FISHERY REPORTS
30th July 2021
As from today the fishery is open again.
The levels are still very low along with oxygen levels. It will remain to be seen what the recent rain will bring. However the water temperature has dropped which has spurred angling clubs and fisheries to reopen stretches of the Wye.
Many of you are welfare aware when it comes to fish handling and take good care of all fish you catch, but there will be some who are less experienced or may need reminding.
Please ensure that Barbel in particular are:
As from today the fishery is open again.
The levels are still very low along with oxygen levels. It will remain to be seen what the recent rain will bring. However the water temperature has dropped which has spurred angling clubs and fisheries to reopen stretches of the Wye.
Many of you are welfare aware when it comes to fish handling and take good care of all fish you catch, but there will be some who are less experienced or may need reminding.
Please ensure that Barbel in particular are:
- rested in your landing net for a few minutes before bringing them to the mat, (considered crucial).
- kept out of the water for the minimum amount of time.
- are fully recovered and upright without your support before release. The last stage can take several minutes
- 20th July 2021
The Barbel fishing has continued to be slow. I ventured out one evening in late June and fluked a 9lb 4oz along with a couple more on rolling meat. Small baits and mobile approach seems to be the way forward.
One angler caught 8 Barbel in two hours the other day (not in the Whirly) using small pellets on the move.
Plenty of Chub caught and some 5lb plus fish.
However the algal bloom is still with us and the temperatures high and the Barbel are now being caught with Argulus Lice on them. So along with other Wye fisheries we have closed until conditions improve ie sufficient rain and/or a drop in temperature.
23rd June 2021
Beds of Ranunculus showing in Middle Meadow and Peter's Field. Welcome back!
21st June 2021
Very slow on the Barbel front. Only 9 reported from 5-8lb in the last 5 days. Understand that it has been quiet overall on the Wye and that Barbel have only recently spawned...
On a positive side the Chub are have been feeding hard, with one angler landing c50 proper Chub on the float for a conservative estimated weight of 80lb.
We have opened up new swims in the Wild Field and also the first two swims on the left hand bank.
So it is all looking good apart from the algal bloom on the Wye at the present, which fingers crossed will clear sometime soon and the streamer weed can start growing. Ultimately we need the arable farmers to take serious measures to stop soil run off which is the main cause of phosphate pollution!
7th September 2020
A steady stream of quality Barbel to just under 10lb have been gracing anglers nets over the past 6 weeks, and the big Chub still keep coming with a number of 5's reported.
Also 20lb plus bags of Dace have been taken trotting over the shallow gravel runs. One or two Roach have also been showing.
Good news. The issue regarding the left hand bank has been resolved, with the Aramstone Estate happy for anglers to access this side as before.
27th July 2020
Living by the fishery means I have a good idea of how its been fishing over the last 5-6 weeks.
I have also been able to turf off a number of poachers!
Typical Wye switching on and off. Due to floods and wash in of Phosphates off the arable land followed by really hot spring meant we had an algal bloom that many would have read about. I do not buy the weight of blame attributed to poultry units although they will be factor.
This has meant that there has not been much Ranunculus which is a shame.
We also had a blanket weed 'invasion' on the rocks and gravel which thrived in the high nutrient world and when the levels rose again lumps of it came away and caused very difficult conditions.
Despite all this plenty of Barbel caught. Not large numbers but high average size typical of the fishery.
Most fish 6-8lb plus with good numbers of 8's and 9's. I can say that Barbel have been caught from every swim from the Wild Field all the way down to below the bridge (Toll Meadow).
The Chub have been showing in really good numbers with plenty of 5's and a couple of low 6's!
Bodes really well for Winter Chubbing!
When the level has been low anglers still using big feeders and struggling whilst those using straight leads and loose feeding getting better results and also those using moving baits (trotting and trundling meat) catching well.
Good size Dace coming out and some Roach(!).
Plenty of swims opened up with easy access to most. Its looking good. The river has cleared.
Will upload some photos from the season so far soon.
2nd September 2019
Not much feedback from anglers. However I have received one or two emails back reporting of some productive sessions trotting for Dace and Chub and some good Barbel to over 10lb.
NEWS
Until further notice please note that the fishing on the left-hand bank (looking downstream) is still not physically accessible as a result of the new fence, which we now know to have been erected by the Aramstone Estate on their boundary with the Common Land. The situation is currently under discussion between the owners of the Old Harp Fishery and Aramstone. We can only continue to apologise whilst the matter is being resolved
5th August 2019
Multiple catches of quality Barbel and Chub were the norm for a while,including a bag of 21 Barbel plus some nice Chub between 2 anglers one afternoon/evening.
The brown algal bloom came along with hot weather and it has been a struggle since with now the issue being lumps of weed. Barbel are being caught but generally not until the evening.
I had a go just after the algal bloom (10 days ago?) touch ledgering corn with a light lead in amongst the Streamer weed in the late afternoon,and caught a c7lb Barbel almost straight away. However it took about 10 minutes to revive so I called it a day.
The rain and rise in level has not resulted in a good flush through which imo is needed.
On the other hand those who have trotted in the day have had some excellent sport. The Bleak seem to be absent and some good bags of Dace are being reported. One Dace was weighed at 11oz.
News
The majority of anglers fish from the right hand bank (Hoarwithy bank) opposite what is the beautiful naturally wild backdrop of the left hand bank (looking downstream). However for those who like to wander across to the other wilder side (How Caple bank) accessing across the area of Common Land, it should be noted that 'somebody' has erected a wire fence and planted a hedge (!) on the boundary where the common land meets Aramstone's agricultural land, with a sign basically saying that there is no right of access for fisherman. Myself and owners of the fishery are investigating this.
This blocks a route that has been taken by anglers from at at least as far back as the 1950's. We aim to get this resolved as soon as possible and can only apologise to those who do like to wander the left hand bank.
18th June 2019
Great opening couple of days. Rob Leather had 6 Barbel to over 9lb on opening morning before 11am!
More out yesterday including fish over 8lb plus some good Chub.
We had a work party just before the rain and the river was looking as lovely as it ever has with plenty of Ranunculus this year. River on the rise again today.
5th February 2019
One or two Barbel out this Winter so far in the mild spells but very few bookings so little angling pressure.
Those few targeting the Chub have have had some wonderful sport with most swims seeming to throw up a good stamp both to ledgering or trotting tactics. I had an quick afternoon session a week or two back and landed 3 cracking fish on cheese paste to 5lb 5oz.
Will Smith, one of the bailiffs, had a surprise when he hooked and landed (just) a 10lb 2oz Barbel on bread flake in cold conditions under his rod tip in a slack!
One other thing to report is that the crew of the forthcoming The Untamed Anglers - Britain's Iconic Fish TV series, used the Old Harp for their final episode and filmed over two days in January staying in a B&B within almost casting distance of the fishery. Conditions were low clear and cold and so I was not too confident for them. It was tough, however without giving anything away, it turned out to be a resounding success. I have no idea where and when the series will be shown but editing can take months I understand.
Salmon anglers please contact me if you are looking for some exclusive fishing this Spring. I have a couple of week days currently not let.
18th November 2018
This autumn the river has been low, cold and clear for long periods, when only the Grayling were biting and also over the banks. So mixed results over the past month. At the beginning of the month the Bell Inn Angling Club match was won with 50lb Chub and there were one or two Barbel to over 9lb caught despite it being very low.
One day last week in the mild conditions and a dropping river, Billy Edwards had a fantastic haul of 10 Barbel which included a 10lb 3oz fish and four 9 pounders. The next day he caught one or two more and a 6lb Chub!
22nd October 2018
I've let the reporting slip a week or so. The fishing has been up and down like the river.
Barbel wise then this has been quite steady. Best reported catch looking back through my emails was 2 anglers landed 18 Barbel and a dozen Chub in an afternoon in late September. Plenty being caught in the 7-10lb bracket. No doubles this year as yet. The Chub and Dace fishing seems to have been as good as it ever so far was with anglers catching good weights of Dace in stamp 3-4 to the pound and Chub to over 5lb.
8th September 2018
The fishing is definitely on the up since the cooling down although the levels are back to very low again.
The Barbel as a result are localized in the deeper pools/glides or close to cover.
Some anglers have struggled when the days are bright and some rain storms have caused lumps of weed to come down.
Time it right though the fishing is wonderful and will just get better when the levels recover.
The club that once rented the rights have a match on the fishery c4 times a year. At the beginning of month the match yielded bags of quality Dace of over 25lb and Barbel (not retained in keepnets!) to 9lb 2oz.
I ventured out for literally 90 minutes in a lunch hour (overcast) a couple of weeks ago and roamed in waders in the top beat touch ledgering and caught 4 medium Barbel which I was over the moon with.
An angler day before yesterday below the bridge caught 4 Barbel and 14 Chub all over 3lb with a couple of 5's.
He remarked how pristine the fish were. Always good to hear.
Yesterday I fished below the bridge for a short evening session and the rod flew off the rest a few times and I ended up with 4 Barbel in the 7-8lb bracket and a cracking 4lb plus Chub. Meanwhile the angler fishing the middle meadow landed 8 Barbel to over 9lb.
Before I fished yesterday evening I met with a local farmer who kindly hauled out a tree snag with his tractor making the first swim in the top beat fishable again. A very productive Barbel and Chub swim with some water on.
Lastly the myself and the owners have decided to increase the rates to bring them a little closer to other Wye fisheries where angler numbers are restricted . As from June 16th 2019 a day ticket will cost £18 and to book the whole fishery for a day it will cost £75. In the interest of encouraging the next generation, it has also been decided to allow children under 16 to fish free provided they are accompanied by an adult.
14th August 2018
Temperatures are definitely cooling down although levels are still low the dissolved oxygen levels appear passable. There appears to be no heat wave on the horizon. Having spoken to a number of experienced individuals, I have made the decision to open the fishery back up for bookings . The handling of Barbel is always paramount re their welfare eg proper resting etc, however in view of the the current conditions it is requested that is that if possible they are unhooked in the water, and to resist weighing and any trophy shots.
7th August 2018
For about three weeks now I not been taking any new bookings due to the high temperatures and low levels.
Existing bookings will be honoured. However and I am touching base with those few that are still booked on in August just to make sure they are aware of seriousness of the situation and how they might adjust their approach in the light of the conditions or even postpone their visit. If you are booked on in August and have not heard from me yet please call me.
2nd July 2018
It's tough going with these low conditions.Barbel are getting caught but first and last thing.
An angler did catch 9 Barbel between 6 and 9lb between 6pm and 9pm on Friday. All pristine.
Of course in these hot conditions Barbel need very careful handling and I make no apologies for including the following
link http://www.barbelfishers.com/services/fisheries/barbel-handling-code .
Fingers crossed for some rain sometime soon.
25th June 2018
In summary, some Barbel out to 9lb and lots of Chub to 4lb plus. Am still waiting for a couple more reports back. Low conditions and an algal bloom making it slow sport for the Barbel in particular.
Just now heard back from the anglers booked on 18th and 19th June, and they managed 29 Barbel and c20 Chub over the two days, which is an excellent result considering the conditions and a great sign for the fishery.
15th June 2018
On the eve of the great day!
Since last report in February:
I note I didn't mention that the Pike fishing was a struggle this winter to say the least. Just one or two low doubles out.
It seems that this was the case on other stretches too.
The end of the season produced Chub to just under 7lb (!) and one or two good Barbel although there were not many bookings.
A 16lb Salmon was caught earlier in the spring from the middle section. No other Salmon reported although it was very lightly fished to be fair.
Good luck to those fishing this week. Looking lovely with the streamer weed back this year.
Most swims strimmed back last week so no need to fight way to river.
Noted a couple of obvious snags to be removed when level has dropped right back later this year. There is also a big Alder down just below the bridge but the landowners are on the case.
I will give it a week and will report back on feedback I receive for the start of the season.
10th February 2018
March 3rd through to June 15th 2018 is blocked out for Salmon days ie red on the availability calendar
This does not mean there is not availability between 3rd March and 14th March for Coarse fishing so please call me if you have a day in mind and I will try and accommodate you.
For the rest of the year it's business as usual for Coarse fishing.
4th January 2018
Happy New Year! Now taking bookings for the 2018/2019 coarse fishing season.
In the meantime plenty of nice Chub coming out.
10th November 2017
Not many reports back but some nice fish out to over 10lb to end the Autumn. One or two would have struggled when low and clear as per usual. Some lovely sport now to those targeting Chub. I caught 3 over 4lb on bread flake in a short pm session and missed about 6 bites!
10th October 2017
They're getting bigger!
Last weekend produced a 10 pounder, a reported scraper 11 pounder, and a fish weighed and witnessed (on the same day on a totally different part of the fishery) of 11lb 1oz. This is as far as I am aware the new Old Harp record.
Plenty of 8's and 9's coming out at the moment. Anglers struggled at times during September when levels were low, however with the river now mostly up on Summer levels, the Barbel are showing everywhere, plus now the Chub are starting to show too. No idea where they've been hiding. Bags of 20lb plus of Dace also reported.
I'm going to have to book myself in for a couple of sessions in the next week or two!
I plan to report now once a month.
22nd August 2017
It has been a while since I reported although feedback from anglers has been sporadic and the beat has been lightly fished. What I can say is that with the low levels during the remainder of July some anglers struggled for bites whilst some who fished into the late afternoon caught well eg two anglers reporting having landing over 20 Barbel one evening in mid July. The Barbel were definately localised.
At least two 10 pounders reported during July and also a Barbel the size of a Gudgeon!
It was also fantastic to hear of good bags (30lb plus) of Dace reported.
Some good feedback from the past couple of weeks with plenty of good size Barbel caught from a great range of swims from the top beat to below the bridge. The Chub have not been showing in the usual numbers though.
It has been a while since I reported although feedback from anglers has been sporadic and the beat has been lightly fished. What I can say is that with the low levels during the remainder of July some anglers struggled for bites whilst some who fished into the late afternoon caught well eg two anglers reporting having landing over 20 Barbel one evening in mid July. The Barbel were definately localised.
At least two 10 pounders reported during July and also a Barbel the size of a Gudgeon!
It was also fantastic to hear of good bags (30lb plus) of Dace reported.
Some good feedback from the past couple of weeks with plenty of good size Barbel caught from a great range of swims from the top beat to below the bridge. The Chub have not been showing in the usual numbers though.
5th July 2017
The beat is fishing surprisingly well despite the low water conditions.
No real pattern re location with Barbel and Chub being caught in shallow and deep water swims.As one would expect on bright days most bites coming in the late afternoon into evening.
Angler Billy Edwards caught 16 Barbel and over 20 Chub (with a
good number of the Chub over 4lb) at the weekend. The vast
majority of the Barbel seem to be over 6lb including one he regrets
not weighing which was probably over the magic mark.
There was an exception to the OHF average with this photo of a
perfectly propertioned 1lb fish sent in by an angler.
28th June 2017
Despite the low levels plenty of Barbel coming out in the 5-10lb bracket on pellet feeder tactics.
I popped down for my first (river) cast this season at the Witching Hour in the Wild Field last night and caught a 8 pounder first cast, plus a couple of Chub fishing meat. A booked on angler called Steve Lathwell in the next swim down had caught 9 Barbel by the time he packed up, all close in.
21st June 2017
Only one or two anglers have fished the beat so far this season.
A few chub reported and some Barbel in the 5-7lb caught to trotting
techniques is all I have had reported back so far.
The fishery is looking good with some swims in the less popular
areas opened up. We hope they will be used and not allowed grow back
over! These swims are all known from my past experience of the stretch
and last season were hardly fished. Anybody booked on can of course
ring me before or on the day for any guidance.
14th March 2017
Wonderful catch of c8 Barbel to over 9lb and some clonking Chub to an angler trotting maggot from the left bank today.
Only one or two anglers have fished the beat so far this season.
A few chub reported and some Barbel in the 5-7lb caught to trotting
techniques is all I have had reported back so far.
The fishery is looking good with some swims in the less popular
areas opened up. We hope they will be used and not allowed grow back
over! These swims are all known from my past experience of the stretch
and last season were hardly fished. Anybody booked on can of course
ring me before or on the day for any guidance.
14th March 2017
Wonderful catch of c8 Barbel to over 9lb and some clonking Chub to an angler trotting maggot from the left bank today.
12th March 2017
Reports over the past week of 34 Barbel and numerous Chub landed to the one or two anglers booked on.
The Barbel included several 9's and two 10's and the Chub included fish over 5lb.
General concensus was that all the OHF fish were pristine like this one in the photo sent in by an angler.
I had a go on Wednesday pm for a couple of hours and landed two Chub and just the one Barbel, but it went 9lb 15oz. The needle on the Avons momentarily hovered around the 10lb mark before dropping back. A double figure Barbel still eludes me!
19th February 2017
Bailiff Dougal and I have enjoyed some mobile Chubbing sessions recently in the cold weather.
Other than that it has hardly been fished in the new year until this week.
The recent temperature rise has brought the Barbel on to feed. A few came out on Thursday and Friday.
On Saturday when the water temperature had risen to 7 deg, angler Billy Edwards from Kent caught 10 Barbel
to 9lb 10oz plus one or two Chub to 5lb. The sort of catch one associates with the Summer.
19th December 2016 - NEWS!
We have managed to secure the fishing rights of the two meadows below the bridge on the (RH) Hoarwithy bank from the Toll House to the start of the 'beach' area, as from 1st January 2017. This is a deep section with loads of character and has historically been very productive for Barbel, Chub and Dace. A big shoal of Roach was spotted off the bridge here back in the close season and it used to produce some good Perch. The fishery information sheet and map have been updated.
In the light of this there will be changes as from the 1st January with the number of permitted anglers increasing to 5 and the day rate per angler increasing to £15. There is the option of booking the whole fishery for the day exclusively for up to 5 anglers for £60.
The Pike fishing will now be restricted to two anglers at a day rate of £25 and permitted between 1st November and 1st February. The thinking behind this is to limit the pressure on the population and target experienced Pike anglers who appreciate the value of a day's fishing on an unpressured stretch of the Wye.
Since October then there have been one or two swims opened up on the left hand bank although the majority is pretty wild. There were Barbel caught last week with that extra colour with some reported to have been caught on trotted maggot.
10th October 2016
It's been a mixed bag for past two weeks, one day plenty of action and the next anglers struggling to get bites until the evening. It seems to reflect what has been happening elsewhere on the Wye according to forums like the BFW. Steve Pope three guiding guests enjoyed a dozen or so Barbel a few days ago, and there have been some good bags of Chub. The Bell Inn match on Sunday was actually won with 48lb of Chub. One or two Barbel were caught too in the match (not of course retained in keepnets!).
28th September 2016
Bit of water in the river and it all switches on.
Two anglers caught 12 barbel to over 9lb from the Islands today.
Also 6lb 2oz Chub was landed on Monday by Denise Cullen.
20th September 2016
No big bags of Barbel but a really good stamp coming out. Plenty of 8's and 9's and four 10 pounders up to 10lb 8oz reported in the last fortnight. Three of these 10's were caught in totally different sections and so I am pretty sure that these are different fish.Having never caught a double myself I am trying to make some time in the next week or so to have a go myself!
The Bell Inn Angling Club held a match a week ago with double figure weights of Dace reported.
2nd September 2016
The latter half of August proved to be slow at times due to the low levels.
Having said one or two nice Barbel were banked in the 8-10lb range, mostly in the evening.
Since then things have been looking up with colour returning to the river and with September well booked I expect to see the bigger bags of Barbel and Chub returning, and with it and I hope a double figure Barbel or two as we push on into Autumn. It's the time of year I love best on the Wye.
In the meantime bailiffs Dougal and Will have just recently each had a short session each with some lovely sport trotting landing decent Chub, with some Roach and a good stamp of Dace to 10oz. The Dace have been absent from the stretch for while and so really pleased to see them back. (so will the Pike!).
12th August
The low conditions has meant it has been difficult to catch Barbel in the more notorious swims eg the croys below the Salmon Hut ('Middle Meadow') and Peter's Garden, just below. Although deeper along here, the lack of light getting through in the spring due to coloured water has meant little weed growth and cover in clear conditions. Normally one can see great beds of Ranunculus through this section, but not this year. One or two are getting caught late afternoon onwards along here but the feeling is that they have moved up into the more shallow areas where there is weed.
Where there has been success is in the top beat, ('The Islands'). Here Graham Bonser and 2 friends from Leicestershire last weekend caught most of their 25 Barbel and Chub, and Mark Shrimpton landed 14 Barbel on Tuesday afternoon. Of course as soon as we have rain all will change!
Please note that I have updated the fishery information sheet and added more detail to the map. For those who have booked previously please email me if you wish to see this, or in any case it will get emailed to you the next time you book.
5th August 2016
Nobody booked on today so I ventured out after the children were in bed. Got to the river about 7.30pm.
Left the feeder rod at home and took some vintage gear. My Clifford Constable 'Superb' and a Rapidex for those interested. Bait was lump of luncheon meat on a size 6. Even that was vintage (tin was covered in rust!).
I fished a swim in the 'wild field' that I have never fished before. Atmosphere was electric.
I missed a bite. Then lost one which almost stripped all my line before the hook pulled. Next fish landed was a somewhere between 8 and 8.5lb according to the fluttering needle on the Avons. It was followed by a c7lb plus fish.
A minor birds nest in the fading light called time.
2nd August 2016
The lower levels has meant it a little more difficult to catch over the past week or so during the day and there has been one or two sightings of an Otter which may have had a negative affect. Despite this for those using small baits and sitting it out until dark the rewards are still there to be had. Wayne Gilbert returned with his son for a couple of days last week and caught 25 Barbel plus Chub with most of the bites coming in the evening. His son caught his first Barbel too and some more!
21st July 2016
Since we have re-opened up some of the more off-lying swims there have been some enthusiastic reports back of catches of Barbel in particular and what seems a bigger average size from these areas. For example one angler at the weekend caught 6 fish with 3 over 8lb up to 9lb 7oz.
14th July 2016
Richard Lee and 3 friends from Dorset fished Monday and Tuesday just gone with the river up and Barbel perfect, and between them banked 27 Barbel to over 9lb and 16 Chub to over 4lb. They fished numerous swims over the couple of days and caught Barbel in each one.
12th July 2016
I am waiting for some more feedback but I know Ian Potts and 2 friends who fished on Friday pm and Saturday just gone who fished other swims away from the croys were rewarded with 11 Barbel and at least as many Chub.
We are intending to have another work party on Friday to make some of the other swims more obvious. They are accessible but just have become a little overgrown since we opened them up in the close season, due to lack of use!
30th June 2016
Conditions perfect at the moment. Plenty of Barbel between 5 and 10lb caught and Chub to 5lb in the last few days.
I even ventured out myself last night and caught 5 Barbel between 5 and 7lb plus a Chub, and bailiff Dougal caught 6 Chub and a Barbel. The Chub seemed to be all over 4lb which bodes well for the coming Autumn/Winter.
21st June 2016
One or two Barbel coming out including a superb early season double at 10lb 90z which is an encouraging fish considering how little bait the stretch has seen. Some nice Chub too. (I had better get down there myself!)An angler did report a c6lb Barbel drifting by belly up, which is assumed to have been a fish released too early from another fishery further up stream. (There were no OHF anglers above).
I try and vet anglers as they book and so far anglers have come across as experienced and would know about these things. For those who might not be so experienced then it might be an idea to have a look at this link: http://www.barbelfishers.com/services/fisheries/barbel-handling-code
17th June 2016 The raised levels have have produced a good number of 3ft twitches in the first couple of days of the season with Barbel in the 4-8lb range to feeder and pellet/boilie tactics, plus the odd decent Chub despite some torrential downpours to contend with.