Barbel: Rolling meat does the business

After finding a couple of juvenile barbel recently, I was keen to find the Warks Avon's larger inhabitants. The hot, bright weather of late had given way to grey skies that threatened rain. All in all, the conditions were much more encouraging.

First double of the season

With the stretch to myself, I was able to bait up a spot and leave it to rest. This allowed me to try rolling meat in the faster water just upstream. The first few runs saw me experimenting to get the right amount of weight until I could feel that grating sensation as the bait moves across the gravel telling me all was just right. Then came the inevitable pluck. It's hard to describe as it's such as subtle sensation but you just know it's a fish. Instinct told me to strike. My rod hit a branch meaning I couldn't get a full strike in, but it was enough as the line went taught. The fish turned and made a couple of powerful runs downstream before it headed back up the fast

Fishing update

A robin keeps me company

I have managed several trips out on the Warks Avon over the past ten days. In that time, the heatwave has continued and with it the river has fallen inch by inch and its flow decreased. Spells like this are never conducive to productive fishing so I have just set myself the target of catching. Whilst results have not been spectacular I have managed to keep things ticking over and I am happy to announce that I still only have my opening day blank to blot my copybook.

My main approach has been to continue rolling meat where the river's flow has allowed me to do this effectively together with fishing in a baited swim as dusk approaches and a little into darkness. It has been very noticeable how the pace of the river has reduced during the hot spell with barely any weight needed to move a bait through a pacier run. To conclude, rolling meat has outscored any other method. Indeed, it's the only method to have

Rolling meat accounts for another barbel

produced barbel during these last few sessions. I am convinced that fishing a static bait in the same area would not have resulted in the same results. It's also an instant method and I have managed a barbel within ten minutes of arrival on three of my sessions in the last week, including two within minutes of each other. The static approach has been a complete wash out. I had hoped that baiting up a peg and fishing it during the optimum time just before and after dusk would have resulted in some fish but it's been a disappointment. I have managed some reasonably sized eels, which is encouraging given they are said to be decline as well as some chub. However, there have been no signs of barbel apart from a decent looking fish that topped although it could have been a carp as I only caught a quick glimpse.

Fish like this 2lb chub have kept me busy

The river despearately needs some rain to refresh it and kick start the season. I think a lot of fish are localised and have not really spread out across stretches and in turn it's leading to sport that is very hit or miss. In the meantime I will persevere with moving baits before giving the lower Severn some attention in the coming weeks. As always, please add your comments and join the site.

You've got to roll with it

With the river season entering its fourth week, many anglers have reported a slow start particularly where barbel are concerned. There have been several reasons put forward to explain the mediocrity ranging from late spawning to weather conditions and everything inbetween. However, I have chosen to experiment a little to see if I can find a method that will bank barbel while others struggle and the results have been interesting.

A walk along any barbel river will see the majority of anglers sitting behind a rod waiting for the tip to wrap round in typical barbel fashion. Presenting a static bait is by far the most popular method and it's very successful. However, reports of late suggest this method is not working so it was time to try something different rather than sit for hours watching a motionless rod tip.

The method I've been using isn't new but it's rarely seen in use when walking the banks. I've been of the mindset for a few seasons that when barbel will not take a static bait then a moving one is often the key to success. So with this in mind and ideal conditions to compare methods I have been attempting to catch using the rolling meat. For those not familiar with the method,
it's simplicity in itself.

Keep things simple

A bait is allowed to trundle down with the current with just enough weight added to enable this to happen under control. Trefor West made this method his own using weighted hooks to balance the bait but with me still being a relative novice in comparison my setup is slightly different.  I use 10lb line straight through to a size 2 or 4 barbless hook. Before tying the hook on I slide on a float stop to which plasticine is added to match the speed of the current. Alternatively, use a swivel to connect at hooklink to your mainline and mould the plasticine around the swivel. I don't believe the material of hooklink matters since fish have a simple choice: take the bait or watch it disappear past them. A static bait allows finicky fish to inspect the bait and choose to ignore it if they so wish.

To fish this method effectively then it stands to reason that you need a stretch of river with a current strong enough to carry your bait downstream. On rivers such as the Severn or Hampshire Avon you will be spoilt for choice but other rivers will require some watercraft.

Perfect for rolling meat

Ideal areas will include weir run offs, gullies where the river narrows and the pace increases or the outside of a bend. Once your swim has been chosen then it takes a few casts of trial and error to achieve the correct balance. Keep adding or reducing the amount of plasticine until your bait is moving at a speed you're happy with. I always cast upstream, take up some of the slack line but leave enough of a bow to feel the bait down the swim in a straight line. It's a great way to explore the river and learn about the nooks and crannies that you would be otherwise oblivious to. When fished correctly you can feel your rig grating across the gravel bottom which usually inhabits these areas. I have found most bites to be an unmistakable 'pluck pluck' although you still get the occasional rod wrenching takes that almost rip the rod from your grasp.

I have used this method to good effect on my local river and had some relative success. Most barbel have been of an average size but satisfying all the same given they have been caught when everyone else on the stretch has blanked. With a hot spell of weather gripping the UK at the moment coupled with low water levels I have heard anglers state 'the fish aren't feeding' or 'they are not there.' Of course this is hogwash! The fish are there and they need to feed. Unfortunately, too many anglers are creatures of habit, fishing the same few swims in the same way. For those that are willing to try something different then there's still an opportunity to catch fish when everyone else is struggling. Rolling meat is such an enjoyable method. The sensations transmitted down the line keep you on your toes and that moment when you feel the urge to strike is one of the most exciting moments in angling as you connect with a barbel in fast water. So get out there and give it a go.

A typical barbel taken on rolling meat

Fish usually come quickly

At the double

Last night saw me on my favourite stretch of the Warwickshire Avon with my barbel head on. It's a stretch that has been kind to me in the past, producing my PB barbel plus some of my finest roach and chub catches. However, it's a place I visit less often now that I live near the river and have many other places to explore but I always ensure a few trips every season just for old times sake.

I arrived at about 6pm to find only one other car, which was a welcome sight since I knew that my intended area below the weir would be free. Immediately, I spent 5 minutes casting with my lure rod. The weir is home to some fine predators but none showed themselves on this occasion so it was back to business, barbel. With this being only my third trip out since the season began I was determined to find some action and decided rolling meat was the way to go. I have found that when the Avon is hard work then sitting behind a static bait can often be pointless. In these instances a moving bait will usually produce. As with all my rigs I try to keep everything as straightforward as possible. My setup simply consisted of 10lb line straight through to a size 2 hook. I had threaded a Drennan float stop on to the line about a foot above the hook and around this went enough plasticine to move my bait to my liking. It's a relatively new method to me with only a handful of sessions over the last couple of seasons but it's thoroughly enjoyable. I cast the bait upstream, took up some of the slack then felt the line for tell tale signs. On the clean gravel of the weir run off, the bait moved effortlessly and naturally downstream. Second cast and I felt a 'pluck pluck' on the line and sweeping strike met with my first barbel of the season. I was able to gain the upper hand quickly and a fish of about 4-5lb was netted.

Rolling meat produced the first barbel of my season

I continued to fish this way for about 30 minutes. I suspected that the fish had been spooked but I was enjoying it as well as becoming more familiar with the method. I had previously baited an area about 15 yards downstream using a baitdropper to deposit hemp and some pellets so I decided it was time to change methods. It was about 8pm by now so two small pellets were cast into the gulley formed by the strong flow. I had plenty of raps and taps synonymous with chub. Indeed, one fish pulled the rod round considerably but my strike met with thin air. This of course is the consequence of using hair rigs with chub who are capable of picking up a bait in the lips, minus the hook.

Another hour or so had passed and it was now 9.30pm and light was beginning to fade. This is the moment when many barbel anglers get excited. There's a sense of anticipation, almost expectation. If you are familiar with my barbel approach you will know that I'm a big fan of using luncheon meat at this time of the day. I feel it is the best barbel bait of all as light fades into darkness. I made a cast landing the bait exactly where it was intended and sat back with the rod in my hand, my forefinger across the line waiting for a barbel to home in on the meaty morsel. I didn't have to wait long either, I felt the line tighten as the tip of my rod twitched and pulled round - fish on. The rod hooped as the fish held station in the strong current. I could barely move it for a couple of minutes as it made a series of short powerful runs, hugging the bottom all the time. This was proving to be an epic battle as the fish boiled the surface. Eventually, I began to take control and ease the fish upstream to steadier waters. It was obviously a good fish and at first glimpse I was convinced my habit of catching near 'double figure' barbel was about to continue. Finally, the fish was netted and a proper look revealed it was bigger than I first thought. The scales recorded 10lb 10oz, a great way to end the session. It was a fine looking fish although there were some fresh looking abrasions around the anal fin leading me to assume that they were the result spawning. I know there has been much debate as to when the barbel spawned this year following the late spring but I'm hoping this fish is proof that it's finally happened.

With light fading I was more than happy to call it a day. All that was left was for me to return the fish safely and watch as she swam into the darkness.

First double of the season - 10lb 10oz