The weather is just to good for fishing, reminiscent of last winter. Trying to time your visits is ‘Hit and Miss’ as the fish can feed whenever they like. Try keeping a step ahead of the rest by visiting the water at odd times. Fish get used to the dinner bell ringing but they may not feed until the delivery is well and truly over!

Duncan with a well deserved 12lbs 4oz Barbel

This week I’ve been limited to my normal two sessions but they have rewarded me well.
 
Wednesday I knocked off work early and arrived at noon. Luckily no other anglers were around so I headed for the Stretch of the Lodden which had produced the big girl last week. Before starting I had planned to visit six swims, each getting my attention for some forty-five minutes. If I caught then I would move on to the next swim early, if knocks were observed then I would stay put for slightly longer.

I had mixed up some prototype Sonubaits Hemp & Hali Crush which I mould round the lead, and as a hookbait I had some pre-drilled sonubaits 11mm Halibut pellets which were to be hair rigged.

The plan worked well and I managed a repeat carp capture along with a small barbel of 6lbs 6oz. Any barbel whatever size is a result on this stretch but looking at my records it was also another repeat, as was a 9lbs barbel I witnessed on passing another long serving regular. On leaving I had time to collect my thoughts and had already decided that it was time to move on, well at least for a couple of months.

Last week you may recall that I had already stepped on a new stretch and although I drove home on a blank, indications were noticed that encouraged a return. My new plan was to check the car park of my original area and if anglers were present then head of to my new area. As I arrived my acquaintance from the previous night had beat me too it and as he had respected my space the night before, I did the same to him moving on to the new area.

The river was rising, coloured and warm and walking the new stretch I found it to be deserted. I wanted to drop in to the desired areas around dusk so tried two new swims before it went dark without any luck. A swim beckoned from last week, one that had produced the odd barbel many years ago and it was just after dusk that the cast was made.
 
Five minutes in and a quick pull round was noticed followed some twenty later by a vibrating sensation on the tip. My first thoughts were chub and soon after the tip pulled round six inches and stayed they’re trembling. Striking I assumed a chub but the fight was very different and half expected a carp slipping in the net but to my surprise a good barbel appeared. What a result and at 12lbs 4oz who wouldn’t continue here. A few other swims were tried without any luck but an angler passing (rare, and where did he come from!) did mention he’d had a few good eels on meat so next time I will be casting a slightly different offering.