I've been searching for something similar to the big and fairly wild brown trout reservoirs in the south west, but a little closer to our home in the Cotswolds. My search has centred around Wales and I found the various 'wilderness' reservoirs Welsh Water have. Beacons reservoir looked a great bet,
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| View from the far bank |
primarily wild brown trout with the odd rainbow, so I booked a ticket through the Wye & Usk Foundation. We arrived and given there was a road right next to it with bikes howling up and down, it wasn't very wilderness at all. The two fishable spots on the near bank already had anglers on them and so we headed to the far bank. However it was very bright with not a cloud in the sky, plus very gusty, with the wind not settling in any direction. It made for very difficult fishing, especially with a #5, so I never really got going properly.
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| A Beacons reservoir brownie |
Nonetheless a 3/4 pound brown trout was decent enough to attach itself to a Bibio on the point once I'd switched to sink tip, so we didn't go fishless. Later on in the day when anglers on the near bank left, it was then busy with passers by stopping to sunbathe or sit around, so by 2pm I decided to call it best and head the two hours back home. The water would be good fished from a boat, but it doesn't lend itself to bank fishing very well. There were about five people fishing there in total which given the condition, filled up most fishable spots. It's not a very pleasant experience with lots of people and litter about and its obviously not secluded. Good to tick another one off, but I probably won't be rushing back. Llyn Bugeilyn looks a much better prospect, shame it's so far away... Back home for Fernworthy or maybe Colliford next weekend, can't wait!
