Feedback & Reports

My first full day of salmon fishing, guided by my father (OB of Gloucestershire). First some casting practice (isn't Spey casting a wonderful thing, at least on the occasions it goes right). Then up to fish right down through the V, Dog Hole, into the Stones, which is a pretty long wade altogether. Saw a salmon move on Island Stream. In the Lines, suddenly we had a fish on and we got the idea it was a big one. Then after 5 minutes, unaccountably it fell off. I didn't mind too much, but what father said is unprintable. Carried right on down through Windmill, Maddox, Corner tree and finished on Vanstone at dusk. A salmon moved there but no joy. A great day, really. I could get to like this.

1 Chub

Despite torrential rain in the morning I had a look at Lower Longtown but the coloured water from side streams made the stream very coloured so decided to fish the Upper Longton beat which had clearer water. Fished from 11.30am and found a small stretch of water with Mayfly / olives hatching and rising fish. Had a 10in brownie on the first cast, covered and missed two others and finally had another 10in fish. The rain came again at 1.30pm and the water became quite coloured and fish stopped rising despite the mayfly / olives still hatching.
I will try this beat again when the water is in better condition.

2 Trout

River in great condition now and a fresh fish of approx 8 lb this morning to a small cascade by a syndicate rod on beat 3. Three miles of double bank fishing and only 1 rod on the estate.

1 Salmon

8lbs cock salmon caught on 1" gold bodied Garry Dog plastic tube fly c11.30am. River quite coloured.

1 Salmon

Nil Catch. First time on the beat. Fished from left bank. Easy access to fish The Maddox, The Corner tree and the Vanstone pools. Not at all happy with access to all the other pools above. Everything is totally overgrown and trying to distinguish the pools is very difficult. Clambering up steep banks on your hands and knees through nettles!
Very lucky with just a few canoes. Such a shame about the bank maintenance because otherwise it is a very attractive beat and I would gladly return.

River had cleared slightly since yesterday. 15 degrees C blustery with showers. Caught all fish on upstream bead head nymph and saw very few rising fish. A bit of a rise to small olives at 3.00pm but couldn't catch them on dries.
A lovely beat with varying character and will definitely come again and hope for more settled weather. Plenty of fish anyway - biggest 14", others averaged about 8-10".

12 Trout

Weather showery. No rises and little apparant activity. Fished the whole beat caught 8 small brownies on dark nymphs (Diawl Bach similar). Tried small buzzers and emergers to no effect. Great day despite our poor show.

8 Trout

Slow fishing at first, small midday hatch brought fish on, 2 fish caught and both returned, upstream methods worked best for me.

Was pleased to see the recent rain hadn't affected this beat when I arrived mid-morning. Due to the gusty winds and intermittent showers I decided to start fishing at the downstream end of the beat on a French nymph set-up.
I managed to pick up lots of small wbt using this method. Early afternoon saw me connect with something a little larger and after a good acrobatic display a 1 1/4lb wbt was in the net. Shortly after the heavens opened and taking cover was the only option. A 1hr wait followed and when the skies eventually cleared unfortunately the river had started to colour up. I persevered for another couple of hours but with nil return. Left the river early evening.

10 Trout