The barbel keep on coming

The last two weeks have seen me continue on the Warks Avon. A bit of rain a fortnight ago lifted the level a few inches and added a tinge of colour. Nothing much to get excited about but compared to recent months it was a definite change. As a result, I was confident when I arrived on the bank and my optimism was soon confirmed. No sooner had I cast in with a boilie hookbait and PVA bag  a few indications told me fish were present. It was no surprise when the rod wrapped around and my first barbel of around 7lb was in the net. A great start as I had literally only been fishing a matter of minutes. The bait was straight back out and again I was soon into a barbel albeit this fish felt better. A chunky looking barbel was landed and the scales registered 8lb 11oz. It was a great looking fish. A period of inactivity then followed before the chub moved in. Three chub were landed in succession before the swim died.

A beautifully conditioned barbel of 8lb 11oz

With river levels back to their low, clear and normal self, I again pursued a bigger fish. My second session was eventful even if it ended rather frustratingly. A barbel of around 6lb was landed within ten minutes, which promised a fruitful session ahead and indeed it should have been. However, lady luck was not on my side on this occasion. Another barbel was hooked but the hook quickly pulled and the fish was gone. Worse was to come when I later hooked a fish that was of much better quality. I had it right under the rod tip where it thrashed giving off an enormous splash. It then powered off downstream and found the sanctuary of a snag. I tried everything to get it moving again. I could feel it kick but nothing was freeing my rig from the its solid hold. Therefore, the inevitable happened and the line parted and with it the swim was killed. I gave it half hour but it was all in vain.

Another short trip (my visits tend to be 2-3 hours) saw me move slightly downstream of my newly found snag. After twenty minutes, a small barbel of around 5lb was hooked and landed. There was a definite chill in the air that reminded me that autumn had definitely arrived. Having being spoiled by some mild temperatures recently, the now cooler temperatures were sure to have affected the barbels' appetite. I had changed tactics slightly in so much as presenting a meat bait on one of the rods. It was this bait that was picked up by a chub, which was played to submission when it inexplicably found its freedom. Nothing happened for the next forty minutes and the session was ended.

There's a definite feel that winter is around the cornier. Having said that, I am determined my new stretch will produce some double figure barbel in the right conditions. A return of 33 barbel so far is a decent result compared to previous seasons' efforts although the really big fish are eluding me. I'll keep trying as I am convinced it's just a matter of time. However, we are reaching that time of year when other species start to distract and chub, pike and perch become the focus of my thoughts. Plenty to go at but so little time!