estate. You need a 4WD to park on either with much hope of subsequent extraction.

10 Grayling

The day started off with the first real frost of the season and with temperature below freezing it was going to be hard conditions. This was my fist time fishing the Wye and was looking for my first Barbel on my Birthday.
The bank was very slippery an some swims very muddy. I fished the last swim near the Island and cut. I would of needed waders or high wellies to fish over the cut as the water was high. I caught one small barbel (my first) around 2.5lbs that I was very happy with, on pellets and feeder early on. The water was coming though fast and made it very hard work.
I will come back to the Wye again in the summer and hope to catch more barbel. I had a great day all the same and a great birthday catching my first river Wye barbel.
Thank you.

1 Barbel

It was a difficult days fishing with the river in flood. Tried ledgering for Barbel and Chub without success. Changed to float tactics near to the bank and caught one small Dace. Although the fishing wasn't too good the wildlife was fantastic! Lots of Kingfishers darting about, Robins feeding on the maggots at arms length, buzzards circling overhead and Mallards paddling up and down. Lots of noisy Pheasants too but I dont class them as strictly wildlife.

1 Other

Fished here for the first time yesterday, river was a bit on the high side .79m at Cilmery, but was running clear, caught two medium sized grayling long trotting maggots, spent a good deal of time exploring the beat, as a result this possibly showed in my rather meagre catch.
However on reflection this was the right thing to do on my first visit and will definitely return, its a lovely location, and thanks to Richard he fishery owner for his help and advice prior to my visit.

2 Grayling

River was in flood - though at a steady level through the day. Fished a large chunk of flavoured luncheon meat. Caught 1 x 1lb eel - that was right in the main flow with 6 oz lead holding bottom. Put it back. Nothing else. Roved, fished the main flow, creases, slack water and at one point 12ft above the water in a tree. I am sure the barbel were feeding but due to my lack of knowledge of this stretch didn't catch. I had a great day though and will be back. Lovely fishery.

1 Other

Found the river quite high but more than fishable. Stunning place. Highly frustrating day with a lot of hook ups on the bottom. The rock here seems to grip the hook especially when fishing deep nymphs. But managed a few. Nothing bigger than 12 inches.

3 Trout, 12 Grayling

The water at Abernant was high and fast moving (3') but it was clear enough. The level fell during the day, and visibility continued to improve.
Graying up to 16" were caught, most were under 12", and mainly caught long trotting with maggot, although nymphs were used for a couple.One 15" and several small, out of season trout were also caught.
We were guided by Oliver Burch, whose knowledge and expertise made our day well worth while in tricky conditions.

11 Grayling

Great day long trotting. Most fish around the 8-10 oz mark, but 2 notable grayling of 1.5lb and 2lb on a rising river (raining all day!). Started halfway along beat and went downstream. Stayed at Hampton Hotel in Llandridod Wells. Cheap and cheerful, clean and friendly with a great breakfast. A very memorable day all round.

4 Trout, 15 Grayling