New Year breeds pike shaped enthusiasm

So another year is upon on us and with it comes new targets and new found enthusiasm. I finished 2018 on the hunt for barbel. I set myself a target of catching one in every calendar month of the river season. I am yet to succeed with the winter months always proving tricky and as far as December was concerned, time was fast running out. A couple of days on the Warks Avon gave me seemingly perfect conditions but I failed to trouble the scorers and with just a few days left it took a trip to the Severn to break my duck. I bumped into a chap that had a red letter day 24 hours earlier. He had managed a barbel first cast and looked set for another bumper session but had failed to record a bite since. How many times have we returned to the same spot and used the same tactics after a good day only to see a tough session ensue? It's what makes fishing impossible to predict and keeps anglers going back in the hope that today will result in that magical catch. However this particular day turned out to be tough. Even fishing maggots which I had hoped to be my secret weapon failed to produce the barbel I was looking for. I upped sticks and moved to a swim that has produced for me in the past. It was going to be an all or nothing approach with about 90 minutes to go before the light was gone and and the session would end. I switched to worm but still ensured a slow release of maggots from the feeder to hopefully attract some interest. Eventually the rod twitched twice and a small barbel kept my challenge going for another month at least.

January has seen me targeting pike. I have to be honest, it's been really refreshing and I've has some
success which has given me fresh impetus. Although there are many ways to catch a pike I still think a float setup is hard to beat. It gives me the flexibility to stay mobile and search the fish out and bite indication is straightforward with no need for extra kit such as alarms. In fact, the sight of the float bobbing slightly as a pike picks up the bait before it moves across the water and slides from view certainly sets the pulse racing. My first session of the year could hardly have gone better. Fishing sardine, a pike found the bait quite quickly but refused to pick it up purposefully. Slight movements for what seemed an age had me doubting it was even a pike at all. Maybe smaller fish were pecking at the bait? I recast. The same thing happened. Lots of movement on the float but nothing to make me feel a strike was warranted. I pulled the bait a few feet hoping the movement would entice a take. Eventually the float sailed away and a pike was on. It was a good one too. It leapt clear from the surface adding to the experience. It was netted. It looked easily 15+ pounds and maybe a good deal more. It was rested whilst I set up for a photo and scales. However, whilst taking the photo the fish flipped. I lost my grip and it found its way back to the river before returning to the depths never to be seen again. It was a slight disappointment not knowing what the fish weighed but it didn't hide the fact it was probably my second best pike from the stretch. A smaller fish resulted from another spot but it had been a rewarding few hours.

A few days later and I was back. The swim of the big fish was tried. I hoped to catch it again to put to

Another decent river pike. This one didn't mind a photo.

rest my nagging doubts but that did not happen despite missing a run. I then visited the swim that had given me the smaller pike. After 20 minutes or so the float started to move towards the reed bed on the near bank. Another good pike was successfully hooked. The fight was less spectacular than the previous decent fish but it was another great river specimen. It went 15lb 12oz with the photo and weighing passing without any drama on this occasion. The fish was returned safely and no more action was seen.

My most recent session saw a jack pike arrive quite quickly. Another soon followed. There were almost identical in size but I always feel that when the smaller pike are this active it signals the bigger fish are not feeding. If you were a pike of a few pounds, you'd keep a low profile if a fish 4 times your size was on the look out for lunch. I then lost a fish at the net, again estimated at several pounds before another spat the hook. I think this can always happen as the smaller pike takes that bit longer to position a reasonably sized bait in its jaws. Strike too early and you won't hook it. Too long and you risk a deeply hooked fish, especially if it turns out to be a bigger fish that will engulf a bait more rapidly. I think today's culprits were smaller fish. It's been a really enjoyable week or so on the bank and my relative success with the pike has certainly freshened things up and renewed my enthusiasm. Hopefully there will be few more fish to follow.

Barbel: Are you brave enough to try somewhere new?

When the river season opens in around two weeks time, anglers up and down the country will take their new found optimism and high hopes back to the river bank. There will of course be a number of venues that get more attention than most based on past form and fishy tales. Take the river closest to me, the Warwickshire Avon. You can bet that the vast majority of anglers looking to land an opening day barbel will end up at of Marcliff, Salford Priors, Pershore, Fladbury or Barton on the Birmingham AA stretches with the day ticket stretches around Harvington also getting a bashing. This trend will continue throughout the whole summer until the leaves begin to turn brown with some

Summer on the Avon

swims being fished on an almost daily basis. I am sure whichever river you fish in the UK you can picture a similar situation so why do anglers persist in visiting so few venues when there's a whole river to go at? Well, there's a bit of a cycle at play here. Since the majority of anglers are fishing the same handful of venues, it stands to reason that this is where most of the fish are caught. When a barbel then has its picture posted to say, the BAA's homepage or a Facebook group, then of course more anglers flock to this venue in the hope of getting a piece of the action. In turn, the notoriety of these few venues increases and the under-fished venues get forgotten and labelled unproductive. The nettles grow, the pegs disappear and miles of river become ignored. Take a look at the BAA's list of Avon waters. Deduct the ones I have mentioned and ask yourself the last time you or indeed anyone else fished them with regularity? I remember turning up at Barton on one summer's evening to find no less than 15 cars parked up. As I drive to work, I pass a few venues that barely see anyone visit, let alone fish them.

My opinion is that aside from the upper reaches, the Avon's character and make up is not too dissimilar for much of its length. Punctuated by weirs that see an increase in flow, much of the river is medium paced and around 8ft deep. Obviously, there are areas where this is not the case but I don't think I am too wide of the mark. Now, why do barbel only live in the popular stretches? Why don't anglers target them in the less frequented venues? The reason you don't hear of any being caught at these places is because no one is fishing for them. I picked a random, under-fished venue and leaded around for a bit recently. What did I find? Clean gravel and perfect barbel habitat. If I fished there this summer would I face competition from other anglers for the best swims or would the fish be full up on others' bait? Not a chance.

Are fish after sunset the result of pressure?

Now, think about the effect of angling pressure on the more heavily fished venues. Anglers casting at regular intervals on a daily basis, each putting bait into their chosen swims before packing up and going home. Soon after, along comes another angler who sets up in the recently vacated hotspot. Out goes more bait to attract the fish. Remember, all this is going on during the summer when the river is most likely low and clear. The barbel, especially the experienced ones are holed up where they feel safe. Angler's habits have had an effect on the feeding patterns of these fish. Therefore, is it any wonder daytime fishing can be next to useless in these conditions? You will probably pick up some 'shoalies' who have much to learn and maybe strike gold with the odd better fish but there will probably be nothing consistent about your catches. I know, I have been there! Once darkness falls, the fish then begin their patrol route knowing that the BAA's night fishing ban gives them relative sanctuary to mop up all the beds of bait unhindered. They can then sidle off to their snaggy hide outs and wait for the next dollop of freebies to be deposited. The end result? You end up with certain stretches where barbel have had their habits changed due to the angling pressure. They have learned that the noise from casting means fishermen and therefore danger. The barbel know that they are able to find food very easily and as a result are rarely hungry. No need to go searching for food on this stretch and last but not least, they know they can have a free, safe meal that very night. Fishing for pressured and full up barbel is not the best scenario for consistent catches.

This has been on my mind for a year or so and I am ready to make a break for it, a leap of faith if you like. I am planning to spend my summer on the quiet, hardly fished venues where I hope barbel live unmolested. Their feeding habits are hopefully that of a wild barbel that has to forage and search for food to keep up with its big summer appetite. With a sensible baiting approach, I hope to prove that barbel can be caught up and down the river. I have to admit to being quite motivated about this and quietly optimistic. I am sure many of you that read this will be able to apply the same logic to your own river so perhaps you too could give it a go and see what turns up. Of course, I could be completely wrong on this in which case I'll be queuing up for the best peg with everyone else by August.

I would be really interested to see what other people's opinions are on this topic so share, like and comments would be most welcome.

The wait is almost over

Only a few days remain before the most revered dates in the calendar, June 16th. This date marks the opening of the river season. Of course there was a time when coarse angling of all kinds had to wait patiently for this date but now only the rivers are bound by an enforced closure. Although there are many debates about the validity of a close season, I personally think it should remain. Yes, I might be a sentimental fool but I think it's a tradition worth keeping. Modern ways are all too eager to cast aside what has been in favour of new and better ways, but more often there are based on purely selfish or commercial reasons.

As for my opening day, work will obviously intervene. However, it won't keep me away. A few hours after work will see me plying my trade on the Warwickshire Avon. Typically, the anticipation and excitement of the season's opener fails to live up to expectation. I liken it to Christmas Eve, full of hope and expectation only to wake the next morning to a pair of socks. That said, angling is always a journey into the unknown. You are just one bite away from the fish you have yearned for and it's that yearning that keeps the hallowed June 16th a special date to the nation's river anglers.

I'm back on the barbel trail. Aside from a concerted effort on the Lower Severn in October, barbel didn't really feature on my agenda last year. I have a few changes  to my rigs and feeding habits to trial this season so we'll see if they impact on my catches. As for challenges, doubles are always welcome and no doubt a few will make an appearance. Perhaps I could target a barbel during every calendar month of the river season. I came close a few years ago but invariably weather and river conditions put this challenge in the lap of the gods. I'd also love to rediscover a Teme barbel and a big river perch. Big perch seem ten a penny these days but these fish are nearly always stillwater fish. A river perch for me would seem extra special.

So all that remains is to make my final preparations and hope for a bit of good fortune. All the best wherever you're fishing.

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

Do we need a river close season? (edited)

I note that Dave Harrell has penned an article in this week’s Angling Times calling for a lift on the river close season. After all, it’s the only type of UK waterway that still has an obligation to close on March 15^th.

Now I’m fully aware of the pros and cons depending on which side of the fence you sit on. Those in favour of a close season claim it protects the banks and associated wildlife and spawning fish. To be fair, given that many of the country’s rivers are suffering from predation, abstraction and many other problems it could be deemed this argument is as pertinent as ever.

On the flip side, those wanting a change to the rules offer the idea that it could boost the economy, offer more choice to anglers, and that stillwaters and canals haven’t suffered so why would rivers?

Personally, I would like to leave things as they are and that comes from someone who lives a few hundred metres from the Warwickshire Avon and would benefit more than most from a rule change. You’re probably wondering why? Well, for me the 16^th June is still a special date in the angling calendar. The week preceding the 16th will have me getting tackle ready, preparing bait and thinking through my approach for the big day with great anticipation. A rule change would see this lost forever. Perhaps that’s a bit old fashioned but it’s what I look forward to. Since most of my angling is carried out on the river, the close season also gives me an opportunity to fish elsewhere and have a bash at other species. My observations also show that most canals are under fished and to add so are many stillwaters, commercials excepted. Therefore, the argument that they are fine doesn’t actually paint the full picture. If commercial fisheries suffer fatalities due to angling pressure then they simply buy new stock. This of course cannot happen on a natural fishery.

As I mentioned earlier, some rivers have really suffered in recent years due to cormorants, otters and poachers for the pot. These fish haven’t been replaced and some areas are hardly worth fishing. Ask anglers on the Windrush or Bristol Avon what the Barbel fishing is like these days and you wouldn’t get much of a response.  On my local Warks Avon, I know that weirs in particular get lots of angling pressure throughout the season yet these are the main sites, due to the oxygenated water, where many fish spawn. Would anglers really be happy fishing over gravel runs used for spawning? Perhaps, with some years seeing fish spawning outside the close season a change to the dates would be more appropriate than a lift.

I’ve not managed to read the article yet on the Angling Times but I can see why match anglers may want a lift since it increases the chances of river fishing and if you’re a river expert in those circles like Dave Harrell then that equates to extra income. Now although Dave won’t remember me, I do have memories of him giving chats and advice when I was a youngster with the Birmingham based, Junior Starlets and he always seemed a decent bloke. However, it would be interesting if his main points for a change actually benefit the angler or the river. Any views would of course be welcome from anyone reading so thanks in advance.

As always, feel free to follow my site or add a link to your own site if you’re a fellow blogger. Thanks for reading. 

P.S. - it appears Mr Harrell's main argument is that the current close season should be used to compensate for poor weather during the winter months. I personally don't think it's argument enough to warrant a change, but that's my opinion. Our rivers need all the help they can get at the moment and I'm not sure lifting the close season would aid the current issues they face.