It has been a month of unusually low rainfall and water levels for the time of year, very good for us being this low down on the river system, in fact Peter has had a fish of ten pounds on the Willow Bed this week and several nice trout have been caught.
Even when the water is below summer level, when other pools cease to work, the Willow Bed pool (see pic) just gets better and better, anything over .9m (on the Sheepmount gauge) and there is too much water. Be aware of the tide times on this lower beat.
Peter has also built a very nice shelter (see pic) over the bench at the Willow Bed which is now a very desirable pool to fish. The flow through there, especially at low water levels is exceptional and the top half from the shelter to the top of the run can be fished without any wading, casting off a pebbled path, then getting in the river at the bench, it is wadable down to Lobbs Hole, just superb!
There are some interesting currents that have formed over the winter, a good vee where two currents meet from a new formed gravel bank (see pic) mid river at the top of the run (see pic), huge sunken trees that have moved and diverted the flow to our benefit and created a beautiful run that hold fish.
The bridge (see pic) that crosses the beck toward the power lines has been closed for six months for repairs, if you are on the Beaumont beat and want to fish the power lines it maybe best to park at the bottom of Cherrim lane at Grinsdale and walk downstream.
No change at the top beat, all good there and the Quarry and Carr Head still good pools to fish at most heights. Fish are starting to arrive now.
Please find attached the tide times and heights for April (add one hour and twenty minutes to time shown) and a few pictures of the lower beat showing the pool.
http://www.cumbriaflyfishing.co.uk/
