Feedback & Reports

Blank for grayling; 20 odd out of season trout. I may have jumped the gun a bit here and started a day too early. Water still high (0.65), running clear, and much, much colder than last time I was able to get into the river. All the accessible grayling holts seemed to be occupied by mostly small and definitely unwanted trout - twice I had a double hook-up. Meanwhile the target species was keeping well out of the way. Still, it was good to be back on the river. Try again tomorrow.

For once the conditions were perfect for trotting with the river fining down and the weather overcast with no wind. I was not dissapointed as the Grayling were queing up from the first trot down. For a couple of hours in the morning I could do no wrong with a bite almost every cast. The Grayling shoal then moved away or stopped feeding and I picked up occasional Grayling and oos Trout, including one of 2lb 5oz. The Chub failed to show up but a great day nonetheless with 22 Grayling to 1lb 10ozs with most around the 1lb mark.

18 Trout, 22 Grayling

River level still falling slowly. Second day tried trotting on a decent looking stretch. No bites on bread or maggots. Went back to legering meat instead and picked up a 2lb 9oz chub and missed several other bites. Kept moving and picked up a small chub (4oz)and a small dace on legered maggots beneath a willow tree. Had one more small chub (8oz)on meat from the slack on the wide bend. A lovely wild stretch of river that is challenging to fish but I would have stayed all week if I could have. I will be back before the season's end. Thanks to the Foundation for excellent service.

3 Chub, 1 Other

Tried various swims with little success. A double blank being avoided by an obliging 3lb chub on the last cast. Taken on feeder-fished pellet.

1 Chub

A couple of hours spent nymphing. Water levels on Dore slightly deeper than hoped. Sadly could only connect with brownies today and failed to locate the Dore grayling. Nice little beat.

With the river still pushing through and coloured from the heavy rain, we decided to try catch some Pike using Plug Lures as. The lures were > 3 1/2 inches in line with our spinning byelaws (1st Nov - end of Feb). 18lb Hen took a lure up against the Breconshire bank. In perfect condition and released quickly following short recovery.

1 Salmon

River still dropping slowly, walking up from the lower limit, settled on two trotting pegs but not a bite between us, either on float or feeder pellet. Moved to first peg at the lower limit and fishing for last couple of hours resulted in Chub of 2lb 8oz, 3lb, and just under 4lb. Two on luncheon meat and the other on pellet feeder. Disappointing days fishing but the peace and quiet of fishery was excellent.

3 Chub

Having struggled on Middle Hill Court the previous day we optimistically thought Holme Lacy would produce the goods as in previous trips. Sadly, upon arrival and observing the river level our hopes dived. Once again struggled to hold bottom in most places despite using 7oz of lead! The amount of debris coming down river made presenting a bait very challenging. All four anglers blanked including Birthday Boy P, who was hoping to catch his first Barbel. Better luck next time I guess. Still one of my favourite beats.

Fished about four swims in the first field. With the river pushing through we managed to catch a couple of barbel, both about 6lbs on pellets and garlic spam. Lost one chub before it got to the net. Nice place to fish with plenty of swims, will be back.

2 Barbel

Not a fishy day at all, not so much as a nibble all day. Nice place to be though.