Feedback & Reports

A wonderful to day to be out - a little too bright and sunny if anything.
It was my first time on this beat and it became obvious from the off that it was going to be a challenging day, as the first (of many!) Trout spooked with me still a good 5m from the river...and I wouldn't consider myself to be overly heavy footed or lacking in watercraft!
However, things looked much more promising after a lovely 10" WBT, followed by a considerably smaller specimen, in my first half dozen casts in the pocket water above Hergest Bridge. A couple more smaller WBT followed over the next few hours, as well as 3 better fish that opted for an early release (ahem).
Having reached Malhallom Bridge for a late lunch, I continued to the upstream section of the beat, where it appeared there was an intermittent hatch attracting a few splashy rises. Another lost fish was all I had to report though.
For my first time on such a small stream, I was very pleased with 4 fish caught and 4 more lost and would definitely book this beat again...but the sight of the numerous dark shapes bolting for cover that accompanied my day shows there is much work to do in my approach to small stream wild trout.
Aside from the fishing, this is a truly beautiful beat with lots of variety of water to tackle - pocket water, shallow glides, deep pools and no end of riffles. Just knowing I had a mile and a half of water to myself (aside from a pair of Dippers) made for a very relaxing day. The banks in Spring were wonderful; Wood Anemones lining the stream and a few Bluebells just starting to come through. Highly recommended.

4 Trout

Not much activity all day it's was cold in the morning but in the afternoon, caught a 9" brown trout on a PTN fished 2 ft from the surface.

1 Trout

Used fly and spinner, few knocks and could see some jumping at dusk.

2 small trout both caught on Greenwell's Glory spider. Very low water, cool wind and bright sun made for tricky conditions.

2 Trout

Too bright, too cold, too low, too clear. Ineptitude may also have been a factor. I note that previous correspondents have generally been catching off the top. The cold wind put paid to any hatch; with all fish taken on deep-fished nymphs.

5 Trout, 1 Grayling

Absolutely beautiful beat would encourage everyone to try it. Lots of fish rising to midge but I couldn't for the life of me catch one. Tried many patterns and wasn't spooking the fish which continued to rise. Maybe the leader was putting them off? At any rate, do not hesitate to try this beat. I will deffinately be returning.

10lb salmon caught from the middle of the Vanstone Pool this morning on black/gold flying c. Saw another show in the tail end.

1 Salmon

Fished 10-2. Rather underestimated the wind - had hoped the trees would shelter the river but found it funnelling up the valley which left me only casting in the lulls. Very pleased therefore to pick up 2 x 9inch trout on a pheasant tail nymph.
This may spark debate but I do think the red spotted Arrow trout are the belles of the W&U river trout.

2 Trout

Unfortunately on arrival private access gate was not locked as advised at booking but wide open due excessive earth moving machinery working on hillside and bank near path down to lake.
As a result of this the route down to the lake was very muddy for a considerable walk.
We both fished from sun up until approx 1.30pm without a bite despite trying maggots/corn/bread/meat/pellets/paste.
It may have been due to the ongoing disruption however there appeared to be no evidence of fish movement at all on the pond. Still cleaning my gear! Place needs tidy up and some fish !

Started fishing at 08:30 and weather was misty and wet, wind was moderate and from the South. First fishing point was on the West bank opposite the small island. Saw a few fish rising but couldn't see any flies about as it was so wet. Fished in several locations along the West bank using wet fly and dry fly but didn't have any takers. After about an hour all went quiet, nothing rising. Weather cleared early afternoon but still no sign of fish. Gave up at 5pm. Most disappointing was the amount of rubbish left by previous visitors to the West bank.