Feedback & Reports

This was the first time I've fished the Wye, and I was advised to have a go at Goodrich Court. The river had risen slightly the day previous, and was falling off during the day. The water was a murky brown colour and there was a lot of weed to contend with.
Whilst I knew the river would be big in this area, I have to say that fishing a beat such as this I couldn't help feeling that most of the time I was fishing over dead water, or fishing in pools where the fish could literally be anywhere. The Maddox and Stones pools seemed the exception, and I enjoyed fishing these at various times in the day; although like the rest of the beat, to no avail. I saw neither sight nor sound of salmo salar.
Very well done to the WUF on their access arrangements, maps and beat guides, which were very useful, although not 100% accurate (especially the Corner Tree notes).
I'd love to be able to say I'll be back to the Wye, but I'm afraid I don't think I will, certainly not this part anyway! Not the Wye's fault, but mine for anticipating a beat with more than a couple of pools I would enjoy fishing, and which didn't appear to be more suited to Coarse angling (notwithstanding this is where Mr Pashley caught a bucket load of fish!).

Water crystal clear and quite low. Seemed like good conditions but didn't so much as see a fish. To be fair there were no flies hatching but with such clear conditions and Polaroid's I was surprised not to see any all day. Checked under a few rocks and there were some nice sized nymphs in evidence so fly life is there. Beautiful stretch though and just a joy to be out with my boy.

06.30 to 08.30am. Fished lower pools of Courtfield, bit of extra water on so put the 20gm black and silver flying c back on line. 1 very active salmon of around 14lb, from eddy of pool at bottom of steel steps within 5yds of near bank and just behind crib. Tailed it and single barbless hook fell out. When released it swam off fast downstream. 1 jack pike from same area.
The single hook snags less weed, is better for fish and all takes so far have been hooked. Anglers going down steps need to approach with care as fish in this position could be easily spooked

1 Salmon, 1 Pike

An afternoon of rain, interspersed with occasional bursts of bright sun, culminating in hail at which point I gave up. Much time spent sheltering under the trees but the sunny intervals brought on small hatches and a few fish to the rise, none of which I caught.

Beat looking very good now looks like a good clean up operation has been done. Gloomy wet day, fish early on taking size 18 f-fly , later on size 16 olive. 5 of the fish were between 8-9 inches the rest were bout 5-7 inches. Great to see all barbed wire removed and the beat very easy now to make your way up it.

9 Trout

Good to see some effort going into the maintenance of this beat, thank you. River 1'5" falling, strong wind made casting trying. A solid take off the bottom croy on bt6, but it was not to be. Catch-nil.

Although the weather forecast was unsettled, I chanced my arm and headed (for the first time) to Hergest Court. It was well worth the gamble. It really is a lovely stretch, especially the first (downstream) half of the beat. It becomes more difficult to fish as you proceed upstream. For a couple of hours after lunch the sun came out and with it a significant hatch of olives. This brought several fish to the surface. The river in places barely covers your boots but there are some good holding pools. I caught 2 WBT of about 6-8 inches on a klinkhammer. Using a 6.5ft 3# rod at times lacked the guts to punch through a tough downstream wind; so I fished a nymph with my Klink to make it easier to cast! Others will catch more but a combination of my early season tangles and the monsoon at 4pm meant I dashed for the car early and wet, but wanting to return.

2 Trout

This is a lovely setting and was looking forward to a good day, however the weather conspired against me. Very windy, which always managed to be in the wrong direction for casting, and made casting very difficult or impossible. The river was slightly coloured after some recent rain. I hooked one fish, on a beaded Pheasant Tail, which came off almost immediately and did not see another fish all day. Which depressed me more than the contrary wind.

A steady stream of insects hatching, one or two trout rising. Managed to land three and lose one. Flies used were Copper John, Baetis nymph and F-fly.

3 Trout

It was a very hard day, windy, rainy and also with hail in the middle of the river. At least one brown trout 6".
lovely spot and lovely beat. I started fishing with 13ºC and I finished over 7ºC (very cold indeed). Catch and release of course and I caught it with a dry fly
(one March Brown).

1 Trout