7th Sept
Arrived at the river 18:30 to the sewage works, what an excellent job the bank team have done !!! The river was clear & running at a good level, fish rising, so set up with dry fly (size 20 pale spent gnat ). In 30 minutes I had 12 Grayling & two browns !!! Best 4oz !! Moved up river & had another 4 browns up to 11/2lb, thought they were a pod of sea trout, as they spent more time out of the water when hooked than in !! followed this with 3 Grayling !!! Best 39 1/2 cm long !!!!!!!! What a fish (2 Grayling & 2 browns caught on a pink shrimp). Packed up (worn out) at 20:00. An excellent evening, looks like September will be THE month. See pictures in Photos.
Eddie.

5th Sept.
Out on Saturday morning after a tuition trip with Louis Noble on Thursday morning. The difference in the river was dramatic with high and muddy water still rising on Thursday but a normal level and clear on Saturday. Started at the Llay bridge trying the rising fish with a tan Klinkhamer, then a Baby Sun Fly. Nothing to either so I moved upstream, changing to a small Adams. A trout of about 10 inches at the first pool I came to then nothing further until I got to Eddie’s pool. Several fish rising under a willow on the opposite bank that resisted all efforts until I changed to a coch-y-bonddu (sorry to Welsh colleagues if that is the wrong spelling!) when another 10 inch brownie took. Further up at Acacia pool another two fish to the c-y-b then back again downstream and another fish at Flame corner, then home.
Les J.

29th Aug
So far this week things have not been good! Sonia and I have been suffering with Swine Flu. Yesterday was the first day I felt the need to wet a fly. I have set myself a challenge before the end of the season, that is to break my club record of a fish that weighed 3lb 10oz. I have been observing a fish now for a few weeks, which I believe will crack that record. So the fish was chosen, now the set up and tactics. I reverted to the set op that fooled the last Nemo along with the same tactics now to put them into play. I approached the pool where the monster lives, left me rod by my side and just watched. No sign of him, has someone beaten me to him? Anyway I decide to carry through me pre-arranged tactics and started to fish. After 8 or 9 casts my line stopped and moved up stream, I lifted into the fish, he decided upstream was bad and turned to run downstream. As he passed me on the far side a got me first view, it was the monster! And I had a fight on. As he reached the deeper water he accelerated so fast the line burnt my fingers, with the rod bent double and the fish deep, what to do? After 30secs of the fight the fish threw the hook! One very disappointed angler. This fish will break the club record!! I have 4 weeks left to prove it unless one of you beats me to it? Remember you will need a photo and a weighing scales to prove your catch.
Simon.

28th Aug
Arrived at the river for 18:45 & went to my old favourite spot - the island below Rossett weir. River
running clear & a nice height (not the usual summer low of August). Managed a couple of small Grayling before 3 locals youths stopped & watched, as
they did not believe there were fish in the river ?? The river decided to help & let me show them a 3/4lb Graying !! Result, they were impressed - So
was I. Managed two more, then a single Brown. The rain started so I packed up at 20:00.
Total 6 Grayling
         1 Brown
All to the pink shrimp !!!
Eddie

27th Aug
Arrived at the Llay road bridge around 2.00 pm and headed upstream. Lots of fish rising so tried a Klinkhamer, followed by several other patterns as I worked my way upstream. Only one rise from a tiddler so by the time I got to Acacia pool, I decided to try a PTN. An immediate result with a brown of about 10 inches. There were so many fish rising I assumed that I’d found a shoal of grayling but another brown made me think otherwise. A change to a hot spot shrimp brought two better (12 – 15 inches) browns. All fish in excellent condition and, from the number of fish rising, a healthy population.  Lots of other wildlife around as well with two (or the same one twice) kingfishers, and two dippers. As I arrived at Flame corner, there was a commotion upstream with a fish leaping clear of the water several times. The reason soon became clear as a young mink swam downstream and climbed out onto the bank just opposite me. After a couple of minutes of curious observation by both parties (me and the mink), it dived back and continued its journey downstream.
Les J.

19th Aug
I fished the Llay road bridge, form 5pm to 6.30pm and caught & returned a 1.5lb BT with a red kilnkhammer
David Ilsley

18th Aug
I fished Llay road bridge from 1pm to 2pm, fished a hares ear klinkhammer with a peacock & snipe dropper, 6 small grayling, on the dropper, and a 1lb BT on the klinkhammer – all returned
David Ilsley

17th Aug
I fished Llay road bridge from 1pm to 2pm, fished a hares ear klinkhammer with a peacock & snipe dropper, caught a 1lb BT and a v small grayling, both on the dropper – all returned
David Ilsley

15th Aug
Last  weekend Simon and I had a wonderful day on the Dee where I caught and took a handsome hard fighting two pound brownie which tasted wonderful, Also Simon caught a 40cm 3lb+ Grayling.
This weekend as we were wanting to fish for an hour or so as we both had a very busy week it was time to go to the Alyn. We decided to go to Llay Bridge where Simon started fishing while I went to flame corner. Nothing was rising but then a fish snatched at something in a very awkward place in the middle of the willow hanging over the bank and in the water. Could I get my fly into the heart of the willow? - No chance!! And when I did get everything right my fly ended up getting caught willow in the run. Moving on and trying to avoid the man made hazards of willow islands in the river, I went into the next run and fish were rising but it took five changes of fly before a fish finally took a small size 20 CDC F-fly variant, it fought well disturbing most of the pool with its leaps and noise so I decided to rest the pool before trying again; but while they were freely rising they weren’t interested in my fly, I tried other options but to no avail.  Simon called to say he was on his way down after catching a couple of trout by the two bridges on brown klinkhammers so it was time to go home. I was getting tired and my casting was deteriorating so it was definitely time pack up after a good hour.
Sonia.

14th Aug
I fished from 5pm to 6pm at Llay road bridge, grey duster , with a peacock and snipe dropper caught & returned a 1.5 lb BT on the duster
David Ilsley

13th Aug
In the morning popped by the river at Llay Road bridge to have a quick look. Not much happening, but saw a water rail pop his head out from a pile of wood by the waterside under the bridge, first one seen anywhere for a few years, and first ever on our river.  Parked at sewage works area, and disgusted by the amount of litter in the small grass verge, I filled a bag of bottles, chippie wrappers, ciggy boxes and all sorts. Did it out of shame that the farmer might think its us. But then when I got to the sewage works pool there was a half eaten carcass of a sheep on the bank, stinking to high heaven, so I think a little litter might be the least of the farmer's concerns.  The sewage pool was absolutely alive with fish, there were little uns slashing at the water, there were decent fish boiling, and then there were one or two unmistakable whoppers swirling. But this is a pool that always beats me. Started on a Sakasa Gujo dry fly in pale beige colour whilst green bottles and blue bottles landed all over me being only feet from the carcass as I tackled up. Had two rises from small fish but didn’t strike, I was after the medium sized ones further along! Well, when I got to them they didn’t like the fly, so I switched, and switched again, and still they rose, then I went on buzzer and then on heavy wets, but apart from some flashes, no takes. I worked up to the area where the 'big boys' were playing but there was no interest there either. Then, to my surprise all the big boys were now at the front of the pool from where I had waded (this was all in slow motion over the period of 40mins!) rising enthusiastically and eventually I figured out it was to a tiny up winged pale fly - maybe pale watery dun - but by then my time was up and so it being pointless to fish a tiny fly downstream I put on a big black deer hair sedge to drag along the surface, as I went back down the pool, but that didn’t work either. And, slightly annoyed, if I am honest, I trudged back to the car, all the while with a rotting innards embedded in my senses as the wind was upstream the whole time!
Conor

11th Aug
The sun was baking down so it was time for a lunchtime visit to worm’s wood and I wanted to see if the natural dam caused by the recent floods was still keeping the area backed up. Well, what a surprise was in store as the water levels were below normal and the river bed was very different, totally shallow in some places, new deep pools in others. The water was crystal clear and I decided that this would have to be upstream fishing only to have any chance of success. Walked downstream for a bit, well in from bank, and arrived at my starting point back at a favourite pool, which after 20 minutes, didn't produce even one take, and on a variety of wets. Ironically I realised I should have fished it downstream, given the changes in the river bed here. Moved upstream and came to a deep pool with several fish rising. With the chalk stream quality water, I could see several dark silhouettes of fish, despite the strong sunlight coming through the branches, and these fish were mostly average sized, trout or grayling, but there was one big one. I put on a tan Klink hammer and with one arm holding onto a tree branch leaned out over the water and cast upstream ahead of his nose. No movement. And again several more times, once mistimed and resulting in a rise which I didn’t strike into. Another cast, the fly wobbled, and the fish moved up slowly.....and then with acceleration launched into the fly and he was on! After a short battle downstream, he came to the net, a really powerfully built 31cm trout - took a photo.
As I released the trout another fish started rising nearby but the Klink hammer was drowned and wouldn’t float. I tried a Tenkara dry fly with no joy and then switched to olive Klink hammer but couldn’t get another fish to rise so I moved on. I then spotted a huge grayling lying casually midflow about 4-5 feet below (water was even that clear!), definitely bigger than anything I had ever landed before. I decided on the stone clinger pattern and from the trees I cast ahead and across of his position. As the pattern moved in range there was a commotion and 'my' fish was joined by several even bigger cousins as they jostled to take the fly, but none actually did. And so it continued for several more casts until I spooked them and they slipped away to the shadows of the tree roots!
Found a Meps type spinner caught in a branch over the water, trailing about 15 feet of line which I gathered up.
Conor

I fished for two hours after work and had a very productive time. Five trout between 9"and 12" and a small Grayling. These were all taken in sections of rougher water between Flame Corner and Lower Straight Cut on a size 16 Grey Duster.
Regards,
Paul H 

7th Aug
Been fishing the Warrington WA stretch of the river of late, but the hot weather tempted me back to the cool shade of Griffin Bridge area for a lunch visit. As I was setting up in the river shallows I glimpsed a very strange movement in the pool about 80 metres below me. I thought it might have been an otter or mink swimming just underwater, but having kept looking for next 5 minutes there was nothing more. Although I had intended heading upstream, I just had to go down to have a look. Peering through the heavy undergrowth into the pool there were no mammals to be seen. Maybe a nice fish cruising the surface? It was worth a try. Decided to tie on my biggest bushy fly, a no 10 Zulu wet pattern, with the intention of 'plopping' it into the pool to tempt any fish to take a fallen bug from the branches above. One of those things you read about but never really try. On the second cast to my complete surprise up came a boil in the water and a fish was on! I expected a tiddler, that being all I have ever had take in this pool, but the rod bent over and a good fish was on. I got a glimpse as the fish zipped through two boulders and it was a nice trout. I was so happy that the experiment had worked. I then went upstream to fish a deep pool with a double bead stone clinger pattern but never had a take and then I fished downstream with a size 14 single bead GRHE in green, with one take, one that I didn’t hook properly.
Conor

6th Aug
Fished from 11am to 2.30pm from flame corner to 200metres. Caught 5 really good brownies from 8" to 12". Lost a few on the way to the net too. Suicidal they where and all within 20 feet!!! My most productive day yet on the river to date. All were caught on size 16 and 18 black or olive dries. Water was beautifully clear and normal height, slightest breeze from opposite bank. Mainly sunny with the odd cloud. Great!
Mark Keiller.

5th Aug
Arrived late afternoon at the sewage works. Very sunny and hot, not surprisingly no fish were moving especially after Howard threw a large rock into a nice run as I passed. Fished up stream nymphs behind the works to the weir. Lots of salmon parr; 3 small trout and 1 Grayling. Two young lad drinking and spinning at the weir. I advised it would be in their best interests to move on.
Simon

27th July
Morning visit to sewage works area, started to fish at 6am and had no luck on upstream buzzer (a green one Simon had given me on which he had hooked new Moby). Continued fishing upstream on either tan klinkhammer on dry or double bead stone clinger pattern on wet.  No fish rising. On one pool went above to fish downstream to reach a fast run, no interest as I moved foot by foot across and down in a sweep with the stone clinger. And then I was in, a good grayling on the end fighting for all it was worth and using its dorsal fin to good effect. However he tired and moved toward me and as I brought him in....a massive brown trout was in fact what I had on the end of the line, and moreover he decided that he wasn’t in fact that tired at all and sped off down into the current, as I stumbled along to keep pace, and then in another pool he came close and I brought him under control and to hand. An absolute beauty of a fish, stocky and long and at 35cm equal to my personal best within season on the river. However, this trout just didn’t know when to behave and as I got the mobile out for the release photo, off he shot and the camera took a photo of water!!!
Once my heart beat returned to an even keel I continued fishing various hopeful lies and had one or two pulls but shouldn’t have struck at them. Eventually I connected and landed a nice 23m trout.  With only 10 minutes left decided to walk the river back and cast back over some of the pools from which I had no pulls earlier. On the third pool a right heave of a pull and for a momentary second I knew I had made contact with another leviathan of a fish.  However, all was not lost, as while the fly was working deep in another run the line hit an obstacle and when resistance was applied the obstacle began to move and a good fish was on. A grayling of 32cm was duly landed after a few minutes, and photographed before its return. A lovely morning out.
Conor.

24th July
being determined to see this flood out until its ebb I was on the river at Griffin Road Bridge at 6am to see how the river was faring. It was doing ok, still a little coloured and high but about right.  Started by fishing a deep pool in a downstream manner on Tenkara. Using a bow and arrow cast I got the double bead stone clinger pattern into a nice bit of pocket water, on the third cast I felt a thump and I was into a fish. And then I realised I was into a big fish as the rod strained for all it was worth to contain the beast underwater. I raised the rod higher and then the fish jumped, what a fish, at first I was convinced it was a sea trout but as I worked it in closer it was a grayling, and what a whopper, easily fatter and longer than my personal best on the river, as it showed itself in the flow of water. He then sped off downstream and I held him at maybe 6 foot deep in the pool, for what seemed ages, but was probably a matter of maybe a minute or two.  And as he got closer he started to fight again, and I honestly thought the rod would break as I held high but all was well and the fish came to hand slowly, but then the line was in my hand and all I could do was try to beach him, and after two shakes of his head he was free and my club end of season grayling trophy was back on Eddie's shelf! What a pity! But the fight was so memorable, every tail turn, every dive, each was connected to me in a way I never felt before.
That said, as I continued upstream, and without the value of hindsight, I felt utter despondency, at having lost my one chance of the day. The night before I had reviewed my July records for the river in last two years July and it was not encouraging! As I came to the 'devils pool' I noted that the floods had exorcised the tree of snags but replaced it with a massive tree trunk in mid stream creating two flows to fish. A relatively wholesome result in fact.  The left flow, fishing downstream, produced nothing. After my third bow arrow cast to the right the line stopped under the trunk and a fish was on. The Ayu rod bent double again and due to the different angle of the fight I was better able to appreciate its attributes in a fish fight.  Soon the fish tired and a lovely trout of 32 cm with a silver sheen across its upper body was landed and photographed on the grass verge.
I was well chuffed at my success and continued downstream in buoyant mood. I came to an open expanse of rock and water and fished up and across and down. On the second cast the line tugged parallel to me and a fish was on. A grayling, also of 32 cm, and surprisingly, with less fight than the brownie, came to hand. The size of the fish served to reinforce my awe at the size of the earlier grayling I had allowed to escape. Now I was thinking 40cm+, but before long that would reach 50cm....Back to fishing please!
I kept going downstream trying to avoid the many snags presented by undergrowth, and emerged in the open glade part of the wood. My favourite area, but despite that having never caught here except a small brownie on dry at dusk. On my third cast into an area of pocket water with the same stone clinger pattern as before, I got a pull, and a brief fight resulted in another brownie, this time of 31cm. The colouration of this brown trout was something of a joy as per photo.
My time was nearly up but I wanted to find out where the upstream blockage in flow was. I left the rod and ventured upstream and took photos of a vast open area of fallen trees and gathered debris of more than 100m across. It was an amazing sight with lots of streams and waterfalls amongst an unfishable expanse of a rugby pitch.
I came back to these very same pools at lunchtime to see if the 'golden moment' had passed. And so it had.... No matter what I tried the fish wouldn’t take. Which was annoying, but then made me appreciate the amazing fishing of the morning even more. At the end of my lunchtime session the rain came down really heavy for 15 minutes solid. And so the river rose and the colour returned. And so its time to catch another golden moment.
Conor

23rd July.
Out for the first time in several weeks. River fining down nicely after the recent rain but not a fish showing anywhere. Saw three youngsters (9 - 10 years old) spinning/ledgering with worm in the sewage field so advised them to try the local fishing tackle shop for places where they could fish legally. Pity there is no free tuition for the next generation, especially during school holidays. Back to fishing. Had four pulls on downstream nymph working downstream from sewage works but no connections. Moved upstream after a short break and had one grayling, about 10 cm, on upstream nymph. Nothing else but nice to be out and had a chat to Bill, the part-time baliff before heading home for a late lunch.
Les J.=

23rd July
Morning trip found me on the river at 5.50 am. Water getting back to normal levels, a few inches to go, but still a pale ale colour.  Started by fishing the sewage works pool, at which point a kingfisher departed its perch, and left an azure tracer trail as it sped off upstream. Slowly made my way all the way up to September cottage, alternating between wet and dry as my mood struck me.  There were no rising trout as a cue that morning.  Enroute caught two trout, one of 23cm, one of 22cm, from the same area of pocket water in a turbulent section of river, fishing a double gold bead stone clinger type pattern that sinks like a stone. The current made these feel like much bigger fish and the rod had a decent bend in it for a few moments until each trout was moved sideways out of main flow to the shallows.  I noted that casting with the Ayu rod is much easier with heavy patterns compared to my 8 foot rod. No other takes of fish seen rising until September cottage when an oblivious 15cm brownie decided to attack my nymph a few feet in front of me. Two more views of kingfishers on the way back. And a special moment, a family of young wrens protesting to parents with a low rattle, probably on one of their first outings, moving around the foliage of a bush and a tree trunk at the pace of furry mice on speed.

I couldn’t resist a lunchtime trip to Worms’s wood, where Simon joined me to try out the Ayu rod.  I left him to it as I fished a few pools upstream. The water was ferocious here, much higher and harder flow than in morning. More rain on the hills perhaps? This was my first time fishing my 8 foot rod in a few weeks, and it felt very strange and clunky, probably comparable to driving a Mazda Furai for a week and then returning to back to a Renault Fuego. But soon I got the hang of it again and covered areas I would not have been able to with Tenkara due to the high water and me being in thigh waders rather than chesties.  I had no takes when I passed Simon going downstream, took a few photos of him in mid flow in chest waders, and he shouted that he was having no takes either, which I had to admit surprised me as I fully expected him to have landed a specimen grayling by then, Murphy's Law!   The water was even deeper downstream, and I fished for a while from atop a small spill over, below which was a raging torrent of water, and I could hardly hear, but I did catch a brownie of 23cm in the midst of the flow, on the stone clinger pattern.  Then I came to an area that normally would have a lovely run it but today it was like a still muddy pond, I was astounded, having never seen it like that, and if time had allowed would liked to have seen where the dam was downstream, as it might have presented some interesting new flows to fish (or drown in). Two fish were rising in this 'pond' and so leaning precariously out from a branch of a tree and punching my rod out through I tried casting blind to them and peering hard to get glimpses of the tan Klink hammer between branches as it came back towards me. This high risk strategy paid off and I saw a wee little brownie of 16cm came up from the depths and snatch the fly and was able to react in time. Time was then up and Simon was fishing dry fly on the Ayu rod when I reached him but not having any luck.
Conor.

21st July
Lunchtime trip to sewage works area, to see how much the water had dropped and cleared. Well it had dropped a foot at least, and was starting to clear, but still a very heavy flow. Great to be in the river with the water surging along and noisy too! But before then it took me 5 minutes fiddling with the girth-hitch knot to re-connect my line to rod. On last few trips had kept the line attached, rolling the line onto the spool and carrying the rod and spool together.  However, this could lead to a break if I tripped or stored the rod poorly or whatever, so on last trip I thought to unattached the girth-hitch connection, but whilst I could get the line out I didn’t manage the dexterity required to unset the knot.  So, it was that I needed my needle to work out the knot on this trip before I could reset the knot onto the line. That done I was back in business, but I reckon on keeping the connection like that permanently! At least two dippers gave me great views, resting on the few non-submerged rocks within the stream to eye me up and then flying up and downstream of me. I thought that it must be hard for them with the powerful flow of water in recent days. Kept on Tenkara and cast a few nymphs and Sakasa wet patterns up and across, keeping the fly no more than a few inches below water otherwise couldn’t see any takes. I needn’t have worried, there weren’t any! Experimented with casting to deep whirl pools on the far bank and maintaining the fly in position, but no takes from that either.  Tried my trusty green nymph pattern with a mid body gold bead, and fishing it across and downstream along a pool on the near bank, had one take and a brownie of 22cm was landed.  Success at last! Continued fishing that pool and as my eyes wandered another 30 feet further downstream a salmon of 5-10lb broke the surface in a brief roll setting my heart into quick pace. Great to see them running and no surprise given the water levels!
Conor.

20th July
Lunchtime trip to fish between sewage works and Gresford weir. River still a dangerous and unfamiliar beast after several days of incessant rain last week, which was unexpected as thought it would have calmed down by now. Having counted on relatively normal water levels I had planned to use Tenkara method. And it was too late to get my other fly rod. Found one or two places where I could get into the raging torrent to cast to a few quiet backwaters, all the while watching out for a leg breaker log or two in the flow! I found myself being able to cover quiet water without losing my whole line in the mid-flow, but what if I connected with a decent fish, it would defiantly break the line or rod if it entered the mid flow. Nothing took on either dry or wet but at least I didn’t drown in the attempt!
Conor

16th July
Arrived at the river around midday, overcast but dry. Rain had been forecast in the afternoon so a short trip had been planned. No location or fly description this time as the first fish I hooked shocked me! The fish stayed deep for the first 1min then put on a display like my Blue Marlin I hooked. It started the most fantastic fight I have ever had on our river. Jumping to well over 2ft many times, and then running hard in all directions before finally throwing the hook after about 3min. The fish was well over 3lb maybe even heavier than my club record, and yes it appeared to be a brown trout not a sea trout, it came very close! After recovering from this fight another 5 browns and 1 grayling came to hand before the rain hit.
Simon.

15th July
Fished from 10.30 to 12.30, starting just above the sewage works. The water was coloured and the flow was fairly fast so not surprisingly there was nothing doing for the dry fly man. Then I moved to just above the weir where it was a very different story. There were multiple fish rising along the stretch to the willow island and I came away with 5 fish in total all Brownies and all taken on a size 20 Tups para and ranging in size from 10cms to 35cm.
Simon W.

14th July
Lunchtime trip upstream of Gresford weir. Grass in the meadow is now chest high and it was a major battle to walk through it and then through the shrubbery jungle of the wood.  Emerged directly into the stream, with a fair few nettle stings, below the straight stretch and surprised to find the water clear and back to normal level despite the instant flood last evening. Extended my Ayu rod with the line already set up and ready wound on the spool. It’s still a novelty! Put on a Sakasa tan body reverse hackle fly and started fishing slightly upstream and then down and across. Casting was very tight, but I have yet to snag despite a 13 foot rod, and 16 feet of line flying about the place. Either I am blessed or it’s intuitive, and the line moves delicately enough to amend any imminent disasters in mid cast!  After a few casts a right good bump on the line but I missed it.   A slow sweep back over the riffle and nothing, then another slighter bump.  Decide to switch to dry fly and start with a tan klinkhammer. This is where the rod and line come into their own. Upstream to a fast run and some slack water and keep flicking the fly back over a likely spot, moving a few inches across at a time, with the fly bobbing along nicely, when up comes a flash of a trout and its on. A little one of 19cm.  Decide to switch to a Sakasa-Gujo dry fly, it’s tiny, but it survives the flow of water, however, nothing takes it after fishing 20 feet upstream decide to go back to the Klinkhammer which at a size 12 is better suited to my tippet in any case.  Move further upstream and slowly move through the dense bank cover with rod held high flicking it ahead in the deep pools which are unwadable. What's great this time is that there is no snagging of reel in the undergrowth as I move along and I cover water I have never been able to before. A big shape moves up to intercept and is gone. Oh so unlucky I moved the fly away at wrong time slipping on rock! Further along a kingfisher reveals its home, and comes out from the bank, lovely to see so many this year. And then another trout, a little bigger at 23 cm.
Conor

13th July

Despite the heavy !! rain at 17:00 I decided to venture out & arrived to Worms’s wood area at 18:00. The rain had stopped & the sun was out, the river was the colour of drinking chocolate !! I set up with two shrimp & took my 1st fish, a Grayling at the top of the horse field. Did not get another pull until the last rocky area at the top of our area. This turned out to be a Brown of about 1/2lb. As I turned to head back I noticed a rise ??? I put on a small black gnat (size 20) just on the off chance of a take & it did another Brown this time 1lb+! More fish were rising as I made my way back, so it would have been rude not to try. Managed another two. Just goes to show that poor river conditions do not stop sport. Left the river 19:30. Thinking on the way home, Grayling do switch from sight to smell, so after the 1st one it should be no surprise that due to the coloured water I had no more. What did surprise me were the Browns rising for small flies through the colour ! Pictures on Albums
Total 1 Grayling
         4 Brown
Eddie.

A busy day at work meant a 30 minutes slot for lunchtime fishing and so I chose the island area below Rossett weir. Set up for Tenkara, fishing a Sakasa peacock body reverse hackle fly. First cast into the tail of the left channel and a grayling intercepted and was on. A small one of 23cm but very welcome. Great! Next cast another grayling of same size from the same shoal and then it went quiet. This gave me time to watch the action of the fly pattern underwater with some interest. It 'buzzes' through the water in a really different way to my other wet patterns; hard to explain you have to see it! Switched to another few flies but there was no more interest, which was a pity as I was hoping for one of the big grayling that sometimes take here. A few really tight casts upstream into the channel produced another grayling of 22 cm and that was all I had time for. Water conditions were lovely, but worth noting that there was a massive thunderstorm on my way home later in evening and on passing the river it was 1-2 feet up in a matter of 20 minutes. Absolutely massive shower for 15 minutes. Probably be clear by tomorrow though.
Conor

10 July
Arrived at Griffin Bridge at 14.00.  River still coloured but water level almost back to normal.  Set up for Tenkara and decided to fish downstream from the bridge.  Started off on dry fly under the bridge but there was no interest. Switched to iron blue dun downstream casting across and allowing the rod to provide movement to the fly working its way sub-surface across a large expanse of slow water. Had two swirls but missed the takes if they were as such.  Switched to shrimp and saw a fish turn to take but felt nothing. I figured that I must be jerking the rod too much and making it hard for the fish to zoom in on final take! Slowed down and sure enough a fish struck and a fish was on...and then off.  Damn. The feel of the take was instant down the rod length, a weird feeling compared with feeling it on the line.  Further downstream started fishing a really deep gully with a weighted green body nymph.  As the fly rose a fish rose with it and gracefully exited the water with my fly in its mouth and landed without my fly.  Was I ever going to connect! However, a few moments later, after a dipper flew towards me and over my head, it all happened right, a 'bing' on the rod, raised rod and a fish was on.  Only a little un of 15 cm and landing to release was straightforward. Had a mini celebration jig of my first trout on Tenkara.  Just as well no-one was watching! Continued downstream under old bridge and to the September cottage area. With the closed canopy I experimented with a bow arrow style 'cast', this being really good with the long and sensitive rod, getting me to pools I would otherwise never be able to cover. I was rewarded with another take and a small brownie of 20cm. This one felt like a half pounder would on my other rod, cant wait to connect with a good fish on this Tenkara set up, its going to feel like a titanic battle! Had no time for any more fishing, left river at 16.30, with a kingfisher darting past me as I went back upstream.  It was an extremely interesting and invigorating visit, having fished the stretch with a totally new focus on my surroundings.
Conor

9th June
Thought I would have an hour on the river. Arrived at Worm’s wood at 18:10 & went upstream, with the hope of a large Grayling !! Not had a good one for some time. River coloured – definite chocolate tinge. Set up with two PTN spider patterns. On the 1st pool I fished I had two small browns, but no Grayling, so moved on. Just before the landslip area I came across 5
poachers !!! 3 older men (40 –50) & two teenagers. I pointed out that it was fly only & private fishing, also that it was a bit obvious that they were poaching as they were using spinning rods – There reply – we aren’t spinning !!! We are using maggots !!! They agreed to move on so I carried on & fished a small pool. Here I managed 2 Grayling best one 35cm !! At last a decent one ! Next cast I got stuck on a submerged obstacle & snapped !!! So packed up & left at 19:00 (all poachers gone on my return, 3 past me going upstream, other 2 must have gone another route ?).
Eddie.

7th July
A few days ago my package from TenkaraUSA (http://www.tenkarausa.com) arrived. A 13 foot rod with a taper down to an unbelievably sensitive tip, a 12-13 foot furled leader and some beautifully presented Tenkara style fly patterns in 2 glass vials. And so it was with some excitement that I ventured to Worms’s wood around 4.30pm to give Tenkara its first proper test on our river, having dabbled with makeshift gear some weeks earlier.  However, on arrival the river was rising and coloured so fishing conditions were poor.  The process of extending the rod and attaching the line was really simple and soon I was in the river in a favourite pool and casting one of the Sakasa reverse hackle wet patterns upstream into the rising deep flow. The casting took a while to get into, but soon I was getting the handle of it. No takes however, so I switched to shrimp. No takes on that either so moved to another pool to try dry fly.  The presentation of a dry fly was amazingly light and delicate, with the fly bobbling along nicely and with minimum drag in the flow. No takes due to water conditions, but the fishing practice was very encouraging for my next visit.  Unfortunately for me, a trip to London means that next visit will be delayed by a few days!
Conor

5th July
Managed to get up early(ish) again !!& arrived on the river at 07:50, starting at the sewage pool !! Having tied up some 24’s as spent gnats. Still difficult & was having 1 take to every 10 – 12 casts. These were long cast from just entering the pool to the outfall of the sewage farm (casting round the bush as well !!) Managed 3 small Browns, all the larger fish ignored my offerings ! Moved downstream to the island below Rossett weir, changed to a single PTN, only managed 2 here both Grayling 2nd one must be my smallest this season - only just bigger than the fly !!! but lip hooked !! Altogether I had 3 browns to 4oz & 2 grayling of about 4oz. Packed up at 09:30 to join the working party. Another nice Sunday morning
Eddie

Worms wood 1300 hrs onward. Water low and clear caught 7" and 8" 
brownies on size 16 green Klinkhamer. Some rain but mainly sunny and no wind. Fished on a seam of bubbles for first one then saw the rise of second one.
Mark (disco5tu)

4th July

Simon dropped me off at the sewage works as I wanted to fish for rising trout while he wanted to go after the grayling. Sure enough above the weir the trout were rising steadily, after covering a number of fish it was clear I had the wrong fly on the end of my tippet so it was time to change. First cast with the new fly and I was into a stunning little fish of about half a pound quickly followed by a larger but equally beautifully marked fish which put up a good fight. As normal I become distracted by a grey wagtail as it land near me and a fish leaps out of the water after my fly only for my attention to be elsewhere. Steadily moving up the run I manage five fish one was so spirited I was amazed to release a trout instead of a grayling and he was quickly released to fight another day. Moving to another part of the river I was surprised to see islands of willow, usually there are fish rising in this section but today it was dead, but my main concern is casting when they grow making the run more like an obstacle course. Feeling disappointed not a single fish was interested in my fly I thought it was time to move on. As it was getting hotter there was no way I was going to walk all the way to meet Simon so I returned downstream and as I was crossing below the weir I could see more rising fish so I crept into the river below them and enjoyed catching another six fish on the dry.

Sonia

Lunchtime trip to Worms’s wood, dropped Sonia off at the sewage works to fish up. Paul was also indulging in the cool of the wood. Fished many pools and water that I have never fished before. Few fish were rising so I carried on with my up stream nymphs. I now have a new favourite pool! 5 grayling all over 30cm the largest being 34.5cm. In all 11 grayling were caught and 1 trout par.
Simon

I went to do an invertebrate survey at Griffin Bridge, then stayed to fish in Worms Wood. Apart from one rising in the first pool above the bridge, I saw little at first. A spell with a nymph brought me one small trout, then I spotted a rise and caught another little one, but by the time I caught up with Simon these were my only successes. After this, however, I found some rising in a long pool near the top of the beat. There were probably about 15 fish here in all, but they were rising only sporadically and were not at all easy to tempt. I spent over an hour here, getting one on a Sedge, then one on an Olive, before finally a Bangor Duster started to work better. I had three on this, two of around half a pound; all the others were small fish of 5-6", but all nice wild trout. A heavy downpour ended the rise, but when I got back to Griffin Bridge the sun was shining again, and the fish I'd seen at the start was rising again. I caught it this time: another 5" trout!
 Paul L.

30 June
Lunchtime trip to Worms’s wood, the only one likely for week due to work commitments. Hot hot hot on the drive there, but cool in the shade and with the breeze blowing off the gurgling stream. Tried some upstream weighted nymph fishing and at one point saw a nice brownie turn towards the nymph as it neared me and veered away.  No other interest, one fish rising and covered but no takes. The fishing is now getting really really hard!
Conor

28th June
Managed to get up early(ish) & arrived on the river at 07:30, starting at the sewage pool !! (again). This time I only gave it 10 minutes !! – not a pull, again they were on small-spent dry flies & I had set up 2 PTN nymphs !!! As I moved upstream I started to connect, despite fish rising I stuck with my original set up & fished through to the concrete bank above the weir. Altogether I had 7 browns to 1/2lb & 1 grayling of about 6oz. Packed up at 09:15 to join the working party. Nice morning & I did not get
preoccupied this time.
Eddie

25th June
Sunny, humid with a slight down stream breeze. Met Simon on the way to the river, helpful as always commented that there were plenty of fish rising above the Weir. Oh Simon on the way down the sewage works access road I found your green fishing licence wallet and contents, send me your address and I will post it to you. As for the fishing... shall we say frustrating! 1 x beautiful Brownie & 20+ missed chances, but what a glorious evening to be on the river.
Best regards,
Kevin

Arrived at the Waterfall Pool at 7pm, river was low but with a decent flow and pretty clear. A number of fish were rising and spent half an hour trying to tempt them but to no avail. Moved up to the pool next to the gate to Two Bridge field and spent an hour missing take after take, mainly small fish. Eventually landed a beautifully spotted wild brownie of 23 cm on a size 18 Royal Wolff. Moved up to the two bridges and again missed numerous takes to the Royal Wolff. After losing my fly to  the bridge I made my way upstream. With the light fading I put on a size 18 Blonde Wolff and landed two brownies, one 20 cm and the other 15 cm. Left at just after 10pm. Great to see some many rises with fly life all over the water.
Simon Wise.

Lunchtime trip to Griffin bridge to walk directly to the 'open glade pools' in  worms wood. Lovely water, lovely visit, but no takes to a variety of wet patterns! Water extremely clear, chalk stream quality. Fish probably very wary now.
Conor

24th June
Arrived at the river at 20:45, promising “she who must be obeyed” to only stay for ½ an hour or so!!! Decided to start at the Sewage pool, fish were rising well & I thought I would be in!!!! Tried various dries, then wets including shrimp – nothing!! I have had difficulties on this pool before, but this night I was struggling. The only option was to go smaller!! Ended up with a size 24 spent gnat & at last managed some good hits. I took 4 small browns in quick succession, but could not connect with the larger fish that were showing?? Better luck next time. - 22:15 & “She” rang!!! Oops  late again !!! No more pass outs for a few days then!!
Eddie

Lunchtime trip to Griffin bridge. Fished upstream and decided to see how the open area is looking in worms wood. Its looking lovely, but no takes in any of the extremely deep very fishy looking pools! Had one brownies of 18cm on a gold head damsel nymph on way back downstream in shallower water.
Conor

22 June
Lunchtime trip to worms wood. One aggressive take on a gold head damsel nymph which was probably a good grayling but as they usually hook well, was tempted to dream of a big fresh sea trout with sea soft gums with whom i had just had a close encounter!
Conor

21st June
Arrived at Llay Road bridge just after 17.00, a few fish were rising with sedge all over the water. I was slowly making my way upstream when the heavens opened so sort shelter under the trees. After about half an hour the rain stopped so I continued along the bank looking for rising fish but none were about. Got to the Waterfall pool and two fish were rising at the head of the pool, just on the bend. Covered them with an orange kinkhammer but nothing doing so got out and continued along the bank. Covered a rising fish in the Acacia pool with a size 16 black wolff and landed a small, possibly stocked, brownie of about 6 inches. Continued upstream after losing my fly to a tree. Arrived at the first bridge and could see a number of rises. After 3 or 4 casts, half between the two bridges, a lovely wild brownie of around 7 to 8 inches came to hand, falling foul of a size 16 blonde wolff. Moved up, just past the second bridge casting to just in front of the hawthorns and on my third cast landed a cracking wild brown of about 12 inches, again to the blonde wolff. Decided to head back to the car but on passing the gate to the field saw a number of fish rising in the pool by the wall. Considered this to be too tempting so got in and the blonde wolff again proved deadly as I landed two fish both approximately 8 or 9 inches. Called it a night at just after 21.00
Simon Wise

20th June
Sonia and I had a quick fish from Llay bridge upstream, Few fish were rising but we both managed 2 each to a dry. The river is very quite and very low and slow. Bird life is amazing with sand martins everywhere. Quit after an hours fishing to get home for a wine and tea.
Simon

18 June
Lunchtime trip to Worms wood. Fishing shrimp downstream had no takes.
Conor

17th June
Arrived at Gresford weir to sample the river for insects at 17:00 with Steve & Conor. Conor brought his rod to fish upstream after the sampling. Steve & I decided (after the rain stopped) to have an hour in Worms Wood, as Steve had not fished this area before. (18:00) We tried the wood itself above the horse field & found a couple of likely spots, as there were no signs of rising fish, a shrimp pattern was used. I managed a couple of Grayling & a small brown. Walking back to join Steve, he invited me to try the pool he had fished & on the 1st cast, before the fly sank a brown shot up hit the fly & leapt out of the water – minus the fly ??? Must have been long sighted !! As we both had come straight from work, hunger called & we called it a
day, leaving the river at 19:00
Eddie

After some early evening insect sampling with Eddie and Steve below Gresfor weir i went off upstream in search of some rising fish for 20 minutes and had one brownie of 19cm to a tan klinkhammer.
Conor

15 June
Lunchtime trip to area upstream of Griffin bridge. Fishing wets upstream had no takes.
Conor

14th June
Fished behind the Sewage works early this morning. 0730hrs and the only fish rising were in the sewage pool. I ignored those and carried on fishing upstream nymphs. 7 Grayling and 2 browns were my reward. I finished as the working party arrived . Helped out for an hour then returned home for breakfast.
Simon

12th June
Nipped out for a couple of hours this morning (another advantage of working from home !!”
Arrived at Worm’s Wood about 9am. Weather was excellent hazy sun and a light breeze. Decided to start on the left hand bank going upstream. It was like fighting through a jungle with nettles and other growth up to my chin. Eventually got onto the water just below the A 483 By pass lay by and started with GHRE and Gold bead nymph. Nothing moving and no knocks. Tried the deep pool by the fallen tree and hooked into a beautiful wild brownie about 8” and absolutely smothered in spots. Put it back in and carried on to the next pool. Once again another brown slightly smaller than the first but again in excellent condition. Kept moving to the corner to try my luck in the pool just up from the shallows. Lost both flies on a snag so re hooked with a light green shrimp pattern and a dark green gold head. Second cast and the line stopped dead. Thinking I had snagged again I gave a tug and bang out of the water leapt a brownie!! Big fight to get him away from fallen branches and into the net. Lovely fish, full bodied excellent condition just over 14” and about a pound and a quarter. No camera with me so no photo. Again back in he went and home for me. Excellent day and no grayling which makes a change. On the way back to the car spotted two Kingfishers and also a Dipper. River is in really good condition.
Tight lines all      
Gary

11th June
Arrived at the river at 20.00 and started at the Llay Road bridge. Two fish were rising, both were close in to the bank on either side of the river. Tried covering the fish closest to the left bank but gave up after losing three flies to the tree! Put on a size 18 Blonde Wolff and moved slightly up stream where I rose, hooked and finally landed a Grayling of about 25cms. Wandered up along the bank looking for rising fish but nothing was showing even at Flame Corner, Eddie's Pool or the Waterfall Pool, there really was very little fly life on the water. Decided to watch the pool closest to the wall by the gate to the Two Bridge field. Two fish were rising but couldn't see what they were taking. Covered  the closest one with the same Blonde Wolff which the fish went for but I missed it. Cast to the same spot and it took it again and after a short fight a lovely, beautifully spotted wild Brownie of around 20cms came to hand. At this time Howard was walking back downstream and I joined him at the Waterfall Pool for a smoke and a chat. After about 10 minutes of watching the pool the most enormous bow wave appeared from about 4 feet in front of us and bolted upstream at a fair rate of knots, we assume that it could only have been a sea trout, it was quite a sight. After about another 5 minutes a small fish appeared to be rising so Howard suggested that I put a fly over it. After numerous casts with no rise I decided to leave it but as I reeled in it rose again so I tried once more. Same again, no rise so reeled in and it rose again. Moved about a foot upstream which must have help take the drag off the line as after a couple of casts a small stocked brownie of around 12cms came to hand, again falling for the Blonde Wolff. Packed up at just after 22.00 having spent a very enjoyable few hours on the river and it's good to be catching again, stockies or otherwise.
Simon Wise

Lunchtime trip below Rossett weir and fished from the island across and down the flow. One or two little takes but nothing conclusive. Probably spooked the fish with my silhouette with sun behind me, but tried a number of wet patterns to no avail. Worked up island on left channel and back around to fish the pool again from another angle. Still nothing. Then having resorted to my once trust bead bodied green spot nymph, success, a bump and a right bend in the rod to produce a grayling of 34cm in excellent condition. Only 5 days to their season starting which will see I on the Warrington WA beat of Alyn interspersed with Worms Wood looking to beat 37cm!
Conor

10th June
Lunchtime trip to sewage works area. There were a load of small and larger fish rising in the pool, mostly boils, and having promised myself I would not be tempted to try the impossible I got sucked in and after ringing through the fly pattern changes, and with only the odd half hearted follow to a water boatman, I was ready to break my rod in frustration and that was it, time up. Aaarrgggh,...will I never learn!

9th June
Lunchtime trip to fish in vicinity of Griffin Bridge.  Water nice and fast here and water-bed changed since my last visit. Much flatter, some of holes filled in.  For no particular reason I decided on an iron blue dun wet pattern fished on a 6 foot tippet sweeping downstream between sub-surface and a foot deep.  Instantly had a violent take but missed it. Further down another few jabs which turned out to be a shoal of small grayling, having soon after hooked and landed one of 20cm.  Then switched fishing method to upstream on shrimp, iron blue dun, and lastly bead head damsel nymph in a deep pool upstream of Griffin Bridge but with no interest at all.  To finish tried the first pool sweeping downstream with iron blue dun and having moved to right under the bridge I hooked a very small trout parr of 11cm, but it was joy to behold, unbelievable amounts of spots of all hues and sizes. Should have taken a photo but its very difficult one handed with such a small one, they wriggle like mad! Most memorably for this trip and one that will remain for a while is the greater spotted woodpecker that alighted on the trees above and moved up and down a few trunks, the first time I have seen one on the Alyn.
Conor

8th June
Fished from 20.30 to 22.00 from Llay Road bridge to Flame Corner. River appeared to be in fairly good order, not too low, a reasonable flow and only slightly coloured. Plenty of fly coming off, mainly sedge and a few spinners with a number of fish seen rising to them. Got 10 fish to rise to my fly but sadly I am out of practice and missed all 10! Two rose to a size 18 Blonde Wolff, four rose to a size 16 Black Wolff and four rose to a size 18 Olive Klinkhammer. Hope to back on the river at least a couple more times this week as I obviously need the practice!!!
Tight Lines,
Simon Wise.

Arrived at Worms Wood at 0930 and fished until 1100hrs, Again no fish were taking from the top so again it was upstream nymphs. Starting in a deep pool 3 fish were caught and released, all Grayling, 2 weighing over 2lb. Others were hooked and self released until the last pool where another Lady came to hand. Still no sign of the browns?

Simon

Lunchtime trip to Llay road bridge section to fish area above Flame corner to straight cut.  Water flowing well and a slight copper hue from the recent rain. Some good fish rising below Llay road bridge but I managed to resist these impossible fish and move upstream to some particular pools I had in mind.  Fish rising here and there on my journey upstream but looking like young uns. Set up a size 12 teal blue and silver to stand out in the colour but no takes. Switched to a water-boatman pattern I had never used before but it didn’t move very naturally in fast water, albeit a brownie of 20cm begged to differ, which leaped about the place.  Switched to a short tippet of 4 feet and fished my now tried and trusted bead head damsel nymph. And it didn’t let me down. Sweeping it deep across a deep pool in which I have never had success I saw a flash of fish turn and raised rod into a lovely brownie of 30cm.  Weather conditions were perfect, very overcast and muggy with promise of rain in the sky, and there was a hatch of what looked to be blue winged olive.
Conor

5th June
Fished from Llay road bridge up to the sewage works. On the way up, a few were rising, and I caught 4 on a dry sedge: all stock fish of about 4oz. Returning in mid-afternoon, however, a few better fish were starting to rise. I spent a long time after one in the bend below the sewage works, and was walking away in despair when I plucked a spinner out of the air; 3 tails - could it be Blue-Winged-Olive? I put on a BWO imitation and went back to try the fish again, catching a lovely wild half-pounder. On the way downstream, I added 3 more: two around 12 oz, and one little one of 6": all beautiful wild trout. Not sure of my fly identification - it's a bit early in the year for BWO - but if it was, there should be some good evening rises soon.
Paul L

Lunchtime trip to fish upstream of Llay road bridge. Worked way upstream casting to rising fish.  Missed several rises to a tan klinkhammer but landed three brownies of 15-17cm. It was nice to fish dry only to rising fish and greatly enjoyed the visit.
Conor

4th June
Lunchtime trip to sewage works. Realised that I had left my waders at home since putting them away at the weekend. Well, given that I was already here, I thought to give it a go in office shoes in any case. Arrived below the sewage works pool which was alive with rising fish, some good ones too. Typical, there was no way on earth I could cover them. Instead, balancing on a stone I cast upstream on dry to the lower reach of the pool concentrating on one rising fish. It would not take any offering of dry, but when I switched to a peter moss fished just below the surface I had a few missed boils on it. Tried fishing the pool below in the bend from the bank with a bead head damsel nymph and saw the flash of fish turn in the depths but missed the take. Glad I visited, it was a challenge but I enjoyed it, and I didn’t fall in or snag the other bank which was definitely on the cards at some point.
Conor

3rd June.
Sonia and I managed 1hr last night on the river at worms wood area. Weather was overcast but warm, the river is very; very low and clear! Fly everywhere including loads of sedge but not one rise! We both fish upstream with weighted nymphs. Sonia managed 2, I caught 5 the largest being 36cm. By the way all fish by both of us were Grayling! Not a sniff of a brown trout. Perhaps our closed season should be when the grayling are breeding instead of the trout? They seem to be the majority fish now in the river. These days when I go to fish I expect to catch a Grayling where I dream of catching a brown! The stockies at the bottom end are easy to catch, they are no fun it’s the overwintered “wild” fish I’m after, but they seem to be in decline.

Simon.

31st May
After a week with no fishing I was itching to get back on the river. The weather was and sunny around mid day, not the best of conditions! Took my 10ft rod and fished upstream nymphs from the railway bridge up to the straight cut. Talked to various other anglers who all agreed that the river was not at it’s best! Also comments about the standard of the “stockies”, all the ones that I have caught would be better in a stream in Chernobyl! They are not the nicest of fish. Anyway after a few hours on the river I managed 9 stockies  and 1 grayling with only one to the dry fly.
Simon.

30th May
Weather brilliant and sunny, slight gusts of wind 1700hrs. Caught a  fat 10" brownie that gave a fantastic fight on the Acacia pool that fell to a size 16 olive cdc emerger pattern. Chased off 3 lads one with a spinning rod and one with a satchel. They went off towards Rossett weir.
Disco5 (Mark Keiller)

29th May
Lunchtime trip to worm’s wood. Fished a pool with a fish rising with a black hair sedge pulled through sub-surface passed a rising fish. The water boiled to an obviously large trout but I struck too quick and missed its turn back towards the water! Later on, I hooked and landed in quick session 2 grayling, one of 32cm and another of 34cm and was well chuffed with that, both fish on a shallow fished orange size 12 shrimp, fished downstream in a quick flow, both takes very vigorous and self hooked.
Conor

27th May
This time I set up my normal rod on a lunchtime trip to worm’s wood. Ironically I found myself in a pool and at an angle in which Tenkara would have been perfect as it was too short to cast, just perfect for a flick of a fly. Had a few pulls later on fishing a bead head damsel nymph but no fish on.
Conor

26th May
Afternoon from Llay road bridge to flame corner. Weather was good. Sun, wind across stream in face and water clear and low. Caught three brownies at 6", 7" and 9" to a size 16 blue upright. This is the first proper session for me after getting help from Simon. I waited at each pool for any signs of rises. Bingo, saw one, then two and a third all on flame corner. Crept into the water and waited. Got my line straight downstream and flicked it to each fish carefully a couple of times each and caught all three. All caught within 8 to 12 feet of me.
Mark K

Took my normal rod and set up for Tenkara for Worms’s wood. I went to a pool in which I recently had huge success and soon had a large fish on a bead head damsel nymph but it threw the hook.  Caught one 20 cm trout on that damsel nymph and nothing else.

25th May
Early evening visit to the stretch above Gresford weir. Warm, sunny, still, river low and clear but some fish rising in shady spots. Started with 'klink and dink' pair of an olive Klinkhamer with a GRHE on point. Two small trout on the GRHE followed by a larger fish on the Klinkhamer in riffled area. Lost the GRHE so put on a cream and brown superpupa in its place. Immediately caught another small brown on the SP and missed a couple. Moved upstream to a spot under some trees with rising fish. Nothing as the flies floated down but the SP was grabbed as I started a slow retrieve (with the SP just under the surface) - another small brown. Three more browns up to about 9 inches then a final move brought another three fish to the SP - two while it floated down, one on the submerged fly on retrieve. Only my second trip since joining - someone must have taken pity on my last blank and stocked with naive fish!
Les J

Arrived at Worms wood area at 13:30 (complete with Wife, Dog & chair !!!) with the intention of walking the right hand bank upstream & the left back down. This was just to check out the full length for potential fish holding areas. Managed to fish out a few pools !! Struggled on the 1st one & had to move when some kids, trying to find a route upstream had to cross where I was fishing (gave me a good excuse to move) Managed 1 Brown 6" which gave me a little confidence, followed by 5 Grayling, best 1lb. Moved higher up to another pool & found a "good"  pod - 1st fish a Brown of 11/4lb followed by 6 Grayling, best 1lb. Moved before I put off the rest !!! Packed up at 16:00 having completed the walk of both banks – very educational!! Total 2 Browns best 11/4lb 11 Grayling best 1lb
Eddie

22nd May
After a discussion on the forum about Tenkara read up more on this method last night and decided I needed a rod with a very soft action. The modern rods I had were no good, an old second hand rod I bought but never used, fibre glass fly rod of 10 foot seemed just right.  Fished in worm’s wood at lunchtime as planned. Just the furled leader and tippet and a damsel nymph. Felt weird without all the paraphernalia. Started by casting upstream (casting is awkward at best and many tangles), but amazingly kept getting takes within 6 feet and frustratingly kept missing them. It’s a totally different approach, with the strike being too quick I reckon, at least for the rod I was using.  Eventually struck at right time to a take but hadn’t realised I was into a big trout until I saw it swim passed and the fly came out after a momentary connection.  Gave up on upstream and tried downstream, again several takes but fish on before I realised it and lost. In slower water was surprised to hook and land a big grayling of 34cm, the fight was amazing on the rod alone.  Worth the effort. My wrist was knackered from all the flicking about with a heavy fibreglass rod and I was mentally exhausted - you spend much more time fishing and concentrating rather than moving and messing about - essentially you slowly cover all the fishable pockets that normally you might ignore for a longer cast to the 'better water'. That’s why this method of fishing produces more takes I reckon. The other thing I noticed is how slow time passed, what normally seemed like 20 minutes was only 5. I kid you not. Will try it again. However, several good fish were rising in the area and I couldn’t cover them with the limited range so it’s not as versatile as I first thought. Maybe with the specialised gear its better but I was glad to have tried it.
Conor

21st May
Decided to fish the island area below Rossett weir at lunchtime, first visit to area this season. Went under road bridge to get in river (awkward at best) and fish back up to the deep water, now being a convert to upstream fishing as first choice. Got closer and closer to the hot zone of the pool but the pool was then spooked by a well meaning member of the public who came down and peered over to have a look and say hello.  Rather than wait I decided to go around the island and fish the pool from above down.  No luck for a while and then on a green gold head damsel type nymph a lovely grayling of 32cm struck deep and came hurtling upstream towards me. This was followed by two smaller ones of 19 and 20cm at which point I had to go.
Conor

20th May
Lunchtime trip to lower worm’s wood. Concentrated on one pool I haven’t fished this season and after about 15 casts upstream and swinging across to the other side parallel to me and gradually making the sweep longer there was a short jink in the line and a nice brownie of 26cm took my favourite all rounder pattern, a thick bodied black fly with a gold bead in middle of body and a green hot spot just behind. Lost my double gold head caseless caddis pattern in my devils pool and it was time to go. Water with a slight bronze tint to it and with a nice flow. Most of luxuriant weed that was growing on bottom for last 2 months is now mostly washed away.
Conor

19th May
Had a go at a new method tonight using my 8ft rod, it’s called "Tenkara". My furled leader with 4ft of tippet to my flies. Starting at Llay bridge then working my way upstream to just above the two bridges, in all I caught 14 brown trout and 1 Grayling in just over 1hr. Which proves that most of us fish to far ahead! 8ft rod 7ft furled leader and 4ft tippet meant that I was fishing no more the 10 around me! Must give it a go with my 10ft rod, will report how I get on. During the fishing I kept the same amount of line out at all times just fighting the fish with the spring of the rod.
Simon.

14th May
Quick lunchtime trip to area upstream of Griffin Road Bridge, fished shrimp and peter moss upstream but no takes.
Conor

13th May
Lunchtime trip back to Worms’s wood. Very dark and cool. Not much activity on surface. In one pool caught 1 salmon smolt and 2 sea trout smolts on upstream fished black Zulu. Seen a few large trout deep down which followed the fly but no interest in taking.
Conor

12th May

I was ahead of Eddie in Worms Wood, arriving at Griffin Bridge at 11am. I was not optimistic of a rise, as it was very bright with a cool breeze, so started with a nymph, soon getting a grayling of 1lb+. A little way upstream however, I came upon 2 rising fish, and for the next 2 hours I found a few rising in almost every pool. I Caught 4 nice wild trout, all 9"-12", lost a couple more, and missed others: as usual I should have done better. The rise ended around 2pm, but in a pool near the op of the beat I found a large shoal of fish, mainly small, that I could see in the clear water. Reverting to a nymph, I caught first a small seatrout smolt, then two good-sized grayling: probably most of the fish were the latter, I suppose. It's interesting that in the Alyn, the grayling don't seem to rise well. On the Dee, I get plenty on dry fly, but on the Alyn I seem to need to use a nymph to get them: probably a consequence of the rich shrimp feeding.

Paul L.

Lunchtime trip to area upstream of Llay road bridge. Picked several deep pools with my double goldhead pattern fished upstream into them but no luck. Conditions bright.

Conor

Arrived at Worms Wood area at 14:30, one other member already fishing at this time. Could not get a rise to dry, even though the river was alive with fly life !! So put on PTN & started catching !! Met up with 2 men from Wrexham council, who were looking at a land slip into the river !!! Fished back down from this area, in one pool I had a very good Grayling take, but failed to land it, after several attempts to reconnect, I changed fly to a pink shrimp & managed several large Grayling from this pool to 11/2lb + Passed another member fishing on the way back (must be a record, it's been a long time since I have seen 2 other member in one visit). Left the river
16:30
Total 4 Browns best 3/4lb
         7 Grayling best 11/2lb+
Eddie

9th May
After a very enjoyable member’s walk and a burger I decided to return to the same pool in worm’s wood, knowing full well that I was going to be disappointed after the highs of yesterday.  Its earlier today at 12.15 but one fish is rising in the same way - slashing at the water. Many clouds of small grey flies balling just over the water.  I try the same all black fly but to no avail and in fact my upstream casts seem to put down the rising fish. Change patterns a few times and try another pool this time fishing downstream but no luck.  Then I come to a nice pool in which I had recent success fishing upstream so I give it a go again. After a time fishing a nymph I notice a shoal of around 5 small grayling a few feet away. I decide on an experiment I haven’t done since I was on a chalk stream last year and to go through a whole range of patterns to see the reactions of the fish when presented. Most are ignored and then I think of my secret pattern. That’s ignored as well so I can reveal it as a beetle larvae imitation - looks like a caseless caddis.  Then I come across a pattern I haven’t used in ages, a double gold head caddis pattern with a turquoise sheen to the body. It is a right pain to cast and it sinks like a stone. Well in it plops and there is instant interest as the fish ball around it and one takes but I don’t strike.  Fascinating to watch all this. With that I start to fish the deep water.  Instantly I am into a fish, which leaps around the pool and which comes to the sand on the other side - a bar of silver, a smolt I presume to be a sea trout rather than salmon but not sure.  Take a photo for website in any case.  I cast a few more times with no luck, then a take deep in the side run a lovely trout of 33cm deep bodied.  Seeing as the shoal of grayling nearby is unconcerned at the commotion and thinking I am stretching my luck I continue to fish the pool, and after another few casts another fish is hooked and landed, another trout of 30cm. Unbelievable.  Well, I am on a run with this pattern so I keep fishing, and another fish is hooked and landed this time a grayling of 31cm.  I then move to a streamy bit upstream of the pool to allow the fly to move in a different way, and another fish is hooked and landed, a brownie of 31cm.  Am I in fishing heaven or hell - a story I recounted today at the BBQ on the man who catches a fish with every cast might consider himself to be in hell. Time to move to a new pool and I decide to pick the worst pool of the lot, snag city, so many snags you would not even get a fly in and out and so have never bothered with it. Photo taken for website before I wade into position nearly drowning myself in the deep current and flick out the fly between two limbs and the fly sinks into the black depths, and a trout is on, about the same healthy size as the others, but in the tight space it comes to the surface and throws the hook.   Damn. Another few flicks to no avail, but then a grayling of 29cm.  This short fishing trip of one hour just can’t get any better, but time is running out. Another few casts reveal no more takers and so I decide on a return to the other pool for one last cast. 5 casts later and I am persevering for just one more fish. And my wish is granted, another brownie of 29cm. Wow, what a trip, and my leader and tippet is in tatters from the over weighted fly, but I know in heart of hearts that the next trip will be a blank or with ripped waders or some other calamity and so it should be because fishing is not meant to be this consistent for above average fish otherwise there is no point to it.
Conor

 

 

8th  May
Lunchtime trip to worm’s wood top beat.  Came to a nice big pool with several fish rising and started tackling up excitedly, the pool was alive with fish  boiling in the water all around, sometimes with a slash in the water - a big hatch was on?  As I hurriedly fumbled with rod eyes and leaders a dipper landed on a stone nearby dipping up and down as they do. Lovely, first one I’ve seen on river this season in fact. I hear a mighty splash in the pool and look up from my tangle as a heron takes off unseen, the beggar, the pool will be dead now. But no, a few minutes later as I approach it is still alive with fish rising.  20 minutes later and having exhausted most sizes of dry flies I am in a quandary as to what exactly they are rising at. Clouds of flies are balling above the water but none in it. Probably should try a nymph or buzzer but as a last chance saloon on dry I try a daddy long legs. No luck after first few casts and as its starts to get waterlogged pull it towards me and a fish is on! Land a 30cm trout and am well chuffed. Fish continue to rise in the pool. Buoyed with confidence to fish upstream sub-surface I put on all black deer hair sedge. Cast this out to the far edge of pool about 15m away and it causes a wake as I draw it back, a fish boils on it but I miss. Next cast I am in and a heavier fish is on, and a mighty fight later the brown trout of around 1.5 lb is just in my sights to land and he throws the hook and rests just in front of me before scooting back to the depths.  And still there is a fish rising. So out I cast again, and another fish is on, this time a 32cm trout.  My lunchtime is now overdue and probably just as well as the excitement is almost uncontrollable. What an afternoon but still no clue what they were actually feeding on!
Conor

6th May
I decided to try a different method today! I parked at the sewage works at 1700, fished upstream spiders to September Cottage, hoping not to encourage the Grayling. Two other anglers were fishing the sewage field one parked across the farmer’s gate at the bottom, not a clever idea!! Although there were swarms of fly both in the air and hatching from the river not one rising fish was seen! As with fishing the dry fly it’s best to see and cast to the rising fish, so it was a case of flogging as much of the river as I could and it was flogging, it was hard and not very enjoyable! The river was dead! Not a nibble from a brown, the only fish caught was yet again a large Grayling of 34cm that took my Snipe & Purple! Maybe chub would be good in the river as they also take the fly and may prove as much enjoyment as the Grayling as the trout seem to be sulking and on strike! We know there are trout in the river but not a huge number I think.
Simon.

6th May
Lunchtime trip in wind and rain to area above Gresford weir. Lots and lots of hawthorn’s and midges in vast clouds around bushes. Note several turns of fish in fast streamy sections so load up a bibio on point and snipe and purple spider on dropper to concentrate on these sections of the river. Missed two takes, one from a decent fish which showed its long yellow belly, and landed one tiddler of 15cm. Water still clear and lowish but running faster.
Conor

4th April
Sonia dropped me off at Worms Wood so that I could fish down to her, she was going to fish the sewage field area. First as usual no fish were rising, plenty of fly on the wing and surface! But no interest. Fished upstream while working my way down stream, Before reaching September Cottage I caught 2 large grayling and 2 browns, one being either a natural born Alyn fish of 3in or one of last years stockies? My fishing was terminated by Sonia radioing that her hands were frozen after catching her large Grayling, one more cast and another brown. Back to the car and home to the new summer house and my new fly tying location.

Simon

3rd May
Arrived at the mid section of the river at 0800hrs, Sonia still fast asleep at home! Quite cool with a downstream breeze. Not expecting anything to be rising I used my normal upstream setup. Working my way upstream through many good fishy looking pools, nothing! Anyway the kingfishers are having better luck than me, they must have young in the nest, I sat for many minutes watching the adults taking fish in. Eventually I arrived at one of my favourite pools, many would fish this pool through with 5 or 6 casts, I have learnt to keep casting, again and again! About 30 – 40 casts the first take, a fine Grayling 30cm+. I’ve noticed that Grayling seem to go into a feeding frenzy after the first take. Every other cast provide me with another 30cm+ Grayling, the 4th fish weigh in at 2.5lb! The 5th threw the hook before it came to hand, this one felt the largest, all the fish from the same pool. Talking to Howard later he seem surprised that the river would hold a 2.5lb fish, I calibrated my weigh net on my return home to be sure, maybe be an once either way. Roll on the first 3lb Grayling.
Simon.

1st May
May already and a lunchtime trip to area between sewage works and Gresford weir. No luck on single bloodworm or the secret weapon. Fished either upstream or downstream of alternative pools. No decent fish rising but fishing conditions perfect again and lots of unidentified large up winged flies coming off. With all the bottom feeding the fish must be packing on weight - expect some big fish on dry later in season when the bottom pickings become less easy for them.
Conor

30th April
Dead excited to go fishing today. Went upstream from Llay Road Bridge to fish with a secret weapon pattern. This secret pattern was revealed during the invertebrate sampling session I did yesterday evening with Steve and Eddie - we sample Gresford weir as usual - but a certain invertebrate was found in huge numbers and was unexpected, and they looked just like an unused imitation I had in my fishing wallet, so here I was on the river with the secret weapon and every cast was made in excited expectation of a pull. 40 minutes and no pull my expectations became rather lower and off I trudged to the car rather despondent!
Conor

29th April
Lunchtime trip to an area upstream of Llay Road Bridge. Tried for one rising fish on a number of patterns eventually getting a rise to a Hawthorne fly but didn’t connect. No other interest on wets for remainder of my time out.
Conor

28th April
Lunchtime trip to Griffin bridge area. After two nights of heavy showers of rain was surprised to find the river clear – albeit with a higher level of water and pace – lovely! Started with downstream team of bibio and nymph to no avail so went upstream to fish a weighted bloodworm pattern by ‘plopping’ it into a few deep pools for a reaction.  First cast in the first pool and a fish struck hard coming up from the depths and then with one deep plunge back and bending the rod severely (and me trying to react quick enough to allow it some leeway before something snapped) it then shuttled back up with the up-current and leaped clear of the pool and onto my (thankfully) side of the bank! I have read about this happening with sea trout at night but its never happened to me with a fish of any type or time of day or night! It was a plump and beautifully conditioned and richly spotted brownie of 30cm which was photographed and returned wriggling like mad having had all its fight left intact. Maybe the fish are getting wise to all this voluntary catch and releasing by members - better to jump straight out with no fuss and the quicker I get back to my watery home…
Conor

26th April
When the wife is in Cyprus and the boy is on a scout march what can a man do to pass a few hours? Ahh, is that the river calling. Arrived at 12noon left at 3pm, dry, sunny and a fresh breeze. Fished from the bottom of the sewage field to past the sewage pool. 5 fish in all, 3 to a GHPTN and three to a mix of F Fly and Klinkhamer, also tried the Klink and Dink approach but that did not work. Only a week to Bank Holiday Monday yippeee!
Kevin

24th April
Lunchtime trip to Griffin bridge fished downstream to the old bridge on downstream fished wets and back upstream on upstream fished shrimp. No takes. In one pool there was a nice fish rising so changed to dry fly set up and a 10 foot leader to cope with the low water. Put on smallest dry fly possible, and work out to the fish. It rises again, wait, another cast, a rise and i strike...too quick as the fish is still turning and with a nice big boil is gone. No luck after that.
Conor

23rd April
Arrived at the Llay road bridge 16:15 & found the EA sampling team just leaving !! They had a good result on insects from their dip, with shrimp in very good number, but also Baetis, mayfly & caseless caddis. I fished upstream as far as the pool above the island, catching two small browns on PTN. No fish rising, with the river very low & cloudy? When I got to this point, looking back to the Llay Bridge I observed a truck with 3 male’s park up & look at the river ?? I walked back & again observed them downstream at the footbridge, acting suspiciously. At this point I decided to ignore the standard advice & confront them. One had moved down past the houses, but the other two were still by the bridge trying to hide with their bodies, collapsible spinning rods. As I approached, they collapsed them & tried to conceal them. I pointed out that they were poaching (pointless beating about the bush) & asked them to leave the area. They did ask if they could get permission to fish ??? These were not "continentals", but "local" people. They were polite & did agree to move - for information the truck registration is VK55 UXM. Following this I moved up to the Sewage Farm, fishing 1st upstream, then
down as far as the end of the field, again no rising fish & no takes. As I came out of the river, there was a strange chap sitting 10' from me with a large shotgun !!! Billy! - Commando training or what!!! Past some time with him before leaving at 19:15 - Just as we were passing the sewage pool the 1st fish rose !!! Typical.
Eddie

Lunchtime trip to a few pools between sewage works and greford weir. Walked past the sewage pool carefully and there was not a single fish there, reckon fish have all scarpered into deep oxygenated pools. Tried two such pools but with no luck.
Conor

22nd April
Sonia and I arrived at the river at 1700, sand martins and loads of fly life everywhere! The river is very low; slow and very clear. Sonia fished from the bottom of the straight cut up to the sewage works, but no bites. I fished upstream of her, with no fish rising it was again my usual set up for upstream nymphing. No pools were producing much interest, a few nibbles but on takes. Then one of my favourite pools, within 5ft I had caught 4 Grayling the smallest being 30cm, it was like shelling peas from a pod, yes I know it’s the closed season for Grayling, but they must have small brains! They must think they are trout. At the top end of the pool with my set up dragging in the current, not fishing! A Brown grabbed my wet fly, they all count!
Simon & Sonia

Very quick dip at lunchtime around flame corner area, a few tentative casts produced little and hooked and lost a small trout that snatched at a surface dragged size 14 bibio. Water far too slow and low for my liking on this section.
Conor

21 April
Lunchtime trip to Upper Worms Wood. Not much rising so experimented in one deep bubbling and gurgling pool with an upstream fished size 14 bibio with one of Simon’s furled leaders. After a few casts and the fly working deep back towards me there was a little twitch then nothing. Next cast another twitch turned into a drag and raised rod into it and a lovely 30cm grayling in full colour came racing towards me from the depths in full sunlight through the water it was a lovely sight.
Conor

17th April
Lunchtime visit to Llay road bridge with Simon. Water pretty clear, some rain and very little wind, couple of fish rising here and there with lots of LDO coming off water in places. Simon pointed out fish rising for me. Covered one with a size 16 parachute LDO between Flame corner and straight cut. Large brownie (my largest one to date), great fight. Good 12", around 1.5 pound. I was grinning ear to ear. Finished  session late afternoon after missing a couple of rises in glorious sunshine.

Mark K (disco5tu)

Lunchtime trip to upper Worms Wood. Two fish were slashing at the water in a pool.  These looked in profile like big fish. On the third change of fly there was a big movement about a foot from my fly, only realising that fact when i struck and saw the fly move off the water a foot away from the rise! There were no more rises after that! Wary fish!  Switched to wets for another pool and hooked and landed a 26cm brownie in a slack bit of water that required lots of movement of the fly - a size 14 bibio. That evening, reading an American book it said that (American) grayling sometimes slash at the water next to a fly on the surface and then turn to sip it down. Perhaps that was what those fish were up to. Either that or it was one very big trout cruising the whole pool for LDOs in surface with rises 20 feet apart.
Conor

16th April
After a spell of blank visits decided it was time to return at lunchtime to the very top of the beat in Worms Wood for the first time this season.  After one wrong turn enroute found the right lane and parked up at end of the cul de sac. Wood has been cleared in this area and much more light on the river. Water clear again and this section has widened out with some lovely pools and runs leading into the canalised section.  Started on dry upstream and soon a fish rose and took the tan klinkhammer, but after a short fight it got off before i could see it - but presumed a trout.  No more rises in pool so i switched to downstream wets in another pool - and after a number of changes in fly hooked and landed a grayling of 29cm on a beatis nymph. I was happy to be catching fish again but the real joy was the absolute peace that upper Worms Wood gives you, with no people no cars in distance only the flow of the water and the bird song. What a great way to spend a lunch break.

Conor

15th April
Lunchtime visit upstream of Gresford weir. River smelling badly and slate grey water, as a result of run-off from the heavy showers of rain in the morning perhaps. Water level slightly up but with much faster pace.  Another blank visit though

Conor

14th April
After a lovely Easter break, albeit without any fishing, I returned for a lunchtime visit to brush off some cobwebs on the rod.  Rather than my usual guerrilla fishing tactics of a few casts and move on I decided on a siege of one pool in the straight cut.  Lots of changes in fly and different water heights, drifts and retrieves to no avail, by are the fish playing hard in recent weeks, at least to my tactics. A good hatch of LDOs was on, and a few other up winged species as well, but they seemed safe enough from the fish below!  Tried a few quick casts on dry as I walked back to the car but no joy.
Conor

9th April
Another lunchtime visit, this time to Griffin Road Bridge. Covered one rising fish under the bridge but couldn’t get it. Fishing upstream and downstream of the bridge within about 50m but not so much as a take on a variety of wets.  Looks like I will have to get out the fast sink tip and the armour plated shrimps for my next outing - they're feeding deep!

Conor

8th April
Frustrating lunchtime trip to area above and below sewage works area, tried a whole range of traditional and modern fly patterns to no avail, not even a missed take but I was very successful in locating the luxuriant weed growth. You cannot walk in the river for the amount of weed in it. Still, it’s teeming with life and that’s good for our fish, and in time the rains will clear much of it back.  Not one fish rising, but the air was quite cool, probably cooler than the water which was 11 C.  Big fish with a white patch on its head or back seen in the sewage works pool as I walked by. 

Conor

Water clear and flowing well. Downstream wind and sporadic cloud cover and bright sunshine. Lovely day on the river caught a salmon parr just up from Flame Corner on a size 16 snipe and purple spider thrown upstream, Czech nymph style.

Mark K (disco5tu)

7 April
After almost a week abroad it was with almost uncontained excitement that I ventured to the river at lunchtime, focusing on an area above Gresford weir.  Fished downstream and across in some turbulent water on a single black spider and soon hooked a 25 cm beautifully spotted and very dark brownie.  Then tried some upstream dry fishing on tan klinkhammer but to no avail and no fish seen rising either.  Then tried a weighted GRHE but the weeds made fishing difficult. The luxuriant weed growth is amazing, and there was plenty of LDOs hatching off the really dense areas.  Went to area below gresford weir and tried some upstream fishing on dry daddy long legs to a rising fish and it rose and i hooked and then lost it, an average sized one i felt.  Then tried downstream wet daddy long legs and had a good take in a deep eddy, but missed due to slack line.  And that was it for another day. Conditions a bright and windy, with the odd shower of rain. Lovely to be back on the river again.
Conor.

5th April
Sunday the 5th April, Sunny 12 degrees C, So far this year family and work have kept me from the river, so today was a welcome resumption and what a lovely day it was. Firstly I must mention the obvious and extensive work that has been carried out by the Sunday working party, the river in general is fine form and the new and interesting features that have been added since last season work well. I only had two hours so decided to start at the southerly end of the straight cut and work my way up stream to the sewage works, I decided that I would fish a single size 18 GHPTN and hooked 4 small Brownies to 6ins before reaching the big bend in the Sewage field. Seeing that the was a number of fish rising to feed of the back eddy water I switched to a size 18 Loopwing CDC Dry tied during the winter months, second cast and a beautiful 8 in Brownie came to the net followed by another of at least 7 ins.

Best regards,
Kevin

4th April
Another visit to Worms wood with the objective of further exploration up river ( Sorry that sounds a bit like Stanley looking for Dr Livingston.)  Parked up by the Horse field about 9:30 and made my way down to the river to cross to the left bank alongside the bypass. The woods were full of wild garlic and with the sun shining through the trees it would be idyllic if not for the roar of traffic above my head coming from the dual carriageway. Making my way along the bank I came across an obstacle in the form of a huge fallen tree that virtually blocked the way. The two alternatives were to either wade around it which was not a problem as I use chest waders or climb over it. I chose the later option as I didn’t want to scare any potential fish as I wanted to fish the deep hole there a bit later. After negotiating the tree I eventually got up as far as the square concrete blocks in the river. I felt that that was enough exploration (oops there I go again) so decided to start fishing. Working downstream I was rewarded with loads of tangles and underwater snags that made a right mess of my tackle. Eventually I got back to the fallen tree and climbed back over and set about fishing the deep pool. Initial set up was GRHE but due to the sort stretch of water available to cast into and the fast flow the fly was not getting deep enough before requiring re casting. As I had lost my Gold heads in the snags further upstream I was snookered as I could not get the fly deep enough. Then a brainwave I remembered that somewhere in my tackle bag I had some non toxic tungsten split shot that I used in the far off days when I was guilty of drowning worms when fishing. Quick root around and yes a small container with just one shot in it. Pinched the shot on the line about 3 inches from the hook and back into the cast. Just the job as it took the hook down to the bottom with an immediate result with a hard tug on the line and a lovely hard fighting Grayling into the net. Quick snap on the mobile camera ( picture supplied ) and returned to the pool. Stayed at the spot for another 30 minutes or so with another 2 grayling and possibly the smallest brownie I have ever seen all falling to the GHRE. I new it could not last as eventually I hooked the bottom and lost hook shot and tippet Decided to call it a day and left around 13:30. Lovely day, lovely weather and great location. Looking forward to the next one
Regards
Gary    

3rd April
Sonia dropped me off at the sewage works with the intention of me fishing up to Worms’s wood and meeting her there. There was a fish rising in a back eddy at the eroded corner in the Sewage field. With the flow of the river dragging the fly it left little time for the presentation to the fish. I had to throw a slack line cast which dropped the fly in the correct place for a few seconds, after a few tries the fish smashed my LDO. An over wintered brown weighing ¾ lb. This was the only fish I saw rising tonight so as I reached the field below September cottage I changed to fishing my upstream nymphs. Two good size Grayling were caught by the time I met Sonia around 1800hrs under the Griffin bridge.

Simon.

Having dropped Simon off, I headed off to Worms Wood for a little peace as this was only my second time on the river due to circumstances. I just wanted to get onto the river and enjoy being outside with nothing to think about apart from my fishing. Having got into the river at the bottom of the horse field I set about fishing; suddenly my GRHE darted off and I had a reasonable fish on the other end of my line trying to get me into all sorts of trouble heading for obstacles then dashing towards me. There was and a fair bend in my rod and the fish came to hand, was measured and quickly released, it was a dark coloured trout of 14ins which headed for home as soon as I let go. Further up another smaller trout was caught as well as the usual snags and weed on the rocks. The horse scared the heck out of me as it clambered into the river for a drink while I was in a world of my own and not expecting the noise and movement. My usual runs didn’t produce more than a few missed takes but I was happy with my time on the river even if I was feeling shattered.
Sonia.

2nd April
Arrived at the gateway to Worms wood at Llay Bridge and as there was already someone else parked on the other side of the entrance I made sure there was ample room for any vehicle to enter or exit the field (my Brother in Law is a farmer and he does his nut if he finds his way onto his land blocked by irresponsible parkers).
I made my way down to the river and rather than just start fishing straight away decided to walk the bank and have a look at the water first as I have only fished a small stretch of Worms’s wood before. Accompanied by the resident horse in the field I walked up the right hand bank to the Wood itself. As I was concentrating on the water I was surprised to see a puff of smoke from the opposite bank and realised that someone else was already there. It turned out to be Billy who was puffing away contentedly on his pipe while having a rest.
I made my way back down the field and started to fish just below the large blocks in the river working upstream weighted gold heads with an indicator set at about 3 ft. By now Billy had made his way downstream to where I was and we stopped for a chat about general fishy matters. He commentated that there appeared to be a fair number of hatches on the water and that as he preferred dries this was a good sign. After he left I carried on upstream with no luck except for one really hard tug that I was slow to strike into. Eventually I reached the large pool below the A483 lay-by and decided to switch tactics so off with the gold heads and on with two GHRE and fishing downstream rather than up. First cast across the river and Bang I was into something. Initially my thought was it's a Grayling, but no, with a leap that would have won a silver medal in the Olympics I was into a Brownie. He got into the fast water and off he went down stream with me trying to untangle my net, keep my footing on the mossy rocks and reel in him at the same time. Eventually I got downstream of him and eased him into the net. A Cracker at least 1.75 lbs and in excellent condition. Quick picture on the mobile for posterity and back in he went to live to fight another day. (Once I work out how to get the photo off my phone I will submit it to the site)
This was the best fish I have managed in the two years in the club so I was well chuffed. The rest of the day? 2 smaller Brownies again both in lovely condition. Good signs that the river is also in good condition. Looking forward to the next visit 
HAPPY DAYS!!

Gary Goodwin.

1st April
Escaped London last night before G20 starts. Arrived at the river at Llay Bridge around 1100hrs. For the first time this season I changed my tactics and replaced my upstream furled leader for my dry fly set up, to this I added a 9ft tippet with a size 18 Griffiths gnat on the point. Started fishing up stream from the footbridge, after 20 min I arrived under Llay bridge having caught 4 browns and 1 grayling the largest being 1lb. Started fishing up form Llay bridge, missing a few then hooked into another about 3/4lb. Than I met Billy who had been there form 8am, he was about to leave after losing his fly. Had a chat for ten mins then he told me to try a run with three fish rising. I changed my fly to my own pattern of a LDO, covered the fish one at a time starting at the nearest, First fish was 39cm and weighed 1.5lb, second a bit smaller third a bit smaller again. Billy and I agreed the fish were in stunning condition for this time of the season. Billy left and I carried on fishing up to the two bridges. Three more fish were caught. At last the fish are coming to the top! For the first few weeks of the season you could have the view that there were few browns in the river, rubbish! There are plenty to go around. The river is low and very slow so watch out from the pressure waves you make as you wade upstream. Work tomorrow but I am already planning my next trip.

Simon.

30 March Sunday afternoon

Lunchtime trip to area upstream of Llay Road Bridge. Water very low. Indeed the flow through the mill at work downstream has stopped. Tried for some of the fish rising at midge or nymphs in the Acacia pool, using a black midge pattern. There was no interest so swapped to a tiny Peter Ross wet pattern for no particular reason and fished back to the bridge. Nothing in the turbulent water but on a slack stretch there was a boil as the fly moved just sub-surface and not feeling any connection rose the rod by instinct of a rise to a dry fly in any case. And I was in. A lively brownie of 26cm jumped around all over the place and was very hard to keep underwater at all before eventually getting it to hand and back to freedom!  As I fished further down I was getting several similar boils, some a second or two after it landing, but kept missing.  Were they taking the little fly for a wounded fry, or perhaps a drowned fly?  Who knows but it kept me busy missing takes until I had to return to the car.
Conor

What a cracking spring day. I arrived at Rossett bridge at 3 00 and began working up river. The river was low and clear and very cold with very little fly life so I opted for a weighted shrimp casting up stream. It was when I reached flame corner fishing tight to the far bank did I manage 2 trout 8-10 in. and that was it. I fished as far as the straight cut and back. Met 2 other rods which makes a change, I’m usually on my own. An enjoyable few hours. I think next time ill venture up to Worms Wood.

Regards Phil Lock.

28 March 2009

I’ve made an error at this early stage of the season, Sonia and I have now just taken on a veg garden. How are we going to fit this in with the fishing? Anyway, I managed to get to the river today around 1600hrs, with the forecast I didn’t hold out for a good time. Walked down to the river at Worm’s Wood and found that it looked really good. Water clear and low, the temp was only indicating 8c in the car. Little fly life was visible so as usual I stuck with my usual method of to weighted flies fished upstream and my hi vis furled leader. I worked my way through various pools picking up Grayling in most all around 30cm, as I was not targeting them I had no tape measure with me. The sun came out to reveal a carpet of wild flowers in Worm’s Wood, Just in time to greet British Summer Time. I decided to try one last pool in the wood that up till now had proved UN productive, casting way upstream into the flow, watching for any twitch in my leader, the leader stopped, but nothing there. Try again; this time as I lifted the rod bent nearly in half with a very large Grayling kiting in the deep clear water to the side of me, I am always in awe of these beautiful fish with their stunning sail fin. After landing the fish I measured it against my rod to check the size at home. It turned out to be 38cm. A lesson learnt, never believe the weather forecast, stick your finger in the air and go for it!

Simon.

Got to flame corner just after 9 this morning. Cold and blustery. Waded upstream for an hour and half with a deer hair sedgebeing chucked into any likely fish hides. No takers anywhere today... Went home to defrost. Think someone had been here before me as a fresh footprint from a wader was in the mud on the bank. Might try tomorrow.

27 March
Lunchtime trip to sewage works area. Having repaired my fly line with a replacement ultra fast sink braided leader (commercial not one of Simon's) I try a sea-trout fly downstream of the sewage works to give it a go fishing really deep. Well the braided leader sinks like a stone and casts like one too, didn’t like it a bit, and with glances back to the sewage pool I saw a really good trout rising in the near shallows so am convinced to change back to my trusty cottage industry Simon's braided leader and my Klink hammer. The wind was a killer and it took several aborted casts and resulting tangles to even get the fly on the pool. However, on the second successful cast the fish took and there was that much slack caused by the low drop of the fly that the fish was gone by the time of strike impact. Fished the rest of the pool to no avail and the next above but at least lost no flies or broken lines!

Conor

25 March
Lunchtime trip sewage works area. Gale force gusts of wind and scattered sunshine as I found myself below the Gresford weir.  Took me 10 minutes to tackle up in the wind, kept losing the line through the rungs as the loose line snagged in brambles tugged here and there by the wind. Noticed several rises in a pool and assumed they were to terrestrials blown onto river, but with a hopper tied on and on entering water to thigh depth my angle of view was changed and presented with a literal flotilla of LDO’s coming over the pool, trapped in the surface film due to the wind and easy takings for trout. Swap over to my trusty size 12 tan Klink hammer and cast out a few times and no luck, then a fast take  and a feisty brownie of 22cm was duly returned. Started to mess about with hoppers and bigger bugs in any case to see if I can tempt a big un and end up snagging in a tree due to the horrendous wind. Being lazy decide to pull the line straight off to break the tippet and retrieve the fly later, but succeeded in tearing out the braided loop of the main line in which case I have to call it a day.

Conor

24 March
Lunchtime trip to sewage works area. Breezy and sunny, with a slight nip in the air. Hastily walked upstream beyond the weir to the straight stretch, stopping briefly along the way at vantage points for spotting any rises.  Big hatch of LDOs coming off the straight stretch, and some new deep riffles and slack water at tail end compared to last season. But no rises so went to top end where river swings off to right and started fishing dry upstream to begin along the deep run. I was experimenting with NZ style having a tiny PTN hanging off the hook bend of my klinkhammer. Well, in the blustery wind this made for a nightmare in casting and I didn’t detect any takes. However, the klinkhammer did sit down in the water marvellously looking, at least from my vantage point, underwater looking up might be different! Reverted to 'dry only' after a time, and having dropped back downstream spotted a really good fish visibly scooping up LDO duns as they sailed by, just pointing his nose up and turning slightly to reveal a long body.  Tried with a number of dries to no avail and eventually spooked this handsome fish which was under a well protected lie from above (aren’t they always!).  Further downstream reverted to a tried and trusted gold head nymph. On only my second cast across and down the current I got a little nudge and a fish was on....no, a fish was really on as the rod bent into a heavy fish and the yellow belly of a trout turned in the water, splashed at the surface briefly as I lost control and was gone! How frustrating. Still, its amazing to be encountering such good fish, it was never like this in my last 2 seasons, am I getting better, or are there bigger trout now, who knows, but its great fun!

Conor

22 March
River tea stained with some soap suds on the surface by flame corner. Saw no-one during the 1300 - 1600 session. Caught 6" brownie on flame corner using size 16 deer hair emerger. Strong wind across stream made casting awkward. Great afternoon though.

Mark (disco5tu

Saturday 21 March
Fished from 11-00 until 14-00 between Llay Road Bridge and Two Bridges. Lots of insect life but only saw one rise and that was at Acacia Pool. Covered it with a Kite's Imperial and caught an 8" smolt.

Regards, Paul H

19th March
New member and first time on the river so a lot to learn! Fished from the sewage pool up to Gresford weir. The river was low and clear with very few fish showing due to the bright sunlight. Nothing doing to either wet or dry flies until I got downstream of the weir (observing the 30 metre limit). Several fish rising sporadically so tried a tan Klinkhamer which produced one half hearted rise but no fish. Changed to a superpupa (John Roberts tying) and immediately had several rises, but again no fish - either I'm getting old and slow or these fish are super fast. Hope to try again when the weather gets less bright.

Les J=

18th March
Lunchtime trip to area upstream Llay Road Bridge. Very bright and water looking lovely and clear - for first time that I can remember I actually could see bottoms of the deepest 7 foot deep pools and the rocks and weed in them from the bank.  Fished dry in a few pools almost at straight cut and no luck. Lovely to be out again in shirt sleeves but probably too bright with water too clear for my presentation attempts of dry fly!
Returned to river after work - same planning mode as before, a trip to the chipper in Gresford followed by stuffing my face and then a quick spot of fishing on a full belly.  With last of the chip bap consumed I arrived at the sewage pool, my dry fly  and tippet stinking of chip fat and vinegar no doubt. Again felt cooler at the river than at the car.  No wind. No rises, except for what appeared to be a very small one which I left be.  Slowly worked my way up to the scene of my success last week, excitedly casting with expectation of my fly being grabbed with vigour by monsters below, but nothing happened.  Fished a little bit upstream of there on dry as well but no joy. Called it a day at 6.15pm as had a meeting to get to. Two lovely views of kingfisher as I fished. We should probably do a BTO bird river survey report for our beat given we have dippers and kingfisher. Water temp 10 C.

Conor.

16 March
Lunchtime trip to Griffin Road bridge. Lovely warm spring afternoon. Started on a red shrimp and missed a good take. Switched to tan klinkhammer and soon hooked a little brownie of 20cm. Took mobile photo as it came to the bank.  Kept fishing upstream to worms wood, and another brownie of 19cm took the dry fly. Saw the fish move up from the riverbed to take the fly, love it when you see that happen.   Last was an attempt at upstream shrimp on my devil pool in worms wood. No flies lost, but no fish caught! Water temp today was 9 C. On way back to car took mobile photo of the first butterfly seen this year - a Comma. First day fishing without a fleece or coat

Conor

Arrived at river at 9am and set up with a two nymph rig on a short intermediate braided leader. Fishing upstream into worms wood I had 1 trout from a far bank run which put up a spirited defence – ensuring that any other fish in residence were well and truly spooked. Carried on upstream and caught three grayling all around 26cm, like peas in pod, from the same swim. Tried back down below the bridge and managed another grayling. All fish were caught on goldhead nymphs on the point. Finished around 12.30pm after a fruitless wander down towards the sewage works. Enjoyable morning.

Scott 

15th March
River looked good, sunny weather, flies hatching. Matthew used gold headed PTN then GRHE then shrimp; Jeff used gold headed GRHE with red tag and bloody butcher. Had two hours 11-1pm. Fishless and we didn’t see any fish either but wonderful to be on the river again
Regards

Jeff 

Once again many thanks for your time and help last week at worm’s wood. Well it paid off!! Shortly after you left I caught a small grayling (about 4") then hooked another about a 1lb !1 since then I have been back and fished the really deep pool near the motorway bridge and straight away caught another big grayling probably bigger than a 1lb. With your advice I now have a better idea of how to read this river many thanks.
 I tied a couple of different flies which were hot spot Gammarus (red seal fur subs) in the middle of a Czech nymph hook and these are what I caught on, basically as soon as the hook went in the water!!!. I look forward to meeting up with you again and maybe getting hold of some hooks and tungsten beads.

Mike W.

13th March
1230 Llay Road Bridge caught my first ever grayling, 5" long on a little fuzzy dry thing. Little bit of wind downstream and sporadic light rain. Water was slightly brown and really, really cold since loads of it was in my left wader. Gave up on just fishing little black spiders. I think I need to sort a load of smaller flies as fish seem to like them more. I never did get that fish you pointed to Simon... must be something to do with me constantly crashing my fly line on top of it.

Mark (disco5tu)

Arrived at Worm wood area around 1430hrs, left Sonia to fish up from the Griffin Bridge (see Sonia’s report). I walked down to the bottom of September cottage field. LDO’s were still popping off but no fish were taking them! Carried on fishing upstream GRHE and hooked into a 33cm Grayling. Then the phone rang, work wanting a contact number for a London job, guess what the number was at home. I called Sonia on the radio to say I had to return home. I was told not to bother her as she was having a good time. So I arranged to pick her up at the Sewage works on my return.
Fast forward 50mins and I’m back at the sewage works, a quick call on the radio to find Sonia still miles away. So I made my way back to the river. I won’t say where but I was fishing from the wrong side for me upstream GRHE again, bang the line stopped and I landed a brown weighing in at 1lb. Carried on fishing the same run, 4 or 5 casts later, this time the line did not stop, instead it shot upstream at a great rate of knots! Oh boy now I had my hands full! There was no way at the start of the fight to control whatever I had hooked. The fish was all over the place, still I had not seen what is was. After nearly 5min it came to the surface, it was a very large brown. Getting it to the surface was the least of my problems getting it into my small net was interesting! The fish weighed in at 2.5lbs and measured just over 40cm. Just my luck this was the first time that I forgot my camera! I called Sonia on the radio for her to see the fish. I kept it in the landing net to recover until Sonia arrived to see it. It was a stunning fish for our river; I hope someone else has the privilege to hook it some other time this season! A very, very happy Simon!!!!!

Simon.

Leaving home the heavens opened, but as I have been unable to get near the river due to nursing a very sick beardie back to health I just wanted to escape and get away from the house for a few hours.     
I wanted to go to Worms Wood as it seemed the most likely place to be by myself and enjoy the river in solitude. The rain had stopped, the river was looking wonderful and there wasn’t another soul to be seen- perfect!! The first run seemed a good place to start but with my GRHE getting stuck on every snag I decided to move upstream and rest the pool. Simon kept calling on the radio for a progress report, so much for solitude. I said I would call him when I caught a fish as he seemed to always call at the wrong time, ruining my concentration and peace.  Another run and again I was hitting the snags then I missed a take before getting caught on a large underwater branch. Retrieved my flies, changed to two GRHE of differing colour and continued fishing. I had a rest and a drink while watching wagtails, then dippers flew past followed by a kingfisher as I was about to start fishing in another promising looking run. After three casts I was into a stunningly coloured grayling of only 22cms, but as this was the bottom of my run I had a smile on my face as they were only going to get bigger. Another cast and I was onto a grayling of 24cms, followed by a 26cm grayling, yes they were getting bigger. Simon received a call from work so he called saying we would have to go home. I was having a ball, and in the process of trying to land my fourth grayling as I received the call; so I said he could collect me later. Simon said he would meet me further downstream at the sewage works as I was trying to control my fish, and as a twit I had just agreed so I could concentrate on what I was doing. Having measured the 31cm grayling it suddenly dawned on me that I was in for a long walk and Simon was out of radio contact.
My run yielded a total of six wonderful grayling with the biggest being 34.5cms, the last three fought like only grayling do using the current to their advantage and making me work to get them under control and into the net. Simon called to find where I was expecting me to me heading towards the sewage works; he was about to start fishing. But as there were grayling still in the run it seemed rude to leave them there without making an effort to catch them, so I had just left the horse field.
I had a drink before starting my enforced march knowing that fishing was over for the day. The stiles were a god send making life easier than it would have been without them. As I walked over the Farmers Bridge in into the field I was feeling tired, as I was expecting to fish I was dressed for standing in the river, I was not expecting to go on a hike in my wading gear. I decided to have a break and fish a pool which would also cool me off a little. Simon kept annoying with radio calls this time he was into a large fish. I suggested he play the fish and stop calling me as I was shattered, sweaty and not in the mood for a conversation. So much for cooling off!! He landed the fish and wanted me to see it as he forgot the camera, no pressure then, I shall step up the pace get there as soon as and die later. See the fish, hear the tale of capture, see it released and go home. It was amazing being back on the river and if it wasn’t for army training it would have been revitalizing after an extremely stressful week. I was going home a very happy fisherman having enjoyed both the fishing and the birdlife.

Sonia.

12th March
Arrived at 16:00, bit windy & fished the worm’s wood area. Only managed two fish, both Grayling to a shrimp pattern. Very similar size 32cm & 33cm, still having problems with tape, rod, camera & fish, at least one of these does not co-operate!! Moved to the lower end (my little island) below the Rossett weir, but only managed one (the only offer) small brown (4oz), packed up at 18:00.  Pic to follow, when I next download camera.

Eddie

11th March
Lunchtime trip to Llay Road Bridge. Afternoon really mild with cloud, good fishing weather and a hatch of olives on. No rises to the large dark olive on first few pools but kept going upstream towards straight cut and stopped at a particularly nice looking stretch I have never fished before.  Put on a tan klinkhammer and covered a rising fish, after a few tries I landed very lean and dark coloured brownie of 24cm. Returned to work very happy and no other rises seen, the hatch seeming to have lessened by then.
After work the weather was still very mild so decided to return to the river for the possibility of an evening rise. But first I stopped by the fantastic chipper in Gresford.  Ate onion rings and bites of burger hurriedly as I tackled up again.  With lard surging through my veins I marched down to the river in the rapidly reducing light at 6.15pm.  On reaching the sewage works area it was a bit colder and the wind was getting up. The sewage works pool was totally quiet. But I decided to stick with the tan Klink hammer in any case in the hope that having gorged on olive duns all afternoon they might be confident enough to take another emerging one! A few casts later and the fly was getting closer to a hot spot in the pool. I am beginning to think that many pools in the Alyn hold good fish it’s just that presentation to catch them is only possible in certain parts of the pools due to the impossible angles and currents - all part of the challenge on our charming little river! The fly was passing along the spot I tempted a big trout a season or two ago, but which I didn’t hook, and thus I willed a rise to happen, but I rarely catch anything in this pool due to the ease of spooking fish on it. Well, much to my amazement, there in the gloom, a bow wave enveloped the fly and with a massive rise the line was stripped through my hand before I could even strike and as I tightened my grip and raised my rod a fish was on! The fish went all over the pool, a real sneaky one, going upstream and then rushing down and behind me, then around me, I had a right handful of a fish, but I persevered in keeping control and after a time the fish waned in its plunges here and there and came to the net. A really deep bodied brownie of 35cm, with the fly embedded perfectly in the scissors. Took a photo and let the fish back, maybe to fight another angler on another day, but also to breed - assuming its a wild fish its probably about 5-6 years old for its length. Also took a photo of the pool.  A fantastic experience, my best ever trout on the club water to date.  The light was now almost gone and the bats were out so I went back to the car extremely happy. All things considered it almost felt like August!
Conor.

10th March Llay Road Bridge.
Got there not long after 4:30pm. River was clear with a slight wind down stream. Caught a 6" brownie on a size 14 bead head nymph at about 5pm. Fish shot about like a rocket, fantastic! First one of the season :-) Chzech-nymphed for remainder of daylight then went home cold but happy.

Mark (disco5tu)

8th March
Arrived at Worms’s Wood at 0800. Weather was cold and overcast with a biting downstream wind. Stayed with my normal upstream setup while looking forward to fishing this stretch for the first time this season. The river looked very fishy! I went to one of my favourite pools first and started to cover the water upstream. Within 4 -5 casts the reassuring stop in my furled leader indicated a take. Lift into the fish; rod bends in two with the current and the sail of a 33cm grayling fighting against my wish for it to be in the net, I won! After a quick measure and weigh a very healthy grayling returns to fight again. 3 or 4 more casts then again the leader stops, this time a brown trout measuring 30cm ( see pictures of some of the fish in photo albums). Left the pool and headed into Conors nightmare!!! Worms Wood. There is a lot of debris around after the winter floods, be careful! No nibbles today for me in the woods, so I made my way back down the field intending to go home for breakfast! But the pool pulled me back for one more try. Two more grayling were caught in the same pool, all grayling today were again over 1lb and over the 30cm mark. We have a very healthy population in our river! I you go fishing please remember to submit a report even if you blanked, any info helps others.

Simon.

7 March
I arrived at Llay road bridge at 11-30 and fished through to Lower Straight Cut, finishing at 15-30. I had one grayling of 12" between Two Bridges and Lower Straight Cut, on a gold head pheasant tail. I only saw one fish rising which is surprising due to the relatively prolific fly hatches. Hopefully the fly activity will continue throughout the season.
Regards,

Paul H 

Arrived early 07:30 & fished the lower part 1st, had 4 Grayling, best 10" (25.5cm) & a small Brown. Following this I moved to the top end, but no fish rising or even interested. Fish caught on PTN's.

Eddie.

6 March
Lunchtime trip upstream of Griffin Road bridge. Tackled up with a red shrimp on point and a bibio dropper. After a few casts sweeping pool downstream I hooked into a lovely grayling of 29.5 cm, this being a pool that has never had grayling in the 2 years i have fished it, this being an exclusive brown trout pool. Anyway it was welcome and a photo was quickly taken. For Eddie's benefit, the easy way of measuring fish without getting them entering your chesties is to put the fish up against your rod butt and to see where the snout is, then release, and afterwards measure the position up the rod with some sewing measuring tape (robbed off my wife) from your pocket. Fished a deep pool that usually has grayling, but not this year so far, and was surprised by that. Kept going upstream to start of worm's wood.  A new deep pool has developed there but with some nasty fallen trees that make for hellish fishing. This was the pool that produced my first grayling of club season.  Decided to tackle from upstream fishing downstream - bad mistake. I was into a lovely grayling that was using the current to almost stationary effect, well before i could imagine moving up the club competition rankings, it snagged on one of the many underwater branches of one of the several fallen trees around this nasty pool and the leader parted.  However, I could see the grayling struggling still, so wet myself completely wading beyond the limit of the waders trying to move the branch, which shifted, the fish got free and i went backwards and saturated myself (in the office afterwards i got some strange looks wearing wet trousers around the waist down to knees!).I took two photos of the newly christened Devil's Pool and I challenge anyone in the club to fish it without disaster!

Conor

4th March
Arrived at the river at 1130hrs with Sonia for her first trip of the new season. After the rain of last night the river was up a few inches and coloured. We covered the water around Llay Bridge for an hour, not even a nibble for either of us. We packed our rods and headed for the sewage works. Met Billy who also had not had a nibble! After a long chat trying out the new seats. Sonia fished behind the sewage works again with no luck. I went above the weir still with an upstream setup. As I entered the river a fish rose 10ft upstream of me, a quick change of fly to a dry LDO, missed the first take but hooked it second time. A lean brown of 25cm, very silvery with big spots. Satisfied I returned to the stretch behind the sewage works. I change my set up to fish New Zealand style with a GRHE on the point. Sonia had now given in so one last pool to try; five or six casts then the dry vanished below the calm surface. I love the feel when the rod bends in two and you feel the run of the fish! Anyway a Grayling the measured 33cm and weighed in at 1.5lb. There are very large hatches of olives around 1200hrs. Not that we saw any fish today rising for them!

Simon.

Lunchtime visit to area upstream of Llay road bridge. Started on large dark olive dry but no takers. Water temp 7 C. Water colour a bit cloudy but only an inch up despite the rain. Cold, with intermittent hail. Switched to a pair of Peter Ross wet flies, one size 10 the other size 14 in hope of a sea-trout. On one run had a hard take, and i landed a salmon smolt, a lovely bar of silver, all of 19cm, in same place that i had some smolts last year at this time as well! Took photo. No other takes on way back to bridge.

Conor

3rd March
Arrived at the sewage works around 0830, only to find 3 others there already! Connor wandered back to his car after an early start and was now off to work. Weather was overcast with a light wind. Tackled up with a Hi-vis furled leader 7ft of tippet with one dropper 12in from the point. Flies were 2 weighted GRHE. Started behind the sewage works making my way upstream. Things were quiet for a while, then  Geoff  stopped to watch. My furled leader tightened and I lifted into a 31cm Grayling. Forgot to weigh it but Geoff took a picture for me. First fish of the season. Next cast into the same pool earned me another Grayling of 28cm, this weighed 1lb. Fished on until 1200hrs reaching September cottage. In all I caught 10 Grayling 7 of these were over 1lb, and one small brown trout. All were caught on upstream GRHE’s. Rain started at just gone 12 so I called it a morning. Let’s hope the rest of the week is as productive.

Simon.

Started fishing at 7.10am downstream of sewage works and met Peter as he too was starting to fish. Water level low and clear, with relatively high temp of 7 C for this time of year.  No luck on first few pools fishing singly with either a double gold head nymph (caddis rep) and a single gold head nymph.  Switched to a team of two Baetis nymphs as the alternative successful fly this time last year (big benefit of submitting club catch returns in a table – makes for an easy reference tool!).  Within a few minutes had a knock on the line but missed it. Sweeped pool again with flies working deep with a curve downward of the furled leader. Another knock and this time I connected, and a lively 25cm brownie gave fight going all around the pool, and was returned. Only time for a quick few casts on way back to car and stopped fishing at 8.30am. Met up with Simon as he was tackling up and had a good catch-up. Great to see lots of people out and about enjoying the first day.
Returned to the river at lunchtime, this time parking at Griffin Road bridge to work my way upstream to Worms Wood.  It felt warmer than the morning although it was spitting with rain.  Kept to the team of beatis nymphs to start with but no luck and not a pull on some heavier nymphs and shrimps either. A few rises tempted me to a size 18 large dark olive dun but this wasn’t working so switched to a size 12 tan Klink hammer. In one pool I saw about 15 up winged flies about 1 1/2 times bigger than a large dark olive and with a reddish hue to the body on a hatch in one pool, and downstream in the quiet flow those that didn’t manage to fly off were being picked up by small fish rising as they floated down.  Decided to leave them at it and kept going upstream into Worms’s wood to a favourite spot.  In the last pool I fished in Worms Wood it was getting time to go back and while I was concentrating on my footing as the Klink hammer came past me (underwater no less) the fly got snagged, but the snag started moving and a fish was on.  This was a monster, large silhouettein front of me and a constant banging on the rod tip.  Well it’s amazing what one perceives in the heat of the moment and at close quarters, for if the fish had been lost at that moment I would have been retelling a story of a lost fish of at least 2lbs.  However in reality as the fish played out it was a more modest but much appreciated first grayling of the club season of 28cm and was quickly photographed before being returned. The rain was heavier as I returned to the car, but the air was warmer and it was with a heavy heart that I left, as it could have been a lovely afternoon fishing the whole beat. No dippers seen this morning or today - unusual?
Connor.

Catch return for 3/3/09 - I arrived at 14:45 to light showers & strong wind. 1st stop, 3 fish  - 1 x Dace of 2oz, 1 x Grayling 12" (30.5 cm) & 1 x Brown of 6oz. Odd fish were rising, but not to the LDO's that were showing. The rain & wind increased & I moved upstream, I did see several spots where "others" had fished recently ? I only managed one other fish, another Grayling of 14" (35.5 cm). Shrimp only caught one fish the others came to a PTN. One problem found, when trying to measure the Grayling out of the water, they do have a habit of jumping about & in my case into my chest waders !!! With the second I measured it in the water (tape, camera & rod - difficult). Rain & wind increased, so I packed in at 16:45, an excellent 1st day.

Eddie.

I spent opening day between Rossett footbridge and the straight cut, having the stretch to myself for most of the time. There was a hatch of spring olives throughout, becoming heavy between 1 and 3pm, when there was quite a widespread rise.  Prior to this activity I caught only a small grayling, but during the peak period I caught 6 trout: the smallest about 7”, the others 10”-12”. All wild fish in lovely condition, although one or two were still a little thin. All were rising fish, that I tackled with a dry olive on the tail and a wet Greenwell on the dropper; the wet fly claimed most attention, although the last two came to the dry fly.
My best opening day for years! After this, I expect the colder weather will put them down for a month, but at least we know there are plenty of fish there, and a healthy fly population.

Paul L.

This is the first time in many years I have fished on the first day of the season and arrived at September cottage at 11.30. As I arrived I met Billy Hough who said he’d been on the river for a few hours and had caught four trout on a small grey Wulff – a weird pattern but it worked in the fast water even though he’d seen nothing rising. We had lunch and a cuppa and resumed in spite of the drizzle. He left after another fish was caught and I walked downstream looking for signs of fly life. Saw almost nothing until I reached downstream of the sewage works where fish were moving to large dark olive duns. A GRHE did nothing so tried an Adams. Third cast secured a plump brownie and another dropped off 30 minutes later. The hatch was spasmodic and Geoff Noakes thought there was a mink working the sewage works pool. I walked back to the car seeing little or no further rises. Not a bad start all things considered.

Howard.