Sunday 9 August 2020

Pest Control


Four more barbel added to the challenge; about 1lb, 1½lb, 2lb and 3½lb - or as James calls it - pest control! Great news for the future of the river but along with my target of 100 barbel I'd like to bank a few bigger fish - and hopefully a double or two (I managed 5 last season).

I've walked a fair few miles of the river so far this summer and seen loads of barbel - mostly 4lb and under and I haven't seen anything even approaching double figures. Perhaps they are tucked away during the mornings - may have to try an evening session...

45/100

12 comments:

  1. Wish we had that sort of river near me, sounds like heaven. You had many spam comments of late on your blog Brian ? I'm being bombarded at the minute.

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    1. Little slice of heaven (but with nettles). Was inundated with spam a couple of weeks ago - must be your turn now!

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  2. Pesky 4lb Barbel!?!?! 🤣😂🤣😣😣
    Am still after another one from the Swale.

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    1. Typical fisherman; catches a fish - wants to catch a bigger one! I’m really not complaining, I love them all!

      Far too hot for fishing here - but it feels like the weather might break tonight - hopefully put some much needed water back in the rivers.

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  3. sorry to inform you they're hiding at night too! only 7 in 4 sessions and nothing over 6.mostly 1-2lb.keep doing what you're doing would be my advice.it's beating static.

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    1. I was wondering if you were still fishing the river?!

      It’s very weedy this year due to the amount of sunshine - I think they have plenty of places to hide. Hopefully the forecast storm will wash some of it away and put some much needed fresh water in the river. We know there are some big barbel in there - it’s just a case of finding them!

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    2. i'm dividing my time between the trent,thames and here.trying to match the venue to the weather and time available.

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    3. Hopefully heading up the Trent soon, and I really should get a Thames campaign on the go before I get distracted by the predators as it gets colder.

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  4. yes,one spot in particular that was devoid,now looks like the h.avon.you'd think that would be the obvious place to find them,but not always the case.have been busy clearing out a few blocked swims,hopefully one will grow weed again.it's always deeper than it looks!

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    1. The storm has washed a lot of the weed away, wandering about yesterday so much more of the river was fishable. And I’m sure there will be more storms to come :-)

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  5. Wish the Wensum and Bure could sustain such pests....roach are thriving though.

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    1. Pests was the wrong word! Love catching them, and I might have stumbled on a nice shoal of roach - time to break out the stick ‘n’ pin...

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