Feedback & Reports

Massive amount of fly life, including Mays. Many fish missed but would only take if the fly was dropped on their noses. Maybe full of food and only snatching at easy offerings? Nevertheless a lovely afternoon.

3 Trout

Some big fish showing in the morning,
No joy though.

Challenging wading, esp.ecially at this water height. Couldn't match the hatch at all!

2 Trout

Falling and clearing prospects looked good even on middle Wye, but of salmon, no sign as most must have rushed up to Spread Eagle (well done Nigel Smith for breaking the duck!). First signs of the shad running with 4 taken to the salmon fly to 3 lbs.

4 Other

Steady slow hatch starting early afternoon. Worked through the beat using emerger or dry as suited. 11 trout between 4 and 6 inches.

11 Trout

River healthy flowing and clear. 2lb brown off the surface on a black gnat, only fished for 2 hours at midday. But still a few rises whilst being sunny and warm. Fish Returned.

1 Trout

15 Trout

Three fish caught on worm with popup.

3 Trout

One smallish trout caught and returned. Despite great expectations based on the glowing reports of good catches recently, the 12 hours of fishing was a waste of time as there were no fish to catch. Plenty of fry but the concensus with other anglers was that the river had been emtied of fish. Nobody was catching anything. So instead of dining on trout I had had to settle for cod in batter.
Not an encouraging outcome for a visitor with expectations.

1 Trout

Fished this beat on 2nd day of 4 day trip. I won't mention the other beats as my fishing partner is doing the returns but my daily score was 0-15-0-0 (he did better) so lesson learned for me is fishing the right rivers at the right time of year. Escley is a great wild stream but challenging in parts due to cover. To get to the top you need to keep moving and have lunch on the go. Bottom to top took me 7.5 hours. All fish taken on a 3WT to an Adams. Largest fish 16", most around 10".

15 Trout