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Wye & Usk Foundation News Update
Friday 27 August, 2010
For the first time in a while, water conditions are looking promising for salmon fishing on the upper Wye this weekend. The Glanwye beat is available for 4 rods daily from tomorrow, probably the best beat on the upper river. 3 rods are available to book online and a fourth by telephone - first come, first served! There is also some availability on other beats such as Ty-Newydd, Abernant, Pwll-y-Faedda and Gromain.
The main rivers are still a little high for trout & grayling fishing but the upper Usk should be coming into play today and the upper Wye by early next week. The tributary streams have now received the water many of them needed so Roving Voucher fishing should be good. The Lugg and Arrow, however, are still carrying some colour and might take another day or two to be at their best.
The Wye is currently in excellent condition for coarse fishing, and the Lugg should start to fish well after a bit of a flush through. All species will have started to spread out after weeks of shoaling up in low flows. Many lower Wye beats are busy this weekend but there are still plenty of slots further up the river. It’s worth remembering that downstream of Hay, bank holidays usually entail increased numbers of other river users.
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation.
http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ 01982 560788
Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Wednesday 25 August, 2010
It’s raining again and it’s going to push the Usk up and may at last move the Wye. Salmon anglers on the Usk have at last been landing fish and they have been fairly evenly spread across the middle and lower river. Wye beats below Monmouth have been picking away and a sea liced 12lbs fish was taken at Wyesham yesterday. Fish were also seen moving. Could this rain finally persuade fish to set off and give upriver beats their first real chance?
The drop in temperatures has made daytime fishing a much better prospect for all species, coarse trout and grayling. All will benefit from some fresh water.
Just in time, the last of this year’s concrete fish pass was completed on the Back brook (tributary of the Arrow). Our survey of barriers has been completed on the lower Usk and is close to finishing on the middle and lower Wye. The number of sites where some action is necessary has, as expected, risen and given the right weather, so has our target for this year. Eight completed to date but perhaps there are twelve or more still to do and more next year.
Caroline Sherrot has joined the staff to work in the area of farm pollution management, aka “catchment sensitive farming” if you like euphemisms. She was previously with the Soil Association, a trust that certifies the organic status of farms. We see diffuse pollution as becoming an increasingly significant factor in limiting fish populations on both rivers, but more so on the Wye. It's a matter of progressing beyond just talking about it and Caroline will be managing the parts of several projects that will see some action. She also brings expertise in fisheries science.
Please would any fisher who finds canoeists on the upper Usk or Wye tell them that there is an arrangement in force that means they should not be there until 18th October (and until 2nd March)or when there is a spate AND the height gauges at Brecon and Llanstephan show the height over the red line. It’s often that they have been given incorrect information and usually respond favourably when it is pointed out there is an opportunity to canoe....but later!
Back to fishing: Llwyn Onn reservoir is open again following repairs and 2 coarse rods, £20.00 each, have become available at Caradoc on Sunday 29th August 2010 and Bank Holiday Monday 30th August 2010. The beat is bookable online (or over the phone)
Finally, our next general meeting is scheduled for the evening of Friday 22nd October. We will let you know the venue as soon as it is confirmed.
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation.
http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ 01982560788
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Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Wednesday 18 August, 2010
We start with a report from our special correspondent on the lower Wye:
“Yesterday I was fishing a pool which I knew held a salmon but despite my best efforts, it remained firmly in its lie, unmoved by my tempting offers.”
“I sat on a stone to consider my next cunning plan which undoubtedly would deceive this difficult adversary when a band of howling banshees descended upon the river in the form of the dreaded day tripper canoeist. There were seven or eight vessels and the occupants were clearly having a wonderful time splashing, shouting and shrieking their way downstream in a tight group.”
“The commotion aroused my salmon from its slumber and it charged around the pool leaping from the water, finally landing in the foot well of a canoe at the centre of the mayhem. After a couple of minutes chasing a very slippery customer around the boat they finally claimed their prize and sportingly returned the fish to the river.”
“Moral of the story? It's clear.... I will have to buy a megaphone and canoe to keep in the "special tactics" section of my tackle box.”
(Thanks SB for lightening our day)
Are there changes afoot? Metcheck, that renowned purveyor of unfulfilled promises of watery gifts predicts the arrival of a monsoon ...next week (although if we added up the amount of rain predicted to fall next week, Builth would average over 100” per year!) Seth has returned from Scotland with tales of too much water....It is surely our turn for some heavy rain!
I know many of you will be waiting for a chance to wet a line for salmon in the remaining 8 weeks of the season: Don’t give up yet! In advance of any rain, Grayling are starting to appear more regularly in trout fishers catches and on some of the quieter evenings a good rise has taken place. Coarse fishing has been steady. Please see reports on http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/feedback.php
We have a new beat – Wyastone Leys, just over 1 mile single bank just upstream of Monmouth. Early Sept start, coarse only for now.
If you have visited the rivers or driven past, in the last week or so, you cannot help but notice the prolific growth of Himalayan balsam, now in flower. Monnow Fisheries Association Volunteers are working downstream in a serious attempt to eradicate the plant on Honddu, Dore and Monnow. If you have a spare moment please help by pulling it out particularly where you can see there has been some recurrence in an otherwise balsam free area. In fact anywhere would be a help!
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation.
http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ 01982560788
Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Monday 9 August, 2010
Return from holiday sees the rivers much as they were left: in need of a really good downpour. A small rise over the week end followed by the rain that is falling tonight is not going to make much difference other than to prevent conditions getting any worse.
Salmon seem to be in evidence at the bottom end of the Wye but are proving difficult though not impossible to tempt; we have had no reports from the Usk. Grayling are featuring prominently in the catches from the upper Wye, while trout fishing has tailed off in the brooks especially during the day. Coarse fishing has continued to provide good sport in the middle and lower Wye.
It has however, been ideal conditions for fish pass work. A baulk fish pass has been completed on the middle Arrow which should allow salmon and trout to migrate up to Kington, where two more passes are being built. The temporary alder fish pass on the Sgithwen has been replaced with solid oak and the second of three weirs on the Lwyd has been successfully removed. We have set a very ambitious target for this year and we hope to complete another 10 or more fish access projects before mid October.
The current water conditions do at least have some benefit!
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation.
http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/
Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Tuesday 20 July, 2010
The problem with writing to you when the heavens are about to open is that all the carefully planned advice and recommendations as to where to fish need a complete rethink. With the water levels on the gauges of both Usk and Wye rising fast we can expect, after the deluge, to see a considerable uplift in salmon and Wye coarse fishing and a perking up of the trout everywhere as it drops back (hoping that it will!)
Before the rains came we were surprised to hear of three salmon taken on the upper Wye, with the gauge below 11”, Nyth, Gromain and Rectory all recorded fish with one lost at Rectory and Gromain. The surprise was that one of the latter was a bright grilse. Fish were also taken at Wyesham and Caradoc. Barbel and chub continued to give good sport in what was low water throughout the main stem of the Wye. Trout were becoming dour on the main rivers but the Escley continued to provide sport. We have received no reports from the Usk.
Our advice is to go salmon fishing. The upper and middle Usk settles first and fish have less distance to travel, but sometimes after a dry spell the water runs off all too quickly. The Upper Wye takes a bit longer to come into good order but the same applies. The lower Wye may be out for a bit. All the foregoing depends on the rain stopping soon. And there’s the trout and coarse fishing......
However, with the arrival of consents to build fish passes, The Royal Welsh show and the departure on holiday of certain staff members, further rain is very likely! Keep an eye on the gauges and seize the opportunities as they arise. Glanwye will be more available for daily lets as will some other beats: Ask Allyson or Adam
Events:
Lugg and Arrow cricket match please see http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/news/events.php . Hereford Country Fair Sunday 1st August 2010 and hope to see you at the Game Fair.
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ Tel - 01982 560788
Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Tuesday 13 July, 2010
Everyone in the office is looking at the weather maps on five different websites.... about every five minutes. They all promise rain but the question, as usual is for whom? Pembroke, Anglesey and Manchester seem the likely beneficiaries but there may even be some for us. In advance of this momentous event, a new webcam and gauge has been installed at Glanusk (many thanks to the estate) At the moment it stands a full 7” of the water – as low as its been for a very long time. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/conditions/gauge10.php. This gauge is below the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal abstraction, incidentally.
We welcome two new members to the work force: Simon Turner and Celfyn Chappell. Adam Fisher has, appropriately, joined us to assist with the fisheries marketing, freeing up Seth to manage the various projects in England. Caroline Sherrott has come aboard to manage our work in diffuse pollution and fisheries monitoring. Work gets underway this week with fish pass construction and weir removal. We have ambitions to complete at least twelve this year.
The new Google Earth 2010 maps are proving to be very useful. Louis was able to see where he had sprayed Giant Hogweed on the Wye and as a means of locating hydrological sources in the upper Irfon for our life project ISAC, it has been invaluable. The print outs mean that sites can be found and visited even if they are in the middle of dense trees.
Fishing has been better than we could have hoped. Coarse fishing has been testing but fine tackle has enabled chub to be caught by day and barbel from evening onwards. Trout are easily spooked but still providing sport as the light fades. Still waters providing sport but there are some works taking place at Llwyn On and Cantref and these two reservoirs are now closed. We will advise when they reopen. A fly box was found at Bugeilyn, which is fishing well: please contact the office if this is yours.
Relieved that the World Cup is now over and very glad that Spain won! (rest of WUF involved in office sweep please take note),
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ 01982560788
Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Monday 28 June, 2010
“They think it’s all over.....it is now!” were the commentator’s final words in 1966’s ‘beautiful’ game but could also apply to England’s rather less heroic efforts yesterday. Surprisingly it doesn’t apply to this year’s salmon fishing. Just as we thought it was too hot and dry to tempt even the anglers out, we received reports of fresh fish coming into the lower Wye, even as the match was on. A Wyesham angler landed a sea licer and made contact with several others.
Another report of great interest to us was one from the Upper Irfon beat, R6. This area of the catchment was devoid of fish before we started to lime it during the pHish project in 2006. To hear that Oliver Burch took 15 small trout there and spotted larger ones sipping flies (please see http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/feedback.php) is good news anywhere. What excited Oliver was seeing larger fish but we are more encouraged by the fact there are smaller ones (i.e. they are now spawning successfully in this section) and by the hatching fly. Fly and young fish were absent when we started.
Coarse fishing continues strongly despite the dry conditions, though barbel seem to confine their feeding activities to early morning and evening. However, good bags of chub are being made during the heat of the day.
The Assembly’s Sustainability’s report into canoe access will now have been read by all those with concerns for river welfare. Our comments are included in the navigation section of the WUF website http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/navigation/news.php
You should have been at........the presentation on eels in Pembridge last week. Dr Matt Gollick, formerly with the Tweed Foundation and now with Zoological Society of London, gave us the somewhat harrowing details of the plight of the eel – down well over 90% and went on to discuss the reasons behind the decline. The Society’s diverse work on marine conservation was also explained.
Rain? Will it reach us as forecast or just fall on Manchester and Anglesey as it has done so far this year? Fingers crossed.
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ 01982560788
Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Thursday 24 June, 2010
The drought continues. If you are a salmon fisher we can only suggest improving your golf handicap or attending to the garden. It’s going to take quite a bit of rain to get things moving again and there is very little good news in the weather forecasts.
The barbel and chub fishers are having a good time and beats from Hay to Ross are enjoying consistent sport. We have just had a report that four anglers took 93 barbel in a single day from a beat below Hereford. Chub up to 5lbs have also featured in most catches.
Trout fishing is becoming difficult in the heat of the day with sport tending to be confined to early morning and evening. That said daytime fishing has not had much help in the way of cloud cover and next week may be better in that respect. Good catches have been reported from the Usk and many of the streams such as the Edw, Monnow tributaries, Arrow and Lugg. Grayling catches were topped with one of 23” from Gromain. This fish would make over 4lbs if it had not just spawned.
We are pleased to announce that Sportfish (www.sportfish.co.uk) have generously extended their offer of a £10 tackle voucher for every salmon that is returned after 15th June, and this year the offer applies to both Wye and Usk. You will also receive a Wye & Usk Foundation sweatshirt or cap (one per angler). For subsequent fish released, another £10 Sportfish voucher will be sent.
Many beats will have Catch & Release forms that you simply complete and send to us having released a salmon. Alternatively, all you have to do is phone, email or write to us with the following details:
1. Your name and address (including postcode)
2. Your telephone number and email address (if applicable)
3. Date of salmon capture
4. Beat name and pool
5. Method
6. Estimated weight or length
7. Hen or Cock fish
8. Whether you prefer a cap or sweatshirt S M L XL XXL
We will be at the Herefordshire Country Fair which is on Sunday, 1st August 2010. This year it will be at Hampton Court, north of Hereford on the river Lugg.
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ 01982 560788
Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Saturday 19 June, 2010
What little rain there was last week produced some colour but barely enough to move salmon for any distance or length of time. Wyesham had a day of four but none the next day. Fish in various stages of colouration were seen as far upstream as Builth and also Abergavenny on the Usk. However, the weather has gone back to looking decidedly dry again.
16th June started in low water with some terrific catches in the section downstream of Hereford. Holme Lacy 3, Ballingham and Middle Hill Court all recorded catches in the teens (both size and numbers) and we are pleased to have added another beat in this area, Upper Holme Lacy and Lower Carrots. This beat can be booked for salmon or coarse fishing via the booking office or on line.
Trout fishing continues in good form especially the Usk. I saw photos of two lovely fish taken from the Gliffaes water, both in perfect condition and both nearing 3lbs. Monnow system, main Wye and some of the tribs. also fishing well the small amount of rain keeping temperatures down.
16th also heralded the arrival of the Assemblies’ Sustainability Committee report on canoe access. We will do a separate report of this and it will follow shortly
Many thanks again to all those who supported the putcher buy out. We are not quite there but the deal has been done. Bad though the season has been so far, We think the current conditions are likely to have been favourable for estuary fishing and it is a considerable relief that fishing has been curtailed
Finally, The Lugg and Arrow A talk by Matthew Gollick of the Zoological Society of London at the New Inn, Pembridge, Herefordshire HR6 9DZ at 7.00pm Tuesday 22nd June on the freshwater eel. The plight of this once prolific animal is of real concern. The New Inn is on the river Arrow near several Voucher beats for anyone wishing to combine the meeting with a few hours on the river.
To confirm your place please email luggandarrow@bigfoot.com
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ 01982560788
Wye and Usk Foundation Update
Tuesday 8 June, 2010
Putchers
The fundraising for the putcher buy out is now well underway and with the help of a few more of you we will get there. We have been extremely touched by the letters emails and phone calls pledging support from so many of you.
Employment vacancies
WUF is seeking applications for two positions to work across the three areas of: Fishery science, Farm pollution management and marketing. Please see: http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/vacancies.php Justin Bateman is leaving us for New Zealand after 4 years sterling service through snow, floods and,............We wish him and his family well. This has created a third vacancy within the Usk habitat team
Fishing reports
It has been another great week for trouting and despite low water the smaller streams have continued to fish well. Three pages of reports may be found at http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/feedback.php The mayfly started to appear a bit later this year but now there seem to be plenty on Arrow, Lugg, Llynfi Dulas and some Monnow streams. Some decent trout have been taken amongst the very eager, smaller fish.
We have just had reports of a modest uplift in the number of salmon seen below Monmouth. Wyesham reports two 17lbs fish caught but there have been sightings throughout the beat. However, the need for restraint remains and we continue to implore anglers to return fish on both rivers throughout the remainder of the season.
The Foundations river walks on 1st and 3rd in conjunction with the Hay Festival were not met with the usual floods of coloured water and visitors were shown, amongst other things, sea lamprey and barbel spawning at Boughrood, and fish rising freely to mayfly on the Llynfi Dulas. Elsewhere, Chub have been spawning very actively.
Prospects
Just 8 days to the opening of the coarse fishing season as if you needed reminding! The trouting has been good though rises have sometimes been below what one might reasonably expect given the amount of fly in the air. They are still readily catchable though. We will just have to see what the weather brings to see what salmon might enter the rivers.
All the best from the Wye & Usk Foundation. http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/booking_office/ 01982 560788
