Feedback & Reports

Having read peoples comments about river access we were unsurprised to find little in the way of swims. There are swims at the start and end of the beat (with one or two possible spots in between) but if anglers from the opposite bank (Courtfield or Wyebank beats) are fishing, as they were in our case, it really leaves you with very little in swim choice despite the length of the beat. Much needs to be done to make non-facing swims so you have more choice. There are too many trees and steep banks to try and make your own swims.
Only managed one fish despite our efforts and walking the full beat. Disappointing for what could be a very good part of the Wye. Tips for others would be go light, and stay on your feet and fish where you can. Failing that walk back to your car and fish a more accessible beat!

1 Barbel

River was low and clear today making things a bit tough. Not really any amount of fly on the water but any fish rising were very willing to take the fly. Caught mainly on dries cdc and elk and a tan klinkhammer. Had a couple on a quill bodied tungsten olive tenkara rod, got a few in the pocket water. Fantastic water to fish and the quality of grayling was top notch. Averaged a pound up to two pounds and it doesn't get much better than that!

2 Trout, 9 Grayling

What a difference a day makes! Ideal conditions at Doldowlod yesterday but today was much harder and much cooler (both air and water, after yesterday's afternoon rain), plus very windy until early afternoon, which seriously compromised good presentation. Not much fly until late morning when a few small olives began to be wind-skittered across the water surface. Not suprisingly, not too many fish were rising until a warmer and calmer mid-afternoon got a few more up, but still pretty sparse. We fished duo and single emergers and, between us, had 18 grayling to 13", including good-to-see 10" youngsters, and eight 8-12" trout. A few fish were taken on small flashback nymphs but most rising and non-rising fish were taken on HE emergers. Tough going but not a bad return considering the conditions! Needless to say, all fish returned.

8 Trout, 18 Grayling

Five Trout 5-8", one Grayling 9" all in the faster water.
If the masses of parr/fry in the river at the moment survive predation the Arrow will be heaving with fish in a couple of years time.

5 Trout, 1 Grayling

Quality fishing, trout up to 12", grayling 16"-17".

3 Trout, 4 Grayling

River very low, extreme stealth required. Trout to 12", grayling to 14" with a couple of good fish lost.

2 Trout, 3 Grayling

Just a wee bit of colour in the Irfon, yet it was still very low. Tried NZ rig, nymph, dry fly, emerger - everything except dynamite. There was some fly life; there were a few rises. The grayling (14" to 16") fell to suspended nymph, emerger & dry fly (a kind of Sherry Spinner). The 2 trout took the dry. The bigger was only 12".

2 Trout, 3 Grayling

An overcast day with bursts of sunshine made for a pleasant day on this relaxing beat. The water was low but enabled you to cover most parts of the river. No real hatch to speak of but still a few rises. Two Grayling, 8 & 12 inches to dry fly and two Absolutely stunning wbt of 9 & 11 inches on an olive emerger. Aren't the Irfon brownies beautiful!

2 Trout, 2 Grayling

Last time out I lost one of my felt soles from my wading boots so, as I haven't had chance to repair them yet, I needed a beat I could fish in wellies. This beat is perfect for that, although the wooded areas would require waders. Saw a number of fish in the low water conditions but couldn't tempt any with my offerings. Lots of parr splashing at the fly and two of these were the only fish to stick; one on an emerger the other on a nymph.
There was a good variety of fly life around from tiny midges and small upwings to huge daddies. Lovely stretch of river with lots of variety. I'll certainly return.

2 Other

Very hard days fishing, river coloured up after heavy rain night before. 1 barbel caught in the morning and that was it for rest of the day, not even a sniff. Oh well, that's fishing!

1 Barbel