Wye & Usk Foundation News Update 28th March, 2007

As April looms the fishing on both rivers is steadily improving. The last few days have seen wonderful spring weather, strong afternoon rises and some spectacular sized salmon caught.

Despite the odd salmon being scattered throughout the length of both rivers following the high water of early March the Upper Wye and Usk are now in need of another spate. The good news is that following the expansion of the passport scheme down the Wye we now offer salmon fishing on beats suited to these conditions. Whilst salmon sport remains relatively poor the low numbers have been more than compensated by size, with, in the last few days fish of 13lb, 18lb, 18lb, 22lb, 28lb and 35lb reported from beats from Hay downstream. Upstream of Hay the odd fish has been reported showing by the trout anglers but fishing effort has been light in this section and Mr Franks champagne winning fish remains the only reported salmon from the upper river so far (http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/news/notices/champagnefish07.php).

The trout fishing is just starting to get going on the Wye, Monnow, Arrow, Lugg and middle Usk with double figure catches to the dry fly being reported during afternoon hatches. Don’t stop for lunch, or sit and admire the hatch or you will miss the best of the sport. On the upper Usk and other tributaries sport has been slower, with fly life yet to get going on the upper reaches. The next three weeks will see the Large Dark Olive and March Brown hatches build further and should offer some of the best sport of the season.

The new parking place and access work on Court of Noke (beat 37) has been completed to ease fishing. Hopefully reports of ripped waders will now be less frequent.

There are some new beats on both rivers that will be included in the passport scheme in the next few weeks. Please keep an eye on the website to see all the fishing available (http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/fishing/bookingoffice.php).

As the Passport continues to expand, it is well worth considering a season rod to guarantee your fishing for the year. Please contact the booking office if you are interested.

All the best from the Foundation, and do let us know how you get on, but please be aware that there are still some very well mended kelts hanging around.