Recent content by Neil Smart

All of th All main diet for most species so yes of course, that's why bait companies replicate such attraction in their baits. It's just not very convenient having to forage for bait. My local river have a huge amount of mussel below a weir, and Chub and Barbel feast on them at night, in the...

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Ahh beat me to it 😁

Not really natural but was thinking of trying cooked mussels, just recently some clips on youtube as to their effectiveness with carp.

Yes agreed those reel fittings were very 60's kit builds.

With you on that Jon, just to think many civvies would give their right arm just to glimpse an Otter in the wild. But they are incredible and for me although can ruin a session they are now embedded into our rivers and we can hope there is now a sustainable balance. It's not what you can see...

Great thread, and if I may, there seems to be more emphasis on tackle as opposed to just going fishing with a rod and a few bits of tackle and doing the simple things well, like river craft and second guessing where that Barbel or Chub will be intercepting you bait. I see so much emphasis on...

If you have to go down the custom route fair enough, but flinging out feeders or leads on such rivers don't call for expensive gear. Korum 1.75 or 2.0 t.c 12 ft rods 4000/5000 reels all in about £400. The barbel are not fussy.

Thanks for the info Paul....Al Capone eh? I knew it lol. Darn mices, they had my holdall last season and countless nets. Good luck.

Hi Paul, Just noticed your surname of Bromilow, that was my mothers maiden name, her Dad was I believe originally from Lancashire and was a well known publican in North Wales. Anyway good luck with your renewed passion, I hope you get one soon.

The Severn despite some extra water looked a bit off Barry, not surprised you struggled. A couple of lads told me they gave up on Bridgenorth and re routed to Warks Avon. The Wye also looked the same

It was too hot by the time I got myself up, so decided to go this evening to the Warks Avon. River was low and clear but seen it worse. I managed to winkle out a lovely conditioned towards dusk, 8 lb ish, it headed straight for the rushes and I thought that's some chub, but it morphed into...

By young fish I suppose they are smaller males, well hopefully, recent years have seen larger unattached females be the main inhabitants, and a distinct lack of males. This is very encouraging, I love seeing Barbel spawning, but I haven't seen that for years, last was Teme, and the Bristol Avon.