Its Only Taken 3 Seasons...I Have Found The Barbel!

14:17 Lewis Gaukrodger 2 Comments

For the last 3 seasons I have spent the summer months targeting a small waterway in the East Midlands. I originally targeted the chub in the waterway, using the very basic free lining approach- 6lb supplex straight through to a size 6 wide gape; picking up fish to 5lb.

With 2 baits in the tackle bag they cover both scenarios that I need- Lobworms allows me to get a bait down and bounced along the bottom; whilst bread crust enables nice long trots teasing fish to rise to the surface.

I was give some information by a good friend when I first ventured into the urban jungle regarding access, deeper swims and also whisperings that there are a few barbel resident. However having spent literally hours staring into the clear water I had never seen the sleek low profile of a barbel rooting under beds of streamer weed.

Roving the stretch for the first time this year I was armed with my ever faithful full Diawa 12ft specimen 1.25lb avon rod. Finding the chub fairly easily with polaroids they appeared to be much more spooky than previous seasons. They initially almost charge at any bait that hits the water and then turn away sharply. Several casts later and only a few small chublets to show for my efforts I headed to another area of the waterway.

Peering through the undergrowth the recognisable dark silhouette of several chub cruised around the swim. The largest chub in the swim flashed and rolled on a urban feature on the river bed as bream, roach, perch and eels were also present. With a bank of streamer weed to the left of the swim I saw several fish moving out from under the streamer and then back under using the current to their advantage. Sitting in the swim these fish eventually moved into the clear area in front of me with unmistakable whiskers, peach coloured pectorals and sharp pointed tail fin, I had located the barbel! 

Over excitedly I mounted up 2 worms on the size 6 and nipped the ends off to release scent. Flicking the bait upstream of the barbel I had eyes on, the spookiness of the previous fish I had cast to was not present as one of the smaller chub in the swim directly moved for the hookbait and engulfed it with its large mouth! Playing the fish it was strange how none of the other fish in the swim were spooked until my landing net entered the water and they dispersed under the streamer weed. The chub was soon slipped over the lip of the net. A quick photograph and she was back in the waterway to cruise in and out of the current again. The smile in the photograph says it all….not so much for the ‘nuisance’ chub but the fact I had finally found them!

Returning back to the same swim the following evening and watched 4 barbel move in and out of their cover, each being no more than 2lb. I gave them a second chance at a worm hookbait but they refused with the bait literally sat next to them under the stream weed. I think maggot/caster and hemp maybe the way forward so over the next week or so a barbel from this special water will be my target! It will be a massive tick on the list if I accomplish it, that’s for sure!