Feedback & Reports

On my last post I said that the track position was not where the map has said(for years). its new position has now changed again and the farmer has ploughed over most of it. Lucky we saw the farmer who said drive across the edge of the newly ploughed field otherwise we would not have been able to access redbank or luggsmouth as we had booked both these adjoining boundaries. if you were new to the boundary you wouldnt have a clue.
I fished the wild and untouched redbank whilst my friends fished the most accessible and comfortable of the wyes venues just downstream. Fished the downstream boundary in the fast water on float and feeder for 6 good chub 1 big eel and lost a barbel at the net. Rope and spike vital - had to use machete to find a route to the swim after failing upstream. Just about comfortable on an unstable bank but 13' feeder rod only just got to the water due to reeds. Fish certainly all dived into these and the one that slipped the hook was the barbel rather than the chub. Fished 9-2pm. Walked the rest of the beat and its as wild a beat as you will see.

6 Chub, 1 Other

See redbank entry for access details. As usual exit onto the main road is highly dangerous so lucky there were 2 anglers so one could get out on the road to assist.
Once we got to the car park pete decided to fish the famous pool near the pylons at the downstream end - very comfortable fishing off the beach in the low water. He had 2 good chub early on pellet feeeder.
Charlie who likes a short walk positioned himself on the first croy d/s of the car park and fished the float with meat corn and bread to have a very enjoyable day for 10 chub to 4lb plus - the largest on flake.
Stopped fishing at 2 - a bit hot so missed barbel time later on.
Lovelty to see lots of strteramer weed especially at the upstream boundary. But wye and usk - the access track issue does need addressing.

12 Chub

Another fun day on the Dee, mainly small fish although both grayling worth getting the net wet. No doubt that the rising water temperature and bright sunlight making fishing conditions tough..........can't wait for the arrival of autumn weather, maybe a little more water in the river and milder temps.

So much fishing on this ticket, the beat maps are excellent in explaining parking and access.

6 Trout, 2 Grayling

another fiasco on beat 5 after parking where advised to unload our tackle and walk down a very steep hill, through a gate, across a field to find barely enough room to set up and fish the sweeping bend on Lockstep pool. After 20 mins a woman screamed at us to pack up and leave the field as there was no longer anywhere to park and abruptly asked us to remove our vehicles due to a wedding being set up for 250 guests. We left after 30 minutes getting burnt in the process as it was over 32degrees and I only got out of hospital the night before. Not much rest for me! We returned to beat 2 as the 2 anglers that were fishing the morning were leaving therefor we managed to get 21/2 hours fishing to end the day very upset. we would plan to return to this beat 2 next morning before we travelled home to London.

1 Chub, 3 Other

Total fiasco with parking arrangements to fish beat 5 Lockstep pool as previous angler has mentioned. Complete right off.

5 Grayling

sadly nothing but lovely day

1 Trout

Early morning start was essential, and rewarded with a double figure Barbel on first cast. Closely followed by two Chub (6 and 4 lb). Pellet. As the sun came out, and temperatures rose, the action slowed considerably. Raps and taps occasionally through till 3pm, then things started up again. Day finished with 3 good Chub taken on trotted meat down towards Island end.
Family of otters (parent and two cubs) spotted early on. Magnificent. Did not seem to upset the fish.
Maybe the warm, sluggish water had an impact, but none of the fish, including the barbel, put up too much of a scrap. Lovely day. Thank you.

1 Barbel, 10 Chub

Much better day today, fish were more cooperative. 4 decent sized barbel and lovely to see a small barbel of about pound and a half. Most fish were caught using pellets also rolled meat worked as well. Fished the bottom end of the beat both days

5 Barbel, 1 Chub