Friday 6 November 2020

Keep Calm...


And Go Fishing. We can still go fishing in Lockdown 2.0 - until restrictions are tightened anyway. So a walk to the river chasing down my new barbel target - and 5 barbel plus a bonus chub found the net. Might not have local pike but I'm lucky to have the barbel!

958/1000

18 comments:

  1. Shouldn't the barbel be wearing a mask?

    Actually, we should all mask up for a selfie with fish as a reminder of this err, challenging year.

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    1. I had the mask in my pocket and thought I’d pop it on, like you said as a reminder. The #fishinginmasks trend starts here :-)

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  2. lack of social distancing between you and the Barbel!! When I fished for them they were defo more than 2 metres away from me at all times haha

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    1. It’s fine, the barbel wasn’t breathing on me! It’s getting within the last 2 meters of them that’s the tricky bit.

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  3. by the way.fishing is legitimate exercise.you are allowed to sea fish if you live 70 miles from the coast.the statement says,if you don't travel too far.i don't call 30 miles too far.don't limit yourself!.check the angling trust website.

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    1. I’ve been watching the Angling Trust site and you’re right, it’s almost fishing as normal (rule of two anglers and an undefined reasonable distance). I will be back out chasing those pike - just didn’t want to do it on week one of lockdown :-)

      Have you been out? And more importantly have you been catching?

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    2. yes,the trent has not been kind and is out by train for some time.been getting to grips on a thames syndicate.6 complete blanks,3 pb carp-18,19,22,and 3 barbel 10-13,12-6,and 15-7(my second best barbel).all the fish coming in 3 hectic sessions,also losing 2 carp.

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    3. good luck to you,but i've found the little river hard going this season.nothing bigger than 6lb,no more than 3 in a session-i like to sit down and nightfish.not the reward i was expecting for clearing out 3 former hotspots.you may have noticed my handywork!so i've decided to go big or go home.

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    4. A lot of work, not many fish - but big ones so worth the effort! Especially another 15+ barbel!!

      The little river is changing in relation to size of barbel, the average size is far smaller and there seems to be a lot more of them - very few in the 7+ range now - but all rivers move in cycles, hopefully some of these will grow on to future doubles.

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    5. But once I’ve cracked my Small River target I’m going to target a Thames double - and I really will be starting from scratch, plenty of research and blanks I’m sure.

      Good luck with the rest of the season - let me know how you get on...

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    6. you too.it was pot luck.just put in the hours doing the perceived right thing.there are no hot swims/times/methods.you're fishing for nomads that can navigate locks and travel miles.

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    7. Step one will just be tracking down a barbel of any size to start me off, I’ve only seen barbel in the weirs when pike fishing - and you’re not allowed to fish the Thames weirs this season.

      I’ve heard of them coming from other sections but mostly at night - and I’m going to make things difficult for myself chasing down a daytime fish... But I’ll do a lot more research before hitting the riverbank...

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  4. Good stuff! I managed a couple of trips to the wye today and Friday for the first time this season. Slow going though, just a jack and a low double first thing on Friday and a blank today. It was busy too, seems as though everyone’s as keen as ever to be on the bank!

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    1. Always good to get a double on the scoreboard early season. Hoping to get on The Wye this winter - so leave one for me! But keep me informed and good luck!!

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    2. Yeah can’t complain - just nice to be back piking. It’s often a bit hit and miss early season. Excellent - haha I’ll do my best, hopefully catch you on the bank at some point.

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    3. I’m going to have to find a double somewhere near here in case the lockdown gets extended - but hopefully see you on The Wye...

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  5. it's a mystery where the 7lb+ have gone.unless they're being taken,they're beyond predation,and i'm unaware of any major pollution.

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    1. Haven’t seen any dead fish, I know it gets poached but if it was getting poached to that extent one of the ‘regulars’ would have seen something?! As you said - it’s a mystery!

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