Recent content by Steve King

In the mid 80s I joined a club that leased a stretch of the Kennet. I had never caught a barbel, and really wanted to! I spent nearly every Sunday fishing for barbel, but mainly caught chub and roach. One day near the end of the season, I had a most fearsome take and only just caught the rod...

I never use a trolley or barrow for barbel fishing, but for some other fishing situations (e.g. a match on Clatterclote Reservoir) that involve a long walk and are flat I use an Aldi 4 wheel trolley! I found single wheeled barrows unstable and just could not get on with them as you have to lift...

You can recreate the experience at home! Just sit on an uncomfortable chair with an aquarium over your head!! Seriously though I find my Defender pretty comfortable, especially since raising the seat on "Mud Rails" and removing the bulkhead behind the seats (and fitting a bar to replace the...

I bought my first Defender in 2004 and only changed it (for another Defender!) in 2011 when the LEZ changed as I was living in London at the time! Ex utility 110 models with the van body are the cheapest, but you need to know what you are looking at, because chassis/bulkhead rust can be...

RIP to a barbel angler that (as far as I know) I never met. When I lived in London I used to fish the Kennet regularly and it is possible our paths (or even lines!) crossed at sometime! Donation for a plaque/whatever made by PayPal. I don't see a need to close the thread.

I would like to know how you "take the water apart"?

Very sad news.

Try soaking in a solution of Jeyes Fluid and rinsing thoroughly.

I have had one arm of a triangular net suddenly collapse when netting a barbel. Fortunately the other arm stayed put & I landed the fish without any further problem. I have two spoon type landing nets and both of those have had need of a spot of glue to fix arms back in the base.

Good news!

Late one season on the Teme I had an out of condition salmon on luncheon meat! I didn't weigh the salmon, but I reckon it was about 10lb or so.

If I buy two will I catch twice as many barbel?

My first day this season was on the Teme and I blanked - not so much as a knock. Just had two days on the Severn and another complete blank! I also managed to break the tip of my favourite barbel rod and snap off my car radio aerial on some overhanging branches! Oh, and the Chinese takeaway we...

I normally set a time and then gradually clear away and tidy up before reeling in. Sometimes though you have a sudden feeling that you have been doing it wrong all day and a sudden switch of tactics, bait or where you are casting to has results.

I once caught a spark plug and another time I had a Police Evidence Bag (the latter gave quite a good account of itself thanks to the current!)