Feedback & Reports

Another lovely evening in the countryside with kingfisher and greater spotted woodpecker for company…many thanks to the beats who participate in the half price evening rod scheme, makes this much more viable. First time on this beat – I was trouting, James had a salmon rod.
But that was a little optimistic with water at this low height on this beat so was abandoned in favour of the trout rod as the evening wore on. This is a fantastic trout beat at this height with little water that cannot be easily covered when wading. Plenty of fish rising as the evening went by….not clear to what although there were still the occasional mayfly hatching, also lots of sedges. 4 nice trout up to 14” came to our parachute dries - hungry fish that were rather lean – perhaps the cold spring meant their usual feast had been curtailed?
But definitely one for another visit.

4 Trout

Access very poor, needs a little maintenance. Water a bit low on our day.

Was looking forward to being back on this beat after a previous visit in May. However was disappointed to find a Merthyr member had been salmon fishing through the beat before we got there and then continued to do so despite being told that he was on the passport scheme water. Have raised this directly with the booking office by phone particularly as the same thing happened the last time we fished here - although in this instance a different Merthyr member was trout fishing. It would be really helpful if the Foundation could raise this with Merthyr and ask them to remind their members of their fishery boundaries and the location of the passport scheme beat to avoid other people fishing on the passport scheme having the same problem.
WUF Note: MTAA have been contacted but we do not believe these "anglers" were their members, rather poachers who claimed to belong to the club. Please report any suspicious activity like this to NRW on 0800 80 70 60.

2 Trout

Fished from 5.30pm until 8.00pm on this attractive beat and managed 4 wbt the best of which was 12" and about a pound and a half. All took a dry black gnat size 16. I saw no fish until about 6.30pm and did not recognise a specific hatch although the air was thick with midges and the downstream breeze was welcome. I used a 9ft 4wt which was ideal for the conditions.
The water was fairly clear and although not high, I found the lower part of the beat a little deep for my comfort. All fish caught were from the middle section where at waist deep I could more easily cover the rise.
The lane down to the beat is very narrow and overgrown and the path down to the river is also very overgrown (I had to take my rod apart to make any progress) but access into the water is reasonable for most of the beat. This is an ideal evening beat but I needed more time particularly to explore the faster waters at the top end. There were a lot of tracks in the mud and whilst I'm no expert I would say otter or mink. Possibly mink as the prints were less webbed?

4 Trout

No fish - some bites/takes, but river up following rain for 2 days, and very coloured. Also meant that getting to the islands was impossible. Nevertheless, nice to be on that water again though bank navigation getting much more difficult due to overgrowth....

Looks a great venue but difficult access to river for the fishing.

2 Trout

River fairly low. Nothing rising in upper section though the odd sulphur May, olive and mayfly hatching. Nymphs brought a steady series of plucks and hooked (and lost or landed) fish to just under the pound. All returned. Delightful warm early summer's day with plenty of birdlife...dippers, kingfisher, sand martins, blackcaps and a mother goosander with 10 chicks! Found rising fish on far bank of lower section in afternoon and tempted a few on mayfly. As I left (far too early) an otter crossed the river. Magical!

12 Trout

1 Trout

Hot, bright sunshine so not ideal conditions. Very little fly life and only a few fish rising. Had to leave before prime time. Lovely stretch of water. Note the white gate in the guide notes does not exist and access is very overgrown.

Some sporadic rises throughout the day but nothing prolonged. A beautiful stretch of water. One take on a submerged yellow mayfly dun! Well worth a second visit when the conditions are a little different.