Feedback & Reports

8 x grayling 11-16 inches, mostly around 14-15 inches; 7 x trout 6-10 inches, on a small Klinkhammer and the good old Red Tag. The grayling were still spread out in the steady flows in the middle of pools; the trout in the fast water above. A nice dry fly day, fish about evenly split between the old and the new fly pattern, although it slowed down a bit as a weather front with associated cold wind arrived in the afternoon. As seems to be the case with many grayling days this year, there weren't that many fish rising naturally. It was necessary to prospect here and there in likely places to bring them up, and of course go after any oncers which were seen. Interesting, too, that in the morning the fly was being taken with great confidence when fish did rise, with a hook-up almost every time, but by afternoon the fish had become nervous and were playing with the fly, coming short and boiling under it etc. Funny creatures, grayling.

Very small fish. All returned

Nice stretch of river, we found two people already fishing from fishing 'stations' mid flow in the middle of the shallows which restricted us a little but hey ho!! We managed 3 chub and 1x 7lb barbel so not a bad day in the end. I would recommend a float rod on this beat as you can trot about 60 yards + from one of the top swims. Again beautiful settings and perfect healthy fish.

Whole days fishing. S.M. from Burleigh, Glos caught 11 WBT, I caught 8. Majority of the fish were between 0.5 and 1 lb. All were returned. A few larger fish hooked but lost. Many missed. Fish were taking PTN, Parachute Adams, Klink and Sedge.

The river was in great condition when I arrived at 11am. I got to the riverbank and found plenty of fish rising. Within 5 minutes I was into my first Usk brownie. A lovely fish of about 1 1/4lbs with more than a hint of red in it's flanks. The fight had seriously disrupted the pool I was fishing so I moved to the downstream end of the beat where I met the owner and discussed some possible tactics.

Over the next 2 hrs a further 2 fish of approximately the same size but minus the red hue were taken on #16 para adams while working the bottom 100yds of the beat. 2pm saw the hatch cease and fish stopped taking off the surface. So I moved upstream and briefly worked one of the pools mid-beat with some nymphs and no success. I then left the beat approx 3pm and headed homewards.

Much sunnier than the day before, spent more time taking pictures than fishing. Saw lots of fish, a pair of kingfishers, a mink and 3 cormorants. None caught.

8 WBT mostly 5-7" one of 11".

2 salmon returned. 15lb cock, slightly coloured at Upper Rocks on brass tube alleys shrimp and a 5lb bright fish on a flying C below The Rock. 0.65 on gauge, perfect height. Retired at 4pm.

16 x trout 6-12 inches, small brown Klinkhammer. A lovely dry fly day on what must be the most productive of the upper Usk tributaries. The average size of the fish seems to have increased, particularly at the bottom end. There used to be just the odd 10 inch fish; now most of them seem around that size. Lovely looking trout with interesting, almost orange coloured, flanks. One caveat: there is a lot of loose barbed wire lying around on the bank and also in the stream at the bottom of the beat - wear your second or third-best waders. Can we get any more of this stream?

River very clear, but at least a good flow - originally planned to go on the Lynfi but read OB's recent report so used plan B!
Returned 5 wbt to 9", on small Klinks. Missed lots - they had time to inspect, consider and reject most of my efforts. Still a fascinating, frustrating, and fabulous way to spend a day though!