Got One!

For me, the first barbel of the season isn't about the size of the fish, it's about the size of the bite - and this little barbel tried to rip the rod in - fantastic!

Back to the river this afternoon and the plan was to spend an hour or so fish spotting, but the river was still coloured - I would have needed x-ray glasses, polaroids wouldn't cut it. A second chuck it and chance it mission then. A bait and wait approach today after God knows how many miles I walked yesterday.

Patience paid off with a barbel just over a pound above, and a 7lb 10oz barbel below - get in!


I had enough bait (for both the fish and me) to stick it out to dawn if I caught a fish but there was tonnes of weed washing through - some clumps as big as me, so when it got too dark to spot them I headed to the nearest pub for a celebratory pint. No questions where I'm heading tomorrow then.

Oh yeah, the only other fish I caught was a very dead gudgeon - well most of it - looked like it had been dead for a while... But I've been told it doesn't count!


I did have a few breaks from iceberg spotting giant weed raft spotting to play our new football game. Out on Android now, just search for 'Stick Soccer' it's free and great fun (although I would say that). Apple version is out tomorrow.

Give it a try and if you think you can beat me, friend me on Facebook (I'll know you're a fisherman because you'll probably be wearing a hat in your profile photo), in the game click 'Find Friends' and click on the Facebook icon... Bring it on!