Feedback & Reports

Fantastic beat offering a huge amount of fishing. We fished from 11 - 7pm and only accessed half the beat. Water was a bit brown after all the recent rain + showers throughout the day. Most fish taken on nymphs with the occasional spider. Some decent sized brown trout (biggest 1.5 lbs.) as well as some smaller fish, all returned.

8 Trout

6 Chub, 7 Other

Another fantastic day at Fownhope 5. Heavy rain throughout the day did not dampen our spirits or the fish. River was rising by a good foot at the end. SG and SM made the arduous trek over the hill and braved the woods but were rewarded with a fantastic catch. SG fishing from the large rock having 18 barbel best 10.7lb and 29 chub biggest just under 5lb. SM fished just downstream and had the chub catch of his life with 45 chub and 3 barbel. MH found his fish mainly on the first field and ended the day with 10 barbel and 22 chub.
Majority of the fish came to pellet tactics with red being the best colour - must have been something to do with cherries dropping into the river in the woods!!
Thankyou Wye and Usk for allowing us to fish this fantastic beat.

31 Barbel, 96 Chub

First time at Courtfield and had high hopes for this venue after reading some of the reports. The fish were hard to find despite the nice conditions and after trying hard all day at a variety of swims we ended up with 3 barbel and a few chub. There were two other anglers there who had little to show.
A couple of points to note for other anglers who have not been here before:
Despite a few areas having been strimmed the number of "safe" swims were limited and after the heavy showers we experienced, proved seriously dangerous. It would not hurt to have some small flat areas made without damaging the natural environment.
The canoe situation was absolutely ridiculous with a continual procession all day from 9.00 until heavy rain at 17.00 brought an end to the spectacle. We had wild hen parties, stag do's, pirates chinese tourists all ploughing through the swims in and out of their canoes. The fish are probably used to it but we were not, so will not choose this venue again at a weekend.

3 Barbel

Access good. Well defined swims. Fairly shallow stretch. Got rained off by thunderstorms so didn't give the fishery enough time to do it full justice.

I took my dad fishing for his Birthday. We tested out a new one handed reel (required following a stroke). The platforms were in good condition which enabled him to fish a weighted fly and a wet down and across from a chair. Walk down the bank was possible with a bit of support. Result = Two small wild brown. First non still water fish post stroke. Thanks.

2 Trout

Good day of fishing, level low and clear, bit windy, little surface activity. Most of fish we had on wet fly in fast water. Very nice grayling, up to 16inch, strong and hard fighting fish.
Access to the river fairly easy, only car park need to be sorted, I would suggest to park at the cafe car park if possible.

8 Trout, 8 Grayling

Great day using the French leader and klink and dink method. No monster fish but average size being around the 12" mark. Most fish taken in the picket water or in the fast rifts.

19 Trout

Another cloudy, chilly day. Water pushing through nicely on the Edw but little fly life. The odd olive and grannom but sparse and random.
Quite a tight little beat now the canopy is in full swing. Worked very hard for 5 wbt to about 9" on dries - tried out some new specialist barbless flies from a small online retailer - very impressed with the quality and presentation.
The heavens opened on several occasions - end of June, please!!
Early finish to watch Wales delight a nation. Don't take me home......

5 Trout

12 x trout 6-9 inches, Rusty Klinkhammer. A most welcome rural interlude after a week in the classroom. And in fact an even more welcome escape from post-referendum turmoil. Water continues to flow and trout continue to rise.

12 Trout