Feedback & Reports

Nil return.
Some observations from a newby - As a rod who is new to river fishing I was attracted to Chainbridge for many reasons - not least was the WUF comments about the site that "Wading in this part of the Usk is relatively easy over the gravel riverbed." Er, no! To my mind that's a bit misleading. It isn't gravel, if it is then it's bl**dy big bits of gravel and I wouldn't have said it was relatively easy! If this is easy compared to the other sites then I'll have to get my scuba stuff out.
Didn't like Barn too much as I spent too much time having arguments with trees and bushes, well, at least my flies did! Couldn't work out how to fish Oak!
A Wiltshire rod suggested a swim upstream from the bridge, many thanks!! I guess it was Rock and spent a lively hour trying to prevent myself from drowning. However I enjoyed every minute of attempting to master the environment and the fishing! The river was in great nick and my nil return is due to my inexperience of river fishing.
On way back to the car I stopped off and managed to catch a roach so that was nice! A two man canoe then appeared from nowhere and confirmed when challenged that they were allowed on the river as stated in the Miners Federation Web site, at least that's what I think they said. Luckily they managed to canoe about a metre away from where I was trying to land my fly, so that was pleasing. They disappeared very quickly as the river was running fast. I'm not sure of the rules so that was that. I'll just have to try again!
Tight Lines!

1 barbel between 4 rods shocking! Great time had by all thanks to Don and WUF for great fishing venues.

The river was at 1ft 11 inches, and reasonably clear. No salmon seen or caught. Caught a 2lb trout in Heirag Pool. Lost a Sharpes landing net somewhere between the hut and top end of the beat.

River still perfect 0.75m slight tint. Result ditto. Less trout rising on the last day of season. Still one more chance in October weather willing. Suspect they have run through to the headwaters. Should hopefully auger well for the spawning season.

Managed to get just one barbel around 6lbs and a chub on a day when the river fished very hard indeed. Nice stretch of water and one we'll return too another day.

Only fished a morning session on this wonderful bit of river. Caught 3 barbel around the 6/7 pound mark all on pellet feeder. River was up but was on the drop. Will be back.

Condition of river was good, water fairly clear. Caught one brown trout about a pound and a half which was returned unharmed. Found wading difficult over the river even with felt sole boots. Watched lots of wild life which was good, good day out.

A pretty slow day despite the favourable river colour and overcast conditions. Fished at the lower limit of the beat intially, but no action. Moved to Hut Pool and had 3 Barbel each to about 7lb. Despite the small amount of fish a lovely day out as always.

One rod had a large trout about 2lb. Second rod had 3 grayling from 1 to 1 3/4 lb. It was a difficult afternoons fishing with no rising fish despite ample fly life. We fished the upper section of the river. Tough going but the fish we did catch were of a good size.

Another good day on this excellent beat. Had the place to ourselves so tried half a dozen pegs between us. Very good day again but strange pattern to the catches. At every peg landed a barbel with the first two casts then went quiet until I changed bait - size of pellet, meat, type of pellet all worked. Good number of barbel up to 10.5lb and about the same number of chub, nothing large but all in the 3-3.5lb range. Caught on elipse pellets (8 & 12ml), meat and even a couple on sweetcorn. First cast on the beach was smashed up by something - despite 15lb mainline and 12lb hooklink! And one not so pleasant experience - saw my first (very large) otter on the Wye but all in all another great day on this excellent Wye & Usk beat.