James and Mike his Dad on the river Wye

Please read the previous 4 blogs

I had guided James and his friend Chris a few weeks previous on the river Wye. They had both caught some good fish.

10lbs 2oz dream

Chris 7lbs 12oz

So James had given his Dad (Mike) a birthday gift as a voucher for a days guiding on the river Wye. Now Mike is no stranger to barbel fishing and has caught a few before. In previous years he had been a successful match angler.

So We met up at 7.30am in the morning and I showed Mike the rigs and made up the bait again the West Country bait firm. I always wonder what’s in for the day. I was so surprised that not many barbel came our way. By 9.30am we had only had two.

However when you know that the method works and you have one of the best baits in the country then it’s only a matter of time. 300 canoes came and went by and again we had some great banter. What anglers should think about is that for most of the time these people in the canoes have never picked up a paddle before!

The sun shone all day and some lovely ladies passed us by in the canoes wearing only skimpy clothes. Enough said!

Back to fishing.

Mike landed some great barbel all between 6-7lbs.

7lb barbel for Mike

The barbel came back onto the feed at 3.30pm and fed frequently.

The barbel continued to grace the net. but no huge fish. just look at the sun shinning through the fins of this small barbel, stunning!

I needed to be away by about 7pm so left Mike and James fishing themselves. They went on to catch a couple of other barbel to 8lbs 8oz which was caught by Mike. Probably not his largest but a great fish.

I think they both enjoyed the day and will be back for sure.

Happy days!