Feedback & Reports

A very enjoyable return to a river and beat that was fished regularly 50 years ago. Unfortunately no fish were caught at this visit. The weather was poor very wet and the river rising. By mid day water was coloured and no chance of taking a fish on fly.

Like all of us waiting for the rain to arrive and found we were lucky with a foot of water on the river! Started to fish at the top end of the field in the deep slower water. Was bit slow to start catching chub most of the day and ending up with 12 chub from 2lb to 4lb followed up with 4 barbel between 5lb and 8lb loosing 2 (with a shake of the head) all caught on the meat and pellet! However my fishing buddy done much better catching 10 barbel all between 5lb and 8lb and loosing 2 also! caught steady on pellet! even with the 20 or so swans feeding infront of us!

Just the one Barbel, 8lb 1oz and lost another in the morning. But the highlight for me was spotting an otter, though appreciate that may not be good news for the fish. Returned in the evening for a couple of hours but nothing doing. Enjoyable trip despite the lack of fish.

Fished lower section, caught 2 small brownies both about 8".
Used small black spider pattern, both fish returned.
Worked my way back upstream saw a few fish rise so put on a dry fly rose one fish but struck to fast and missed him. What a nice river the usk is felt totaly secluded, not a bit like the ever popular river Dee well worth the 200+ mile round trip.

Well done Wye Usk Foundation!

I think we were lucky to catch the river fining down nicely after last week's much needed flush of rain.
I had 6 barbel to 9lb from 3 different swims, and 3 chub to 4lb. Fish caught on pellets and little boilies.
J M caught 5 barbel to over 7lb and lost what seemed to be a bigger one on last cast of the day.
We both suffered the obligatory losses of feeders and end rigs - I wonder how many feeders and hooks festoon the Wye barbel pools!
A good day's fishing on this lovely river in beautiful countryside - worth the 200 mile round trip.
Just one observation which slightly takes the edge off the fishing... When I started looking I noticed that most of my fish had other quite fresh hook marks in their mouths. One fish had evidence of three recent hookings. It seems to be a feature of the Wye that the barbel tend to be concentrated in quite small areas. With the continual increase in angling pressure, some of these shoals are being fished for every day. Just an observation - and as this has been our first year fishing the Wye, I admit to being part of the problem. The fish don't seem to come to harm and the fishing is too good to pass by. I wonder if the barbel will eventually become as wary of tackle as the fish on our local Avon and Stour.
This short beat gives a very nice day's fishing for two anglers, with easy access and enough likely swims to be interesting.
Thanks WUF

Having struggled on White House beat with weed and wet weather with only one lost fish between us. Sunday saw us on Middle Hill Court with glorious weather and a river carrying a foot or so of extra water. We spent the day on feeder tactics with hemp/pellets, hookbait-larger pellets.
Chose a lovely nearbank glide below the small rapids towards the top of the beat but drew a blank. Spent the afternoon in a couple of swims in the middle of the beat and G Gordon caught his first ever barbel of 6.5lb, 7lb, and 7.5lb. Unfortunately we had to leave for home having finally located some fish. Great weekend and great service, thanks.

4 grayling of about 9 inches caught and returned safely. 2 on dry fly and 2 on pheasant tail nymph. 4 or 5 other grayling hooked briefly and lost. No trout caught or seen.

Late decision to fish based on Webcam river height.
River a little dirty so spinning with no joy but saw a small Grilse running mid afternoon. Early evening water clearer so fished the fly and took cock salmon on E.Drury stoats tail 10 , slightly colouring @ 35 inches long . Fish returned - any help guessing weight W U F please?
My best on fly and impossible without excellent infrastructure of the foundation. Many many thanks for a wonderful service.
Chris J

***WUF Note*** A fish that measures 35" long, is estimated to be around 17lbs - congratulations and well done!

Another total blank - absolutely nothing showing.

Very difficult conditions with heavy rain and water rising throughout the day by 3ft. Managed to catch 12 brownies size 9-12" using gold head cats whiskers. WUF helpful as usual. Thank you! All fish safety returned.