Feedback & Reports

Fly fishing for pike - river very high and rising - difficult conditions very coloured water with large amounts of debris coming down the river. Looks like it could be a great beat though!

River swollen and coloured - estimate 7-8 feet up on normal levels though level dropped out slightly through the day. Frosty start but glorious sunshine later, fished 4 slackish areas for pike and barbel in hope rather than optimism. Lovely fishery very good access, excellent directions but nothing showing - packed up mid afternoon.

Fished short morning and afternoon sessions. Nothing worked first session, but wonderful spot. Swans, Peregrine Falcon and a tame Robin. (Also Cormorant). In afternoon I tried several baits with no result. Swapped to cheese paste and bait taken on the drop first time. Chub 2lb 10oz. Great day, thanks.

1 Chub

First time on this beat so started early to walk the beat. In the conditions prevailing, there were 4 swims I felt suitable to fish. No joy during the morning. Returned later in afternoon. About 3:3O lost possibly a large Barbel. Hook to 8lb nylon line broke at loop knot leaving me with 2 loops and leger gear!

6 Chub

Last week's floods and frost had gone and conditions seemed right for a couple of end of year barbel. However, they had other ideas and a short session produced only three (good) chub. Nice to be back on the river, though with very slippery banks I thought once or twice I might be in it!

3 Chub

Arrived around 8am, started fishing by the “car park”. The water was clear and probably was up a bit as a bank was so slippery and wet. Moved every 1-2 hours up and down to find the fish with no luck, left the water at 3pm.
At least the weather was brilliant:)

River had fined down with a nice colour, targeted chub and tried all the usual baits and several swims, ended with a solitary chub on pellet, nice day though.

1 Chub

The River was in perfect condition when we arrived. Coloured but not in full flood, but by the end of the day it had risen around 5 inches and was looking very different. 7 Barbel between 2 anglers, the best at 7lb 5oz. No Chub which was a surprise. The best addition to the kit bag was 2 screw-in dog tethers with rope, which made getting up and down a very slippery bank much easier.

7 Barbel

6 Barbel, 4 Chub, 1 Other