Feedback & Reports

John & I fished this beautiful beat on a less than beautiful day. We got very wet and cold but had a lovely time never the less. We didn't see or catch any grayling - our target fish, but we got some activity from oos brownies, including a couple of reasonable size.
We took refuge in the open Church close to the river at the peak of the rain which was a pleasant respite.
There was one GREAT moment when I was casting a fly at what I thought was a rising grayling only 6 feet away, when a Salmon the length of my arm leaped out of the water, 5 times, as if it was having fun, then disappeared. Fifteen minutes later John, who had been trotting a maggot about 600 yards above me appeared and said a BIG fish had broke his line. He didn't know what it was as he never saw the fish!!! A salmon taking a maggot?
As 'Arnie' said " I'll be back"

9 Trout

We fished the Abernant beat in bad weather conditions...most of the time some 'mild to heavy' rain. We fished most of our time the Lady Alexanders pool. We enjoyed seeing a lot of salmon jumping about, but could only catch two moderate sized graylings on a weighted nymph in the main chanel. I had one bigger fish on the hook for about 20sec. but this fish came loose in the end. Probably a trout.
I also tried to wade the 'stone catch', but it felt to tricky to risk too much. The bank (left side) of the "Abernant stream" was difficult to walk, so I fished only the end of this part without any sign of a fish.
There was no surface activity the whole day so we only tried to have some luck by nymphing and a few times a wet fly.
Loved the day, but fishing was a challenge.

2 Grayling

First time on this stretch. Best swim access we have experienced on W&U beats. River in perfect condition, weather wet windy and very mild for time of year. Barbel 4-8 lb on pellet and meat. Fish came steadily throughout the day. We now understand why this beat is so popular but perhaps doesn't present the same rewarding challenges as the wilder beats.
Thanks W&U, usual fab scenery.

8 Barbel

Hard going today very windy and wet although sticking with it paid off. 2 barbell, one at 5lb 6 and one at 9lb 15 +
one chub at 6lb. All on elips dumbells on a hair with a swim feeder.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub

River in perfect condition and mild conditions continuing. More swims to choose from now with a tinge of colour in the water. Great day in still, dark and misty mild weather. Thanks W and U for leaving this quite wild.

8 Barbel, 2 Chub

Mild, calm and overcast day. Water had a bit of colour and up a few inches from last week. Barbel at intervals throughout afternoon until dark on pellet and meat. Weights c.4lb+ to 8-9 and 9-0 lbs.

6 Barbel

On this day we started a bit later as planned and met with a local guide to give us some guidance (since one of us was a true 'beginner') at the footbridge parking area. After making acquaintance, we decided to move to the lower beat parking and to start fishing upstream, especially because the wading just behind the food bridge is very difficult.
We really got going when it was already 11.15. No much fish activity we could see and I started nymphing. Some half mile more upstream I saw a nice channel and there was frequently salmon activity. It looked very promising but I was on the wrong bank of this channel and it took me more than 20 minutes to get at the other bank at a good position to wade it.
Arriving there, I noticed some surface activity and I put on a dry, hook size 18, light color "in suface" fly (parachute type, and also small CDC flies). I managed to catch 7 grayling, one around 40cm, one around 25cm, the others around 30cm. I stayed there till dusk (16.00), because surface activity was still there.
My companion with the guide took 4 grayling, one around 43cm the other under 30cm, two on dries, and two on a wet fly.
Great day, lovely beat.

11 Grayling

Water at a good height and suprisingly running clear considering the previous day heavy rain. Misty, mild day that produced a few fish to dries. Most of the fish taken with heavy nymphs or a small bug under a klinkhammer. As you can see by the amount brown trout caught the mild winter so far has got them confused. Good to see the new owner has replaced or put in new styles that makes the trip to lower stretch of the beat easier. Great day on a fantastic beat.

6 Trout, 22 Grayling

Couldn't have wished for more on an early November session. Mild, no wind, overcast all day, a decent flow and a bit of colour. WHERE were the fish?!! Found it hard to locate them, four bite's and three Barbel. Tough day. Still, I suppose we are just not meant to know all the answers. That's fishing.

3 Barbel

Another good day at The Creel. Had two good fish and an eel (I changed fishing bags and did not include a set of scales). MB had three barbel to 8lb. I spent a couple of hours trying to catch on trotted maggots but did not have a single bite. Rain stopped play.

5 Barbel, 1 Other