Dan and Dad Bill first barbel

Dan had been in touch in the winter asking me to guide him and his Dad Bill on the river Wye for barbel. Could I provide a birthday voucher for Bill to spend on this day out.

He also wanted to buy Bill a new barbel rod and could I recommend one. I had no doubt the Fox range of barbel rods are excellent value of money and in the end I think he chose the Fox duo barbel rod with 1.75 and 2.25 t/c tips. Perfect.

I suggested they stay in the Ferndale House B&B in Lydbrook as they do some special angler rates. Everyone who has stayed there have said such great things about the place.

I arranged to meet them early in the morning. To say they were excited would be an understatement. Both had never fished for barbel before so it’s a steep learning curve for them. We started off using my tackle as it was already set up and ready to go.

The usual West Country pellet and feeder mix was used. I showed them the end tackle and how to set the rigs. However we would cover the knots later in the day.

We fished two rods and took it in turns to land fish.

Bill was first on the rods and it didn’t take him too long before he hooked a powerful barbel that fought really hard on the 12lb line and 2.25 t/c rods. Bill did a great job of playing the fish.

Once it was safely unhooked and weighed Bill did the nursing of the barbel back in the water while it recovered. I told both that this is a must in barbel fishing. Too many times I’ve seen people release them too soon and they turn up almost destine to die.

Two more barbel came very quickly both very small ones which I’ve not seen before on this stretch. One was about 1lb and the other was about 2.5lbs.

Dan was on the rods and it took a while for the next one to show up. There was a fair amount of banter about how long it took. It was well worth it though.

The rod belted around with the free spool screaming away and I said to Dan I think that will be a bite then.

The barbel was very powerful and fought really well taking line from the spool and diving deep. It’s here where you need to be in control of the fish as they can dive and cut the line on the rocks. Dan did a fantastic job of playing and landing the fish at 8lbs 14oz.

My normal practice is to unhook the fish quickly resting it in the net in the river whilst the weighing stuff and camera is readied. Once everything is OK then I lift the fish from the water going through the process of weighing and camera work is completed. Then it’s time for holding the barbel and looking after it before releasing it.

It was now Bills turn on the rods and soon he was playing a hard fighting barbel that made his arm ache for sure. Barbel number 5 was soon in the net after a lengthy fight. This too looked a decent barbel. On the scales it went 7lbs 8oz so another great photo opportunity.

Next fish was a chub of 2lbs 13oz for Dan.

With Bill back on the rods his next fish was even better. The rod curve showed this and the barbel took line a good few times as it used the current to it’s advantage. Bill played the fish well and his rod arm ached again. The fish was in excellent condition and came in at 8lbs 3oz.

They were both saying it was the very best fishing they had experienced. Slowly during the day they started to use their own rods and gear as they were fishing the same stretch the day after. The barbel continued to feed throughout the day and another 4 more came their way.

Dan then had a battered chub however it was 4lbs 14oz and his first big chub.

In the end they finished at 7pm and with the barbel still feeding it was an excellent day. I think they were both knackered!

In the end they were casting and rebaiting and pretty much self sufficient. All I did was make tea and offer encouragement on casting. Those who know me understand that accuracy in casting is my main priority and I give comments on each cast, gold, silver,bronze and cast again. Only very occasionally do I give a platinum comment.

I had a great time with these two guy’s and I think they will be barbel fishing a little more often.