Simon8132

So my first river session is over and wow what a place the wye is. Unfortunately the conditions probably couldn’t have been worse for fishing with 30 degree plus days, super high water temperatures and super low water levels meaning there was very little margins and most of the swims were like fishing off the beach. I was concerned to learn that these conditions are really dangerous for the fish, especially the barbel and was surprised fishing wasn’t stopped were I was although I believe most other stretches it was. I certainly stopped targeting the barbel once a local explained what low oxygen levels would mean for the fish. I caught plenty of chub to just over four and a half pound, and once I started fishing into darkness found the barbel with fish upto around seven and a half pound pulling my arm off. I was also hoping to try for a Pike but was quickly advised at the local tackle shop it’s not safe for the fish to target them during the summer months. All in all a great experience and a steep learning curve. I would like to perhaps see some guidance about safe fishing conditions with your day tickets or club license as people who come from a sea or I guess and Stillwater background would be completely ignorant of this and could unwillingly harm these magnificent fish.

Good advice! Got my rule book Friday no lure fishing in the summer and no braid hook lengths so that’s a few things to leave at home.

So after more than 30 years of sea fishing and Stillwater coarse fishing I am finally going to try uk river fishing. I am booked into Lucksall campsite on the wye for 2 weeks in July where I’m hoping to try for Barbel, Chub and perhaps a bit of lure fishing for a summer pike. I am looking for advice on what line I should load my reels up with, mono or braid? And what sort of weight leads and feeders am I likely to need. Any other useful advice appreciated.