Feedback & Reports

Fished downstream end of beat. Caught 4 grayling to 1.5lb and 6 brown trout to 12ozs from Pemlanole Pool. All fish caught on Snipe and Purple tied with holo purple tinsel body appart from a big grayling on Flashback ptn and 1 trout on pink Czech Nymph. This was the first time that I had ever fished for grayling on the fly so I was very pleased with my day. It was a very beautiful stretch of river, packed with fish and very secluded - I didn't see a soul all day!
This is the first days fishing that I have booked via WUF and it certainly won't be the last. The online booking process was very smooth and straight forwards and the fishing was fantastic.

River still very high and murky, lots of trees down, no fish caught but will go back when conditions are better.

Conditions were tough, the river only 3 days out of flood and the temperature had dropped dramatically. We worked hard for a few small grayling and trout all on trotted maggots, still very enjoyable. Just being on the river and the stunning scenery almost worth the ticket price alone! Already discussed next trip, probably for pike and or barbel late December. The Wye and Usk staff were very helpful in planning the trip and advising on river conditions.

-3 when we got the Irfon, light cloud and windless. River carrying 20cm or so on normal levels. Such a special place, can't really put my finger on it. Took 2 grayling virgins who trotted maggot with float rod and centre pin. We landed a dozen grayling weighing a couple at over 2lbs. Many fish were bumped off and although part of the game when trotting for grayling, in this instance it was due more to poor technique than anything else e.g un-mended line and not holding back the float sufficiently. This improved throughout the day but the fishing didn't, with nothing caught after lunch. My explanation for this was that we fished in a bit of a rush - after lunch there was the niggling pressure of knowing how quickly the day comes to an end at this time of year, we tried to make the most of it but failed. 4 gooseanders seen on regular occasions, and a large coloured salmon seen porpoising in the Grandstand Pool. Magic place and a memorable day. Thanks WUF.

Nil catch today. Had to admit defeat at lunch time when the river came over the bank and we were stranded in the top field. Had a long walk around flood water and back down the road to the bottom car park.

River rose over a metre in 4 hours and was almost over the banks when I packed up. Water temp dropped from 7.5 to 7.2 which I think explained why I blanked !

The river was about 4' up and rising, chocolatey and turbulent with a lot of debris tanking through when we arrived in the rain. Faced with these perfect conditions we went in search of some slacker water near the bank where we could use our expensive kit to haul out tons of leaves, twigs and weed and, in this, we were successful. The fish didn't respond to meat, maggots or pellets except for a 10 minute spell when we had two bites and two cracking green barbel of approx 4lb and 7lb.
We packed up at 5.00pm with our characters built and a sense of real achievement, squelched through the mud and laughed in the face of adversity.
Can't wait to go again. Thanks WUF.

12.30 to 16.30. mild 10degC with rain/drizzle. Island just showing but water clear. Banks not too slippery here. Trotting for Chub with self cocking chubber float with one shot at 18inches, C-pin and 12 hook with 3 maggots, same loose fed into swims. From Quay area 2 chub around one and half pound and 3rd weighed at 4lb 2oz caught trotting well downstream in rocky area. Lost what I suspect was a largish barbel that took off into the main flow. From bank immediatly below Wyebank entry 2 Chublets and 1 beautiful Dace weighed at 10/11oz. Then got a tangle as is only possible with a C-pin at dusk!

All fish in superb condition, nice to see smaller chub and dace which have not been so commonly caught this year are actually still there.

13 x grayling 10-12 inches, 2 x out of season trout 8-10 inches, short nymphing. The water was a bit high following rain 36 hours before but Lyepole was looking absolutely glorious in sunshine and a hard white frost. Be warned - the low Winter sun may illuminate the woods on the tops of the hills but the valley itself is a frost trap and the ice remains until mid afternoon. Cold it was and the bigger grayling stayed away but it was still a great day out. I caught a fox trying to stalk hen pheasants by the farm when driving down first thing in the morning, and there was a ghostly barn owl floating between the trees over the bridge when I left.

Conditions couldn't have been more against us. Hard frost, clear sky and rising river. Between us we fished every swim on the beat for a hard earned 4 Chub. Bait's included cheese paste, bread and pellet.