Feedback & Reports

The main objective of this trip was to get my 10 year old son his first barbel. Arriving around 6pm, Wyebank certainly didn't disappoint in that respect, the famous bottom pool providing a strong bite on the first cast (missed), then another on the second that turned out to be a 4lb barbel, job done! What followed was incredible action, in the space of approx. 3 hours we had 14 barbel, half of those were "mini" barbel, probably just under a pound but the others were all regular shoal size between 4 and 6 pounds. No monsters here, but quality was very much surpassed by quantity - which suits a ten year old attention span much better. I think it's probably the case that in our entire session, we only had two casts where we didn't get a proper bite. Which isn't to say all those bites turned in to fish, but even so - remarkable fishing in anyone's book! We packed up at about 9.30 as I didn't fancy negotiating the path back from the swim in darkness. Early tomorrow we would be heading to Courtfield, where I had suggested to junior that what they lacked in numbers, they made up for in size... time would tell.

My sincerest thanks to WUF, to Don (the beat owner) and also to my friend Rob who'd given me the low down on the Wyebank bottom pool when he was fishing it the previous Monday whilst I was on Courtfield, check RM's catch report for the 19 June on Wyebank and Courtfield

14 Barbel

1 Trout

3 Trout

Very overgrown in most places, stinging nettles above head height in lots of places, very hot, not a lot rising, none caught but very enjoyable wander up the river

Water temperature uncharacteristically high due to record temperatures. Very few rising fish. River access can be a challenge. A beautiful valley though, Dipper, Kingfisher, Tawny Owl all there.

First time on this beat, on a cooler and breezier day than of late. Tried to park by Fishtec but the Estate was full, went to the farm where the owner kindly let me park in their caravan area, from where the river was accessible. Fished upstream to the bridge, took me most of the day - river very rocky or slippy smooth bedrock so I was worn out at the end! As others have said, there are mainly steep, wooded banks with mesh and barbed wire fences so you have to wade through the river. Lots of mini waterfalls, fast runs and pools, but many have low overhanging branches so it is difficult. As to the fishing, little was hatching and very few rises, none of which were interested in my offerings. Fooled 1 11" trout from a fast run on a para olive, a couple of others looked but did not take, that was it. Looks a very 'trouty' river though.

1 Trout

Much cooler today with some cloud cover. River levels getting low and on this beat the bottom is visible throughout the stretch so finding the most likely looking spot is a challenge. Still managed 5 barbel to around 8lb , chub to 2lb feeder method.

5 Barbel, 5 Chub

River low and clear.12 trout 7-12" all on Adams size 16, many more lost.

12 Trout