Feedback & Reports

Conditions were against us yet again but nonetheless being the rugged, adventurous, brave (stupid) guys we are, we decided to give it a bash. As expected, and despite choosing the faster pegs we struggled in the morning session so retired to our base in Fownhope for pork pie and watch Wolves beat Southampton. And another nap in the garden.

Freshly rested and with three points in the bag, we returned to the river and it came to life for one of us mid-afternoon with 3 barbel and a mini chub. These were taken in the deeper, faster water on the v shaped peg (you’ll know what I mean when you get there). Some chub and dace came off some of the other pegs too so not entirely a wasted day.

And it could never be a wasted day on such a beautiful spot.

Oh and don’t be worried about the nosey cows in the field –they’re behind an almost invisible fence which one of us found out was electrified by accidentally touching it with an extended landing net.

3 Barbel, 4 Chub

A pleasant day on The Wye in spite of low water making fishing difficult

3 Barbel, 2 Chub

Overcast and cool to start with but clearing and warming significantly through the day. The fishing obsessed side of me was regretting having had a sociable hearty breakfast in our B&B as this, coupled with it being the first time on the beat needing the inevitable full walkthrough, meant no fishing till 1000.
There were only a few swims where you couldn't see the bottom all the way across when the sun came out but the really alarming thing was there were no signs of fish in these areas. The 3 of spread out on the lower half of the beat and this only produced one chub each across the day. We did have 4 barbel from the same swim, 3 to Steve (inc. a cracker of 8.14) and 1 to me (last cast!) after Steve and Mr P left, all on meat over pellets. Mr P had 4 barbel from another stretch the previous day so he wasn't too disappointed. A lovely spot but it desperately needs rain to make the whole stretch productive but I guess that's the story on most of the Wye. Thanks to the very helpful farmer who helped us greenhorns settle in.

4 Barbel, 3 Chub

See other report

Day started badly, arrived to find someone fishing the spot I had put some bait into yesterday, fishing it from the gravel bar in the middle of the river accessed from the opposite bank. Phoned Wye and Ask when the office opened and thanks to prompt action from Alison and the estate office he was moved on about 10:30. Moved into where I had hoped to fish and had 8 Barbel in a mad 90mins at the end of the day. All on pellet/feeder/PVA bag. Interesting/strange - no sign of a chub today nor yesterday.

8 Barbel

8 Barbel, all on pellet/feeder, came spread throughout the day. Included 2 “next generation” only 15-20 cm long, pristine condition, tough fighters, couldn’t believe how small they were after the fight they put up, they will be a real handful when they grow up.

8 Barbel

No fish caught not surprising really. Constant canoeists beaching on the exposed gravel in front of me, then a group of teenagers decided to jump in and go swimming then throwing stones into the river not Happy.

This beat badly needs rain, kept moving about trying to find fish on the bottom section fish caught in the evening. Biggest barbel 8-13

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

I fished the fast water again and was fairly successful with 4 Barbel and two chub, I only weighed the biggest fish which was 8lb 12oz, again all fish in good condition and needed no recovery time and swam off well. Just a moan about the condition of the swims, the majority are unfishable in low water conditions and surrounded by snags (overgrowing trees) in high water conditions. The fishery owner needs to do something about this, some of the swims are dangerous especially to the less agile fishermen. I always take a rope long enough to reach the water which I feel could help if you fell. We are paying £25 plus a day for the privilege fishing these beats and there needs to some sort of payback ( my local fishing club is £80 a year with the chance of catching 40lb + carp)

4 Barbel, 2 Chub

Writing for a friend. Very limited choice of swims due to my lack of agility, I had no choice but fish the slower water which I think is reflected my fishing result. If I fish the Wye again it will have to be somewhere more accommodating.

1 Chub