After a bit of a slow start, my season has settled into a nice groove and I’ve managed to catch (among smaller fish) 9 barbel and 40 chub to date. None of the barbel or chub have been massive, but the sport has been steady and really rewarding. All barbel and chub caught float fishing, with the majority on my 13’ Acolyte Specimen and Triton True-Pin, with a few on the TF Gear TSi float rod and same reel.
It’s been a confidence booster to be honest. On one venue I have had to really think it out and experiment a bit- Wallis cast into a gap between willows, guide the float right along the edge of the cover, hit and hold when the float goes!
It was also great to guest
@Chris Jones on a Leeds water and see him catch (we both caught well that day, but you know how it is when you take a friend!)
9 barbel and 40 chub might sound modest to some, but the vast majority of the river angling up here in North Yorkshire seems to be ledgering for barbel with the occasional chub. At the start of the season I was a bit obsessed with the idea of barbel on the float, but I’ve really enjoyed getting among the chub. I’ve discovered that trotting big bunches of maggots under a bolo is the way ahead; you catch all sorts, and maybe a barbel too
A couple of pics (I’ve not taken many as I’ve been wading most of the time!)
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