Feedback & Reports

Since earlier in the week the river had risen a few inches and was carrying colder water following a cold night and early frost. Weed carried on the current was a constant problem. With one rod on Wyebank and two on Courtfield (plus another 3 anglers on Courtfield) and despite Don's best efforts to suggest location, not a bite was to be had except for a foul-hooked 3 ounce Dace and a pike caught on dead-bait by one of the other anglers.

We tried a variety of approaches, switched baits around, lengthened and shortened hook-lengths, fed near, mid-river and far bank spots but all to no avail. Spots that had yielded several doubles only 48 hours before seemed devoid of anything willing to feed. Even the chub ignored our meat offerings, stationery or otherwise.

I think the Government's got it right - don't ever retire because while you're still working you can console yourself with the good ol' "an unproductive day's fishing is still better than a productive day at work".

Thanks WUF, we'll be back to fight another day when the fishing Gods aren't distracted by events in Libya and India.

Hard days fishing! 1 rod caught 7 barbel the best was 7lb 3 and
the other rod blanked. Best swim had a deep pool which produced
all the fish, nice chub caught at the end of the day. Great beat would like to come back. Cheers!

No sign of any salmon. Switched to grayling fishing late in the day and caught one each of c. 12ozs. Were a few grayling rising to a hatch of very small Duns in the afternoon.

A disappointing day with only small grayling moving to the fly, with the largest being 7" taken on both Grey Duster and a variant Red Tag. However this wasn't surprising given the state of the river which was probably between 12 and 15 inches below normal. Flow rates were negligable overall and in parts static making it difficult to move the fly to the fish that were rising. The weather conditions were good if a little bright and because the river was low and very clear made stalking interesting. This looks like a very good beat with a look of a chalk stream about it which probably fishes better with the extra water. Despite all this I felt the day was very enjoyable, and one I would like to try again in a better flow.

6 barbel (biggest 9.5lbs) & 4 chub caught on feeder fished pelllets & meat. What a lovely stretch of river to spend the day on & perfect conditioned fish.

2 Chub caught 2 lbs & 2 1/2 lbs on halibut pellet.

First time on this beat. Was using caster and hemp close in as there was a fair bit of weed coming through. One bite all day but it ended in a hook pull. Will be back.

First attempt specifically for grayling, bit colder than I'm used to! Returned 4 tiddlers all caught on spiders. Nothing moving to dries, until late afternoon when the sun came out and the wind dropped, encouraging a hatch. Got interest in a tiny Tups, but unable to hook anything. Must keep practicing and persevering!! Very enjoyable day nevertheless.

Having met Don the owner (who seemed to be waiting for us to arrive) he guided us to the wood crib, which had fished well for barbel the day before. Good start - brother in law landing first barbel at 7.5lb and losing another fish. By now water rising fast - lots of weed and difficult to fish. Water had risen 6 inches in 2 hours, packed up early with blank for me, we shall return.

A difficult day due to rising, coloured water, rain and wind. However, Dave and I managed 10 grayling on mainly pink bugs fished in Czech style. Best fish ( Dave Collins) 1.75 lbs. Results even between top and bottom of beat.
Nobody said it would be easy, but...

Tight lines when it falls, LN