The River Lugg

One idea for my next summer challenge is a River Lugg barbel (not an easy task). Having never fished The Lugg, Dave from the excellent blog From The Banks Of The Wye, very kindly offered to show me round. And doesn't it look good; gravels, deep bends and overhanging trees.

After a couple of hours Dave had to head off - but with 2 hours left on the clock I was going to stay and try and land my first Lugg fish. The target was a chub and freelined meat or bread the method. And the first fish to hit the breadflake - a perch! Was not expecting that.

But never one to miss an opportunity I switched to a little curl-tail lure and went wandering. Eleven more perch found the net - several around the pound mark. And I would have had more if I'd have had a softer rod and braid - missing and bumping as many as I caught.

I even managed to hook a little pike but it shook free at the net. All of which means it's on the radar this winter - hopefully catching a few predators while scouting for barbel next summer. Thanks Dave - I can't wait to get back on it - hopefully see you there.

Miles & Miles

Well I've finally worn through my fishing boots - it took 13 years and thousands of miles! Berghaus Hillmaster II Gtx - at £124 that works out at less than £10 per year - hell yeah I got some more!!

Escapee

Afternoon chucking a lure about and two lost jacks before the one above stayed on the hook. Then a proper pike hit my Storm Bleak, cracking fight before the first double of the season was in the net.

Then it went wrong; unhooked in the net I went and set the camera & scales up - returning just in time to see my net slide in and my prize escape. About 12lb - but no weight or photo - BUGGER!

Carp Challenge 2026

Target: 50 carp, including 10 doubles. With the hot weather hindering the barbel fishing I thought the Summer Challenge should be focused on carp. The 50 carp element was easily beaten with the help of a commerical carp pond, so the challenge became about the doubles.

	Carp:	233	(77 non-commerical)
	Doubles:	27	(to 15lb 4oz)

I landed carp from 4 venues (3 ponds & one from the Small River) and had doubles from all the ponds. Great fun (and I may add some more yet depending on the weather). Next summer I might have to put what I've learnt into practice & try and track down a twenty. Doubles below ↓

Clouded & Jacked

Twenty-six Clouded Yellow butterflies spotted - beautiful!


And a couple of jacks on lures to kick off the pike season - fantastic!

Wandering Water

Just wandering about on the Small River, flicking a piece of meat at the fish I spot. Nine barbel & 6 chub for company - lovely!

Running Wild

It's good to be back on running water...


Quick afternoon mission to the Small River...


And 15 barbel (mostly 4-6lb) and 4 chub (to 4lb) found the net...


Including this little mutant with no pelvic fins. Love a mutant fish!

Freaky Farm

Last trip to The Farm Pond before hitting the rivers - although I will be back later in the year after those perch (and possibly a winter carp). Three carp fell for my bloodworm pop-up (I know, getting technical), including the freaky mirror at 8lb 0oz. Right, off to running water...

The Puddle X

Last trip of the year to The Puddle (probably). And a couple of carp - including double #27 at 11lb 8oz - to wrap up! Tricky little pond but 17 carp including 8 doubles slipped up. Lots to think about - I'll be back...

Rain, Glorious Rain

It's raining. Proper rain! I know I'll soon be complaing about endless floods - but the rivers are desperate for it right now. And while I'm waiting for the water to find it's way into the rivers - a few more carp between the storms to wrap up the summer season. Lovely.






Double #26 (above) at 10lb 12oz

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Meanwhile James has been continuing his barbel 40 River Double Challenge - double number 33 on the scorecard - could it be a new river record? Blog post is here.