Hello

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice.
I ‘ve been up to The Wye and Usk a couple of times this year and apart from a couple of grayling, both times not only have I ‘ve drawn a complete blank, but I haven’t even seen any trout. The first time it was very early in the season, cold and windy with crystal clear water so not seeing any trout was kind expected.
The second time however was just last week about 2 or 3 days after a real downpour. The Irfon and Upper Wye had plenty of water and looked just brilliant. The water was surprisingly clear after all that rain and I spent a good deal of time approaching likely spots very cautiously and just watching for ages but I didn’t spot any trout. Perhaps they were sulking in the deep gulley but my nymphs couldn’t draw any response. Over the course of two days I tried wet, dry and in between but didn’t get a sniff. Am I doing anything wrong or is that just fishing?
Any pointer most appreciated.

Thanks,

Hi

I don't think you are doing anything wrong. I think it is hard on all UK rivers at the moment. The fish I have been catching up here in the North of England, are all stuffed to bursting point with food. Their bellies are so swollen and distended with gluteney that I am surprised they can get the smallest of BWO's down them. So your really trying to tempt fish with the after eight mint which is your fly, so unless they are either really, really hungry and greedy or its just a very tempting dressing of a morsal I think you will struggle. There is just so much natural food around at the moment they can take their pick. It will be different come September, the advantage will turn to us fishermen as the food stuff dies out and the fish compete for every mouthful to put on fat to see themselves through the winter.

Keep fishing and try and get a couple of trips to your river after next month, you'll get lucky. So Long...

Ewen,

you've just been a bit unlucky, especially on the rivers you've mentioned, they're normally very good!

I would find a local angler who knows the stretch of river you intend fishing; and maybe tag along with him one day, you could get some local knowledge!

Also - put this post on the "River Usk Thread and the Monnow Thread" you will receive lots of help and guidance re, Wye & Usk fishing which will include many of their tributaries! But don't worry about a couple of blank days, it happens to all of us - your not alone; and it will all fall in to place very soon, then you'll end up catching more fish the the so called experts.

Keep fishing

Regards

Mostyn

It sounds like you've picked very difficult times of the year to try these rivers. Early season can be tough and often you will only get 1 hour of productive sport in the middle of the day as the Large Dark Olives hatch. This time of year of course is also tough in the daytime at least and best results will come early morning and in the evening. September will be a lot more productive during the day and October is a great month to fish the Wye and Irfon for grayling.

As for not seeing the fish, that doesn't mean that they're not there! If you're fishing nymphs, fish the likely spots and you'll get some surprises. It's amazing how invisible they can be. When I release a grayling that I've caught in the Irfon for example, as soon as it swims 2 feet away in gin clear water, it's vanished and they just blend in with the stream bed.

Mostyn's advice of tagging along with a local (or getting a guide for the day) is very sound and can sidestep a lot of trial and error. They are fantatsic rivers that are full of fish but they sometimes don't give them up that easily.

Thank you all for this sound advice and help.
I will definitely will be heading back up there when the trout are getting a bit hungrier, it's such a beautiful part of the world.
I was just wondering if the prolonged spell of very dry weather followed by a few days downpour may have had something to do with it.
Anyway, thank you all.

Ewen