Feedback & Reports

Despite no rain for at least 4 days, the river was still coloured and in water deeper than 3ft. The bottom could not be seen. There was plenty of fly life on the water but only a very few Mayfly coming off. Saw no more than 10 rising fish during the day but tempted some nice trout up from likely looking spots. CDC and Elk worked well at times, We caught and released 5 good trout in the 10"-13" range. Pleased to catch one at the bridge pool at the top of the beat with an audience of 6-7 looking on from the VERY expensive Bell Inn (Sandwich for lunch over £10).

5 Trout

Like the Sunday reports, myriad flies of all sizes on the water but only the odd rising trout, could not see which fly they were after and they refused standard offerings. Nevertheless, kept searching the runs and landed 6 (7 to 10"), 4 on paras and 2 on a "dink" GRHE. Missed as many again in the clear water, but a lovely day exploring the water in the June sunshine!

6 Trout

Went for the evening. Water has cleared and dropped. Another excellent fly hatch, including mayfly, kept the trout interested - why do I never take trout tackle? One possible salmon sighting - or was it a monster trout?

5 trout to 1lb landed 4 lost. Haresear nymph, Adams dry. Thousands of flies, very few fish rising. Beautiful stretch of river, fly fishing as it should be.

5 Trout

Thanks for the advice, I really enjoyed my day on the Doldowlod stretch of water. It is a lovely beat with shallow rock terraces and a deep central channel. I parked at the sawmill and went three fields downstream. I only managed to fish the bottom 3 pools.
Unfortunately I did not catch any fish, neither did I manage to rise any. I arrived on the beat around 10.30am and there were a few fish rising. There was an excellent hatch of small fly with occasional mayfly getting up. However the sun was shining brightly and I found the going very difficult. All the rising fish were at the tail ends of the pools in the slower water. They were spooked very easily, mainly I think by the shadow of the leader on the gravel as the water was gin clear. The rise finished around midday. After that there was only a very occasional rise and I never managed to tempt any of them despite several changes of flies - nymphs, klinkhammers, Mayflies - dark colours and then light colours - but to no avail. Some good sized trout came down passed me as I gradually moved upstream - and I spotted a number moving around when wearing Polaroid glasses and standing on the bank amongst the trees. I left to come home around 4.30. The afternoon was fairly dead as regards to fish movement.

Being of reasonable competence when it comes to Trout fishing I dismissed the previous feedback reports of very few fish but do have to say in comparison to other small rivers there did seem to be a decided lack of Trout activity.
There was a consistent hatch of Mayfly all day but only 3 or 4 rising fish that could be attributed to a grown Trout rather than a parr. After sunset the spinners returned to the water in some numbers but again this resulted in few rises and even then they weren't what you would consider consistent. That said, the fish I would consider to be grown Trout certainly made an impact when they did rise showing that there are fish here of a good size even if few in numbers. I did manage 5-6 good takes to my fly but failed to keep a hook hold (or even prick most of them) finishing the day with just one Brownie in the net(a small but spirited little fighter about 12" long).
Nymphing would bring different results but I am a steadfast dry-fly angler when on the rivers.
For those of you who also decide to walk the full length of the beat, wear long trousers and long sleeves and be prepared to get nettle rash! At the top end of the river they were 6' high and even a day after my hands still don't feel right. Getting nettle rash is an occupational hazard.
I'd also suggest you don't leave your bag by the river. It's in a remote part of the world so it's unlikely to get stolen but the local cows do like a game of football with it!!! Apparently they also find the sleeves of a fleece jacket tasty as well. You live and learn.

1 Trout

A truly memorable day. Arrived 10.30am after a 180 mile drive from Surrey to be confronted by bright sun & scorching temps. Nothing to report until 7.15pm when I caught & released my first ever Shad on a salmon fly, to be followed 20 minutes later by an immaculate 18lb bright silver cock fish (my first Wye salmon) to a Francis pattern. Ed Brown, our third rod then fished through the same run to land a 7lb grilse. Many thanks to the WUF for giving us access to such fine fishing and pleased to see your bailiff putting in an appearance too.

2 Salmon, 1 Other

Water running low and a bright sky but a fair number of fish moving to olives and a few mayfly. Fish where between 10 and 12 inch and in great condition. We
lost/missed/spooked plenty of others, including some larger chaps! Lots of fry in the water. A great day out !

7 Trout

A lovely stretch of water but bright sunshine and temperature rising to 20 degrees with very clear water meant fish spooked very easily. Good hatch of fly from 10am to 12pm with occasional mayfly getting up. Some rising fish at tail end of pools but I was unable to temp them despite numerous changes of fly. It all went dead from midday onwards. I was on the beat from 10am to 4.30pm. Good fish came downstream past me as I gently waded upstream - they are there but I could not get amongst them.

Hot afternoon at beacons, few fish seen but not taking, left about 5 so missed any evening action.