Saturday 21 September 2013

Scaling Down...


I knew exactly how I was going to fish this weekend if I could string a few hours together, a chat with a couple of locals revealed the barbel really aren't playing at the moment, especially during the day... And not only do I want to catch a fish, I need to do it quickly.

Kit was scaled right back, 5lb line, size 14 hook and a tiny pinch of bread for bait. I thought the gudgeon might be a pain, and first cast I started getting little knocks - until the rod ripped off the rest and made a break for the river... I just grabbed the butt and struck into thin air - how does that happen?

Half an hour later the same thing happened again, you would not believe it's possible to miss two bites like that - I did think about a bigger hook, but I was getting bites and the clock was ticking.

Next bite was against a tight bait runner and fish on - great fight on light line, and at one stage I thought it was curtains when it got snagged but eventually I had my fish beat.

Next problem - one I wasn't expecting, I couldn't reach the water with my landing net! I had to kneel on my rod, use one hand to hold on and the other to reach down with the net - and as I was nearly upside-down my phone slid out of my pocket... I grabbed it, stuck it in my mouth and as I steered the fish over the net my girlfriend rang... It was on vibrate!!

7lb 0oz barbel... Happy days!

7 comments:

  1. small is beautiful21 September 2013 at 21:00

    The beard also has been trimmed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. 7lb, so was the barbel, report to follow... Currently trashing my house looking for my passport...

    ReplyDelete
  3. You got another Brian, you've got a little momentum going now, hopefully you can maintain that come the winter for some Pike, have good trip too.

    James.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, just need more time on the water..! Cheers

      Delete
  4. Fishing for Schools23 September 2013 at 13:13

    Fishing for Schools: how to get kids hooked on learning

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/10320635/Fishing-for-Schools-how-to-get-kids-hooked-on-learning.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The traditional father teaching son thing seems to be disappearing... It's great that things like this are happening... But fishing Vs GTA V & Facebook - they've got their work cut out..!

      Delete
  5. Awesome Barbel adventure! If only things could always work out like that every time we want them to!

    ReplyDelete