Hi, having fished the W.Avon for nearly 30 years I would say it depends entirely on the situation and conditions, not a great help I know. I will add that I have also fished the 'hard' stretches for the majority of this time, and for good reason, these stretches are quiet. BAA stretches don't typically allow night fishing and the Avon barbel are few and far between, Barton in the summer is low and clear, the barbel hide and avoid all signs of angler presence. Any disturbances just make them hide even longer and they just wait for it to get dark, as do most of the larger specimens of other species also present. My opinion based on my own experiences in these conditions is firstly to avoid the crowds and find somewhere quiet to fish. Secondly, if at all possible find the fish in one of these afore mentioned areas, and if that's not possible then choose a likely looking spot or one with previous form. Thirdly, use bait that lasts a long time in the water, not pellets that have broken down to nothing in an hour, use quality boilies, whole, chopped, but in big enough pieces that they will last for hours and not be eaten by small roach, dace and chub. A good handful is enough if you know it too big to be demolished by 'small fry'. Hook bait needs to be of similar ilk, big enough to avoid nuisance fish and hard enough to last 5-6 hours minimum without going soft (high quality hard hookers will last 12+ hours and still be letting of a strong scent trail when you reel it in). Lastly, cast once, back lead your line as flat to the deck as you can get it, as far from the lead as you can get it, this is very dependant on the specifics of the swim. Now sit back, off the skyline, not on the edge of the bank, and wait until you catch something or its time to go home. I tell myself that every cast reduces your chances of catching a fish, it doesn't increase it. Supple braid is your friend as the fish don't care about it, and it doesn't spook them, it feels like weed or river grass and it sits close to the deck. You need 100% confident in tackle, bait and overall presentation otherwise you'll want to cast again and then again and your chances will diminish. Last of my own learnings on the W.Avon, you are fishing for a single fish and your feeding 1-2 fish (unless your camping somewhere for 24hrs+). This is just my approach to barbel fishing in summer conditions on the W.Avon, largely based on 4-6 hour evening sessions, developed over many years that seems to provide the most consistent of the inconsistent sport which is barbel fishing on the W.Avon. Others will certainly have different ideas and experiences, taking it all in and developing your own style and approach to get results is what makes fishing great. Tight Lines.
