Feedback & Reports

Lovely surroundings, and so peaceful. I caught 6 Barbel today to 8 lb 14 oz, a few les than on Whitehouse at the weekend, but still a great day on such a lovely river. All fish fell to small 6mm or 8mm pellets. Cant wait to get back in September. Thankyou W & U Foundation.

Me and my mate fished the beat for 4 days taking 20 barbel up to 8lb and 16 chub up to 5lb. We fished method feeders with 17mm halibut pellets. A little slow during the day when it was very hot. All in all a very enjoyable 4 days fishing.

10 x wild trout, 2 around 14-15 inches, most around 8-10 inches, Klinkhammer to begin and Hackle Mayfly later. A rather muddy river after showers the previous evening - the Monnow colours so easily these days - plus I had a photographer with me from Total Flyfisher so no pressure! But trout were prepared to rise and we had a very nice afternoon. The last of the mayfly for this year, I should think, and as usual I turned over and missed a couple of the larger ones.

This was my second visit to this stunning stretch of river so knew a bit more about where to go and what to do. The river was a lot lower than the last time I was but there is plenty of depth and fast water left in many places.

Weather conditions were perfect - over cast none of with none of the wind that was forecast. Crossed over to the left bank at the top of the gravelly run and walked down to the pool at the bottom. Plenty of flies about and fish rising to them in this pool.

I stuck an Adams on but they were very small fish (should have known really very spalshy rises) so I switched to and klink with a GBHE nymph. Got two trout and two grayling about 10 - 12 inch. The small fish continued to snatch at klink.

Waded back across the gravelly run with ease, bet you cant do that very often. Wandered down to that big flat, shallow section above the middle planks where the fast water runs into a shaded section on the left bank. Got four trout in quick succesion about 10 - 12" on the nymph with small fish snatching away at the klink. Sun broke through the clouds and that was the end of that.

Enjoyed an hour's snooze on the bank in the sun hoping to woken by the sound of rising fish, but to no avail. Decided to return to Cwmbran and come back in the evening, only a 90 mile round trip! Dragged myslef away from a BBQ and returned about 8ish. Lots on flies on the water and some fish rising. These appeared to stop as the sun was setting and shining directly down the river, I couldn't see anything with sun glasses on so I'm sure the fish had problems.

With the sun down fish were rising sporadically, couldn't really focus on one fish, so I just had to cast in the general area none were interested in the usual selection. A few snatches from the youngsters. Cut my losses at 10.15 and went back to re-join the BBQ. In terms of miles driven (200 ish ignoring the drive down to Wales from kent) per fish caught not the most productive day, but always a priveledge to enjoy such stunning surroundings. I shall return!

Thanks as always to the Wye and Usk team, a pleasure to deal with.

Simon’s helpful guidance on the telephone a few days prior to fishing, and then Ian’s excellent introduction to the beat at the start of the day, both served to heighten my anticipation. Many thanks to both.

The day itself brought many special memories. Very pleasant weather and surroundings. Buzzards, Herons, Kingfishers and an unforgettable close encounter with a young Mink, who showed no concern when wandering right to my feet. Don’t think he’d seen a human before.

And then the fish. What a day! Frankly, these facts don’t do the day justice. First two casts brought two handsome Chub, and the day just got better from there.
5 Chub, 2lb 5oz, 2lb 4oz, 1lb, 3lb, 2lb 12oz
10 Barbel, 5lb 12oz, 6lb 8oz, 6lb 12oz, 6lb 8oz, 6lb, 7lb 14oz, 9lb 6oz (personal best!), 5lb 2oz, 8lb and 6lb 2oz.

All fish caught on pellet. All returned fighting fit.
Everyone talks about the fight from Wye Barbel. I can only add the following:
On two occasions, I was sure I was snagged on the bottom, only for the ‘snag’ to start taking line off the reel a few seconds later. 10lb hook link was also snapped twice, and several other fish lost. Phenomenal fishing.

Many thanks to everyone involved for helping to provide yet another first-class experience.

Another day where the way you approached the pools was far more important than the flies you fished. Low & clear conditions on these small streams can sometimes lead to fruitless days if you don't blend into the surroundings and keep foot disturbance down to a minimum.

Plenty of smaller trout (10" or less) providing good sport on light tackle with the bigger fish too wise to venture out in such conditions,(a return imminent).

Fishing with two others - to do own returns. Caught 4-5 "tiddlers" - Fished 12.00 - 15.00

A modest 1 barbel on pellet from beat 4, but very exciting for the children to net for me. A lovely few hours spent on the bank with wife and children. Also saw the mink referred to earlier and the sand martins provided plenty of entertainment.

Saturday morning was damp and cold and the river coloured and flowing strongly after friday's heavy rain. We decided to fish as ML had come over from Boston Lincs. Day improved as sky cleared and river dropped slightly. ML had 3 trout best 10 inches on olives and blue dun. JM - complete novice - 0, but learnt a lot about casting.
Lovely stretch of river and will be back in next couple of weeks. If you do fish this beat do not linger too long by high sand banks as sand martins feeding young.

A very good day, with 3 barbel caught - best 8.5lb and a good number of chub - best around 3.5lb, also a few roach which is good news for the river.

A short beat, with difficult access to the river, should have packed my waders and then been able to access more water.