Feedback & Reports

A complete contrast to the previous days fishing on the Lower beat. Weather had improved with warmer temperatures and slightly calmer winds. Water was still very clear despite the previous days rain. A small amount of fly activity, mostly small to medium Olives.
The fishing was excellent, with several Salmon parr (4-5") caught, all on dry fly. However, the highlights were my personal best Grayling of 18" taken on a weighted PTN just up from the bridge in the run under the trees. This was topped by my biggest wild brownie of just over 14" taken again on a weighted PTN (18), an absolute stunning fish. The rest of the grayling and brownies were between 8-12" and in magnificent condition.
This is a fantastic beat, with great variety and relatively easy to wade. A wading stick is still recommend. Another very peaceful setting in a beautiful part of Wales.

3 Trout, 3 Grayling, 6 Other

Rather windy day, not surprising considering the location. Wind blowing towards the dam; bay leading to main car park had fish rising - lots of sedge activity. However, too far for my fly casting skills - may of managed if I had waders.
Observation of two chaps in a boat drifting between the main section of the lake and bay catch a fair number of fish.
Note to self, take waders next time. All in all still a good day, even if I blanked.

No fish under 10" and a couple at 12" all fell to my favourite for 2104; a tan Adams Parachute. I fished a size 14 and 12 on a 3WT rod during a 7.5 hour shift to the top. If you fish with a pal doing the Middle Escley beat (as I did) then arrange to leave car keys and then drive his car to pick him up at The Bridge Inn in Michaelchurch Escley at the top of his beat; and then back to get your car at the bottom of Lower Escley beat. This will save you some hardcore hiking at the end of a long day fishing and if you have to wait a bit at the top of Middle Escley beat then don't sweat it, Bridge Inn does a great pint of Butty Bach.

7 Trout

4 Trout

An improvement on last week at Middle Hill Ct. River still low but settled opposite house where I believed the Mill Pool was at the lower half of beat. Top half of beat was far too low. Had two lovely Barbel in 5-6lb range, top condition and incredible fighters. Lost three others as they charged into weed. A lovely Chub in the first ten minutes as well. Saw big Perch patrolling in front of me but couldn't get them. Kingfishers to keep me company all day. Some canoeists but very respectful. Good parking and the cows were no trouble, kept their distance.

2 Barbel, 1 Chub, 2 Other

Fishing difficult due to bright sunny day low clear water . 3 Barbel caught in the afternoon.

3 Barbel

Conditions overhead good, conditions under foot not so good. Low, gin clear water made for a difficult day. Steady mixed hatch, managed 5 wbt off the top, 4 of which were plump 10"-12"'ers. All safely returned to pass on their genes in the coming months.
At this time of year this beat is hard yards, and far too many of them for me.

5 Trout

One barbel about 6lb caught at 7.00 as the light was fading.

1 Barbel

A late afternoons visit to a new venue for me, down what seemed a long and narrow winding road, and the sound of running water on a lovely day, just makes you think sometimes!
Oh yes, the fishing, I wandered down to the start of the beat, and as normal managed to catch a few trees with my eagerness, and started to think about what I was doing and then got into the groove. Lots of fishy looking swims, but not many rising, so I started on weighted flies, but alas, no joy.
I stopped at the bridge and had a think, and in the distance there was a couple of rises, I couldnt tempt these two guys so kept wading upstream, I was just negotiating a fallen tree, and spotted anoter rise the other side of the tree, now that was not an easy place to cast to. On went the home tied dry fly with a nice hackle, one cast and nicely positioned, and YES one 7" trout hooked, what a delight. Can it get any better, worked hard for that one, one my own fly, perfect rise and take.
It's not how many for me, it's the pleasure of being out and about in such amazing places. WUF, thanks for the maintanance done on this beat, it made things really easy to negotiate.

1 Trout

Mag, feeder, 4' fluorocarbon, small hook, river low, hot, cloudy spells. Barbel up to 8lbs.

3 Barbel