Nigel Whittingham
Senior Member & Supporter
I’ve always fished rivers (mainly the Severn but occasionally , the Wye & local Dane). For years, if planning a trip i’ve looked for a tinge of colour after high water and trying to catch it falling to expect the best success ( in general & usually stick float fishing for any species). Barbel fishing is relatively new to me over the last 5-6 years but my mind still works this way and i’m at my most expectant in these conditions.
However, i find Barbel easier to catch (or locate at least) when flooded as they congregate out of the main flow but my best catch was a few weeks ago in a ‘classic’ coloured, rapidly falling river (dropped 10” in 6 hours whilst fishing)
Watching videos, reading books/forums, i hear “Great! The river is rising rapidly, hopefully this will turn them on to feed” or “ the river is dropping nicely, i expect to catch”
Basically, rising, dropping, steady, clear, coloured, warm & cold all seem to be the best conditions!!
Does this indicate that in reality there are no ‘best’ conditions and they’ll feed at any time?
I know there are no definitive answers in fishing, every day is different and the fish dont stick to rules but what are most peoples thoughts? Is there a pattern or are they always worth a chuck for?
However, i find Barbel easier to catch (or locate at least) when flooded as they congregate out of the main flow but my best catch was a few weeks ago in a ‘classic’ coloured, rapidly falling river (dropped 10” in 6 hours whilst fishing)
Watching videos, reading books/forums, i hear “Great! The river is rising rapidly, hopefully this will turn them on to feed” or “ the river is dropping nicely, i expect to catch”
Basically, rising, dropping, steady, clear, coloured, warm & cold all seem to be the best conditions!!
Does this indicate that in reality there are no ‘best’ conditions and they’ll feed at any time?
I know there are no definitive answers in fishing, every day is different and the fish dont stick to rules but what are most peoples thoughts? Is there a pattern or are they always worth a chuck for?