Feedback & Reports

Having read peoples comments about river access we were unsurprised to find little in the way of swims. There are swims at the start and end of the beat (with one or two possible spots in between) but if anglers from the opposite bank (Courtfield or Wyebank beats) are fishing, as they were in our case, it really leaves you with very little in swim choice despite the length of the beat. Much needs to be done to make non-facing swims so you have more choice. There are too many trees and steep banks to try and make your own swims.
Only managed one fish despite our efforts and walking the full beat. Disappointing for what could be a very good part of the Wye. Tips for others would be go light, and stay on your feet and fish where you can. Failing that walk back to your car and fish a more accessible beat!

1 Barbel

River low and clear, fished feeders with hemp and halibut pellet.

1 Chub

All fish were caught early and late in the day. Fished a few swims along the beat but it was the top and bottom sections of the beat with the faster flowing water that produced all the fish. Used Hinders elips barrels with pva bags of elips pellets. Bait droppered every hour with hemp and pellets. I think that once there is a few extra feet of water this will make catches a bit more consistent throughout the beat. Would be nice if swim access from pumping station up to Shut Pool could be improved. On arriving at the Shut Pool/ Swan Pool there was a chap fishing the Bishops Wood bank which was a bit disappointing and unexpected. I have now come to realise you can acquire a day ticket for £5 ! for the Bishops Wood bank.
WUF Note: there are plenty of river Wye fisheries that offer cheaper day tickets. However, angler numbers on these beats are usually unrestricted.

14 Barbel, 1 Chub

14 of the fish caught with 1 rod in the fast flowing
At the start of the beat (waders needed). All fish
caught on halibut and feeders. This is a long walk
and don't like the fact that Courtfield is opposite.

16 Barbel

River condition very good. One negative point lots of canoes this did spoil the day. One barbel lost.
5 Chub caught and released safe. 4 caught on float the biggest of 4.5 pound caught on the swim feeder. We will be back, thank you.

Very nice stretch of water, only problem lack of pegs(partly due to very low water level) but we all managed to find a swim. Fishing was tough but managed 5 barbel to 9lbs 14oz and 5 chub, 3-4lbs. Most fish came to pellet and feeder. Very long walk and mountain track to venue.

5 Barbel, 5 Chub

First visit to this new W&U beat. No problem with walk from Youth Hostel to bottom of the stretch but very disappointed with lack of swims and access to the river, even for those of us prepared to get to difficult swims. Further disappointment to see at least 8 anglers fishing into the main pools and swims on the opposite Courtfield bank, despite fishery literature stating that there would be no overlap of swims. This meant that even if access to the river had allowed we could not have fished anywhere above the Pumping Station, taking half of the fishery out of contention. Through perseverance and initiative we found one swim that produced fish late afternoon but until work is done to provide reasonable access we will not return to Home Fishery. It is also worth noting that the vehicle access to the Youth Hostel car park is single track and has no passing places. We had to reverse on both journeys to allow oncoming vehicles to pass; nervous drivers should be aware of steep unfenced drop down the valley to one side of the road.

5 Barbel, 1 Chub

2 chub 1 barbel . Hard going with the river low and clear

Feeder fished with Richworth Xtracta ground bait, pellet and boilies. Ledger fished over Hinders Elipse pellets. River conditions low. Largest Barbel 9lb 3oz.

10 Barbel

Feeder fished with Richworth Xtracta ground bait, pellet and boilies. Ledger fished over Hinders Elipse pellets. River conditions low. Largest barbel 6lb 7oz.

5 Barbel