Feedback & Reports

Nice setting, very low water. 4 small trout (to 7 inches)and a few out of season grayling. Most taken on parachute Adams. Various families skimmming stones from opposite bank and 2 canoeists made an appearance during the afternoon-the joys of a bank holiday weekend in the sun.

The day started with a glorious drive from the Rumney valley to meet Frank Williams and a small number of other anglers for a days instruction in wet fly fishing techniques on this stretch of the Upper Wye.

I arrived at my destination for 09:20 and briefly introduced myself to the other members of the party before Frank demonstrated some of his tackling up methods. Even at this stage I was picking up tips and it was quite obvious how Frank had picked up his "Pro" status. Some casting tuition followed and we were led towards the river around midday.

Despite the strong sunshine and very low water levels quite a few fish appeared to be moving. Frank demonstrated the "Across and down" method of fishing a team of flies that included a small copper head PTN on the point, partridge spider on the middle dropper and a traditional wet on the top dropper.

On our first solo session using this method I managed 2 X brown trout of 6 and 10 inches. The set-up also attracted the intrest of a few other fish but none were brought to hand.

Our second demonstration took place in faster water and was based around fishing wet flies/nymphs, upstream on a shortened line. Frank only managed to winkle out a few small fish during this period which I was really surprised about as the stretch in question looked very fishy.

The rest of the group led by Frank headed back to the car park for a spot of lunch. Meanwhile, armed with my new found knowledge I carried on fishing. I'd swapped my rig to some heavily weighted PTN's and tied a killer bug to the point. Working the deeper channel just downstream of where Frank had given his demo an 11inch grayling and 1 other small WBT were brought to hand.

At the top end of the beat another small WBT was caught using this method before I called it a day at approx 4:30pm.

Altold it was a very enjoyable day and I would certainly recommend Frank's services to anglers of all abilities wishing to develop their fishing knowledge.

Bright and very hot day, very low river conditions for the time of year. Lots of black gnat evident and the odd olive.
A number of stock fish happily rising on the flats above the bridge, but little else willing to brave the sunny weather.

About a dozen fish to a pound taken on small nymps and occasional dry griffiths gnat.

V hot and sunny. Not many rises. Two trout 9" each. One grayling 10" on nymph.

Low water and no fish caught or seen.

Fished from 2 to 8pm. 7 trout to 1.5lbs mostly on small black parachute flies with a couple on the nymph in the faster water. All fish released. What looked like some very large trout moving in the deeper gutters in the evening.

6 hours is not enough to explore this beat! A good day's fishing considering the conditions.

A hot bright day coupled with a low and clear river made for challenging fishing. The low water level did, however, allow me to fish parts of the river which would normally be out of reach. Two wild brown trout caught, the largest 3/4 lb, and three others lost. There were sporadic hatches of Large Brook Duns and what looked like early Yellow Mays, plus lots of Hawthorns in the surrounding fields. Fished New Zealand style with a small olive Klinkhamer and baetis nymph suspended below, catching fish on both (including one comedy moment with two fish on at once). Stayed overnight at the Bell - highly recommended! This beat is booked up on an almost daily basis so was surprised to see so few catch reports. Hope more people start submitting their returns.
WUF NOTE: Although the beat may appear booked on a daily basis, day tickets through the Foundation are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. The remaining days are reserved by the owner.

First visit to this beat and on arrival was told by a local that nothing would be caught in this water as they had recently had a major pollution incident. Not deterred I proceeded to fish. It was early morning very warm and sunny and the water was low but there were plenty of fish rising until mid morning. Nothing was caught but this was more down to my technique, as I can see that this water has a lot of potential.
The only downside was a couple arriving midday with their dog to walk up and down the brook in and out of the water, (the dog spending most of the time in it) turning over stones and looking for something. Not sure what.
A little annoying as I had actually paid to be there, but the brook has a public footpath along it so I guess you have to expect this on a bank holiday.

11 Brown Trout to 10". 4 x chub 11".

1 small trout 6", a bit early in the season?