Feedback & Reports

Wading all day and ended with half a dozen chub, best 5-2, plus a barbel.

Nice stretch. Fished beat 3 10' of water in a long glide. Half a dozen chub, best 4-8. Fed the barbel but didn't hook any.

Arrived at the river at 8.30, River was looking good due to rain the night before, no fish showing until around 11.30 then the barbel fed through the day. I had two, one at 7lb and a nice one at 9lb 12oz, and 1 chub, losing 3 barbel (snapped late on a big fish). My uncle Brian had 1 barbel at 9lb 6oz, stunning fish, and a chub.

Lovely stretch of water. We will do better next time after locating the fish. Thanks to all at the Wye & Usk Foundation.

6 chub.

6 x Barbel

5 x Barbel

First return to this part of the Wye for 50 years. The superb scenery, wonderful wildlife and general ambience hasn't changed and Beat 3 at Whitney Court has it all. The chub just as I remember them - big, bold, brassy and gluttonous, nine fish in total, to 3lb 1oz. The barbel, of course, are new to the scene (well, compared to the 1960s, that is). As on the previous day's session below Hereford, they didnt feed until, on a gloriously warm and sunny day, the light lost some of its intensity. In the last hour landed three to 8lb 9oz,lost one in the near bank rocks. The chub ate anything, the barbel disdained pellets and boilies, preferring old fashioned luncheon meat (Spam's limited edition bacon variety, actually; it's very tasty!) A wonderfully enjoyable two-day break that stirred fond memories, even if it did remind me I'm probably too old now for clambering about the steep banks of a deep and fast flowing river.

The river very high and going through like a train. Didn't have tackle heavy enough to hold bottom in recommended island swim (a 2 ounce feeder simply floating on the surface such was the pull). Tried the margins but just lost tackle in snags.

Nearly gave up, but found a quieter area at the top of beat 4 and caught 1 8 pound 10 ounce barbel and 2 chub. Very limited swim choice when river up. Must come with appropriate gear next time. Lesson learnt.

5 Barbel to 7lbs, 1 Chub of 3lbs, water had a slight tinge to it, weather warm.

Ian Boney met us at 6am as planned and he was very helpful and showed us to Beat 3, which was our beat for the day. We could only fish the other beats if no Game fisherman arrived, which was a little suprising as the passport doesn't make that clear. We had a very enjoyable day even though the Barbel didn't put in an appearance. It's a lovely stretch of the river and 5 Chub were caught on pellet/boilies. The sevice from the foundation was first class, we will be back for the Barbel!