Feedback & Reports

Thought I'd have a day on the Escley today. I used to love this stream and I fished it regularly a few years ago. But now it has sadly become pretty much unfishable. I parked up at Ponty's mill and worked upstream from there until the end of Escley 4, then started above the waterfall onto Escley 3. At this time of year you'd expect it to be a bit overgrown but it has been so neglected that it was pretty much impossible to fish and I gave up after a couple of hours and headed back for an early lunch.

Great day fishing 4 on worm and bubble float 2 with spinner Happy

6 Trout, 2 Other

Fly fishing, No catches today as I worked my way round the reservoir. Tried a mixture of nymphs, wet and drys to no avail. Very windy making casting difficult with small waves on water.

8 Trout

11 x grayling 8-13 inches, 3 x trout 6-12 inches, nymphs with French leader. Nothing much to do with the dry fly rod this afternoon - virtually no rises.

3 Trout, 11 Grayling

Some rain in the morning and a very strong wind, but still warm and sunny in the afternoon. Fished 1530-1930, mainly with nymphs. All three fish came in the fast water above Mill Race with a small purple nymph fished down and across. The grayling (10") and trout (5") were caught on the first pass through heading upstream. The chub (16") was a bit of a surprise and came right at the end of the day as I pottered back to the hut and thought I'd have one last cast.

A decent number of pale yellow upwings started dapping in the water around 1845 for half an hour but there was no reaction from the trout so I didn't bother getting out the dry fly box.

1 Trout, 1 Grayling, 1 Chub

Excellent directions from the trust! A beautiful stretch of the Wye in the heart of spectacular surroundings.
I have always wanted to fish this beat. Mixed weather from rain to sun and sun to rain. Plenty of water.
Virtually no hatches, did not witness a single rise, sip. Or sight of a fish.
The trouble is it looks "so fishy ", with great pools, rolling riffles and foaming pocket water.
I was beginning to wonder if there were any fish at all in this river?
Tried every tactic from nymphing to dry to wet. Not a nibble! very disappointing day after such a long drive.
Is it overfished, is it the time of year I asked myself or my incompetence? Probably the latter!
I still loved being there in the solitude with the hills all around me and will try it again.
Never say die!

4 Grayling

Spectacular beat, Bright sunny day, low river, hard fishing until the evening but rewarded with some nice fish

3 Barbel, 2 Chub, 1 Other

2 Trout