Feedback & Reports

Conditions good. Slight colouring of water. A few mayfly. Lots of kingfishers. Only 4 small trout caught. All returned.

4 Trout

My first time on the Clettwr and having read the catch returns it felt like I was about to embark on an expedition into some unexplored rainforest.
I initially struggled to find the start of the beat as I could only find one of the white posts that were meant to lead down to it. This was right by the car so from there had to rely on the maps provided, an OS map and the footpath to get down to where I assumed I could start fishing. Even then it took a while to find somewhere with a gentle enough slope to safely climb down to reach the water. This I eventually achieved but I am sure I missed out a good chunk of the beat.
Once I was down in the gorge I was in my element. To me this really is the epitome of wild stream fishing. Down there you feel like you are miles away from civilization, the only footprints seen belonged to Otters and the challenge of making your way upstream, sometimes past quite daunting obstacles makes it even more satisfying. To top it off the fish were feeding and over the course of four and a bit hours landed 12 fish. The first and biggest fish was a cracker at 16 inches which absolutely smashed into my Parachute Adams. It was taken from a deep pool which I shortly afterwards very nearly slipped into as I tried to get past it. I also had a 13" fish further up and lost another of a similar size. The rest were mostly between 6 and 8 inches. Most were taken on the Klinkhammer and a few of the smaller fish were taken on a spider fished New Zealand style. Takes were really aggressive and I missed goodness knows how many and lost even more.
It was a warm, still and humid day and as a result the place was teeming with insects, many of which I have never seen before. There was also a small but steady trickle of Mayflies throughout the whole time I was there.
All in all an amazing day. Unfortunately a limited amount of time and the challenging terrain resulted in me only covering about half the beat. For this reason I will definitely be back but as I have now experienced first hand why so many other anglers have reported getting wet. I will next time bring along a waterproof bag for my phone, wallet etc.

12 Trout

River in perfect order with a couple of salmon showing and one big swirl at the fly but unfortunately nothing biting.

A fun stretch to fish and a challenge to wade and negotiate the banks but worth it. Sadly very few fish on show and those that I found were too wily for me but why should the fish lose every time? Great drive over the hills from Hay on Wye during the festival there.

I used 4 different dry flies and only action was on Daddy Long Legs. Unfortunately I didn't catch anything. It was my first experience of wild streams and only the second time I'd fished with flies. I loved it. Nature up close and at its best. The first day was at Lower Grywne Fawr, the second day was at Pontithel. The first was more remote, the second had more water and more fish. Both excellent.
Stayed at the Wye Knot Stop Cafe - good room, very friendly and good breakfast. Across the road was the Griffin Inn - great pub, good food and even better beer.

Had the stretch to myself for the day, which is a privilege in itself. Walked the whole length and back which meant I passed many holding spots for the resident Brown Trout. Caught 4 to half a pound, but sure there are some big fish about. Lovely noonish hatch with various mayfly in attendance, and late afternoon sedges a plenty.
Stunning place. Difficult wading due to 90% Bedrock but will be back for more. Took fish on Dry Yellow Duns, Wolff's and Red/Brown Sedges. Nymphing is the order of the day if sunny but found fish with cover rising. A joy to fish.

4 Trout

We were disappointed with this beat. The lower section flows through a very steep sided valley and can be accessed only at the bridge at the bottom. It did not look too appealing so we fished the upper section and found it hard going. Wading stick was essential and the fish were not at all co-operative. Our progress was blocked by a fairly major waterfall. We decided not to go back down and fish the lower section but to move up to the next beat which we had also booked - this was a good decision.

2 Trout

This is an excellent beat and we thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon here particularly after the disappointment of the lower beat. Fish were rising to mayfly on and off and we had great sport even though our proficiency at hooking the many takes that came our way was poor. This was the only beat we fished during 4 days where we saw a long pool with trout rising to flies all the way up along - a great sight. Would happily return to this beat.

7 Trout

Upgrade of two trout rods to salmon due to water.

3 Trout

The trout was small 6-7in taken on dry fly a second fish larger, was lost, I use barbless hooks. A grayling about 13 inches taken on nymph. There was plenty of fly life about but very few rises.

1 Trout, 1 Grayling