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IMO they should have a 26” net to hand and not put it in the keepnet. It should be weighed and let go. Although I suppose the argument there would be “it could’ve been caught again”. My local waters always shows photos of keep-nets with Barbel in and it frustrates me.

Agreed. I also think it depends on the type of rig you’re using too. In my experience: Running rig = Chub does what you say above (slow and steady). I use a long hair so think they are just “plucking” the bait in their beak-like lips and then let go when they feel the resistance of the rod top...

Yes it Agreed, it’s been really low the last few years up until Winter time. Match catches (I look at the results but don’t fish matches) are really poor which isn’t a good thing either. I used to spot the Barbel off the bridge that goes into the village around the end of May but haven’t seen...

Yes - it’s the one I had on the ‘pin.

Interesting to read the above comments from everyone. I was back on the W.Avon at the weekend and fished the same setup again and had another barbel within 45-mins. Certainly the way forward for me I think on that particular stretch.

Apologies, I probably wasn’t clear on the water level. It’s normally at 1.1m and rose 5” over the weekend so went over 1.2m and was dropping when I got there.

I was recently in the same position and wanted a new mat. I’m after a cradle type mat that was lightweight to suit my rod / bumbag / landing net style approach to fishing. As much as I don’t like Korum (separate story) I’ve gone with their “Fast Mat” as it’s super small and a decent size for...

For sure. You’ve got to be 100% confident in your knots though, which thankfully I am. Am sure the shorter hook-lengths (gone down from 2.5ft to 18”) and lighter leads (gone down from 2oz to 3/4oz) are what’s helping me catch.

Makes a change to fish it when there’s not a bloody match on !!!

Treated myself to a JW Young “Rolling Pin” last year — not exactly cheap, but I’ve always had a soft spot for anything hand-made and I’ve always believed that if you take good care of your gear, it should last a lifetime. Over the past year, I’ve mainly been using it for Chub fishing on the...

Yep, I’m half tempted to go down tomorrow to do some trotting for a few hours. I believe Heart of England purchase it and apparently they are “anti-angling” so I don’t expect it to ever be open again.

Such a shame MF is closing for good. I’m positive that the first W.Avon 20lb’er would have come from there sooner or later.

So, I’ve always been very much a 2oz lead and 3ft flouro hooklength setup when out on the river but Monday evening I was forced to change it. I decided at 5pm to head down the the W.Avon for the last hour of daylight before I I went on holiday the following day. I arrived at the bank and...

Someone got a bargain here.

Hey - do you have any photos of the Greys x2 rod holder please ?

I have a 14ft Cadence CR10 No2 for trotting duties. I partner it with a JWY Ray Walton rolling pin but they work well with a light reel. Lovely rod and well priced. That said, any 14ft by Drennan would be just as good.

I have x2, they’re as cheap as chips and bulletproof. I use them mainly for barbel when night fishing and with the accompanying snag ears. Also, I’d have no qualms buying any Delkim stuff 2nd hand either as spares are readily available.

We stayed in Hole in the Wall, Ross on Wye last year. The river is a 4-minute walk but you need to book it on the Fishing Passport (beat name = Foy Bridge). https://anglingstays.com/listing/stay-by-the-wye-the-annexe-herefordshire-wye-valley/ The swim directly over the bridge is perfect for...

My mate got charged by a bull once on the W.Avon. He had to do the same and dived into the river in the middle of October.

Always best to ring him as he’s pretty old school.