Recent content by Tim Lawrence

There was no pot of gold, bag of barbel or even a bream at the end of this rainbow. But it didn’t brighten up a blank on the Tidal Trent.

Me too (mine though, not yours 😆) I often use the 2.5oz tip because it looks nicer than the 1.25 tc Avon top and it’s more sensitive so I can read what’s happening in my swim better. It’s a joy to use and you can feel the fight even in a small chub, yet it’s still got plenty of power and I’ve...

Barry would’ve been perfect!

That is a stunning fish, barbel of a lifetime for many, and an excellent photo. Pasted here to save people searching.

Surely the most shocking/surprising thing about this, is that it’s £35?! That’s one hell of a margin for Matrix. My digital stopwatch* cost £5.50. *yes I know it’s more ‘pure’ to don an antique wind-up pocket watch, but I don’t wear one to fish and would rather not keep using my phone to...

I’ve got a pair of Vass 700E, and I think they’re spot on. They’re fairly light and easy to walk, crouch, clamber up banks in. I’ve worn them in 25°c heat and yes you can sweat a bit, but I sweat when it’s hot anyway so it doesn’t bother me. Good value for money imho.

I fished the tidal Trent for the first time yesterday and had my first ever barbel on sweetcorn, two of them in fact. Pellets, boilies and casters didn’t get a touch.

8mm pellets are by far my most successful hookbait. More often than not I just fish one in a band, with a knotless knot hair. Rarely have problems with them coming off or breaking down, but then I rarely leave a cast in for more than 30 mins. The only other bait I’ve caught barbel on are...

Firstly, no fish is worth losing your life for. I’m lucky that I’m only 43 and still fit and healthy, but I’ll think twice about getting down steep banks where there’s a chance I could slip in to deep water. It’s all about calculated risk though, if there are trees on the way down that I can...

Even more concerning was when he casually dropped in the fact he can’t swim!

Few more recent ones of the Dearne.

Quite tempted to get one of these Fox Aquos pouches, it’s the water tight aspect that appeals. I’ve got a Midwater pouch which is very well made but I noticed water seeping in through the seems which is not good for pellets.

The Severn thread: https://barbel.co.uk/forum/threads/river-severn.19946/ Sounds like there are some nice fish coming out.

Hi David, I can’t really help with where you can night fish the Severn, it’s been years since I fished it. Might be worth asking this question in the River Severn forum in the river reports section.

Sorry to take this thread slightly off topic but Simon’s mention of a wading belt reminded me of a question I wanted to ask. I’ve got a pair of Vass chest waders, so far unused, but I’m hoping too soon. Is it advisable to use a separate belt? Someone once told me you need one but I don’t...