Under Construction

Section 1

Beat Map: (click here to view)

 

Description:

            When you arrive at the entrance, turn down the track to the left to the gate. If the weather is very wet, park on the left hand side of the track before it enters the fields.  Check the conditions with Ian if in doubt!
            Otherwise, follow the track into the field and drive down along the left of the field. At the end of the first field, there are two electric wires where you enter the second (bottom) field. Go through (replacing the wires) & drive down the side of the field to the Hut. Unhook the electric wire and park inside next to the Hut.
            Be cautious here, as you are on the top of a high bank overlooking one of the best holding spots on the beat.  Try to keep back from in sight of the river to avoid frightening the fish below. The fishing extends to the top of the field to your right (upstream) & two fields to your left (downstream). 
            At the very top of the first field is the tail of the flat just before the river separates around Kent's Island, which is in front of you.  This is an excellent place to pick up running fish in medium to high water, as they lie up after running through the fast water along the side of the island.  Casting upstream & across with a Flying Condom is very effective here.
            As the river passes down the side of the island, it becomes fast, broken & ripply.  It is superb spinning water in medium/high water.  It is excellent for the fly in medium/low water conditions.  Enter the water down the path just below the trees towards the top of the field, & wade up to the tail of the flat above the croy (rocks) on the opposite bank at the head of the fast water.  Fish down into the croy & on into where it pushes the water into a lovely stream, which is broken up by a number of rocks at the tail.  The wading is easy over a gravel bottom.  As you come towards the next croy (rocks) on the far bank (halfway between the access path & the trees by the hut), the river becomes shallower, & the flow comes towards our side.  From here, start to wade back at an angle towards the first tree above the hut. There are several good lies in the middle of the stream here. Don’t try to wade in the middle of the river as you approach the Hut. Be underneath our bank when you come to the trees just above the Hut.
            The run all the way down from the Hut to the tail of the Island was always notorious for impossible rocky wading. In August 2006, we moved all the rock to clear a way along close under our bank, build up some bank support & create a series of ten small upstream croys to improve the stream.  You can now wade all the way down easily apart from one very small stretch which is still rather rocky, and from getting over the croys. This is now one of the finest fly streams on the river & it can be waded all the way down to the head of Gorman’s Pool.
            The fish tend to lie quite close in to our bank – middle to our side.  Fish this section from above the Hut right down to the end of the Island very carefully – spey-casting all the way down.  This ripply water is also excellent for spinning or spinning the shrimp in medium water. Fish this section very quietly & carefully, as fish lie close to our side.  Just at the tail of the island, there is a deep hole (Gorman’s Pool) – about 8-9 feet deep, which holds fish well, especially in low water & towards the end of the season. 
            Below the tail of the island, the current heads towards the far bank & is slower & gradually shallows out as it goes down into the flat.  There is a muddy gravel beach on our side (with a fence around it in the water), which enables you to wade well out to fish this flat.  It fishes well with worm & floated shrimp in low water, & spinner in higher water.  As you move down the gravel beach towards the boulders, the tail of the flat speeds up, & is good gliding fly water. 
            Downstream of the beach, towards the end of the middle field, there is a croy on our side, which pushes the water into The Boulders.  Here the water is broken up by a number of rocks, extending right over to the far bank.  This is superb fly water, & also for spinning.  In medium/low water, you can wade with chest waders all the way down along The Boulders, & on past the boulder & gravel bank on the far side, under which is a deep gully.  In medium water, one would normally come out at the cattle drink below the trees.  Caution, as the water is deeper to the left under the trees, & in higher water you may have to come back & go out at the croy.
            Towards the end of the bottom field down to the bottom boundary you come to Tommy’s Pool. This is slower deeper flat water especially in to our side.  It can be excellent for floated shrimp & worming, or spinning in high water.  It is a superb spot for autumn fish.