Anglers mail article

[Neil Maidment]

I was introduced to dropping hemp into the Dorset Stour and Hants Avon in the late 1960's early 1970's. But, back then, it was a totally different situation to the one barbel fishers face today on those two rivers.

It was almost a team effort as we arrived on the river but I was young and very wet behind the ears and often had the task of "laying the table". First job was to introduce the hemp, typically via home made droppers, in several likely spots spread over a fair distance, perhaps two fields worth of river. Only then would we get tackled up and sometimes alternate between the spots. It was a very effective "method" on the Littledown Estate (now Throop Bt3) especially when hemp was banned on Throop (not that the ban was adhered to by some!).

I had my first ever Stour barbel from Littledown in 1971 after the above process.

The second image is of Alan Sellars, also at Littledown, a couple of years earlier.

The same process was implemented on the Avon, particularly at Sopley Millstream, during that same period, and proved to be very successful.

Third image is of my late uncle with an excellent Sopley barbel.

Fourth image is me with a 9:14 barbel from Sopley.

I continued to typically use the same basic method throughout the 1970's on both Stour and Avon.

Fifth image is me in 1976 with a 11:06 Sopley fish (spot the hemp seeds on the tail and fins!). That venue produced a fair number of massive fish throughout the mid/late 1970's including a big 12 and a 13.

All a dim and distant memory now!

As an aside, many decades later, when I was trotting on Throop, I'm pretty sure it was Pete R. who told me to catapult my hemp and caster much higher up into the air to create a "bigger sound" as they hit the water. Superb advice!

 

[Howard Cooke]

It’s just a silly thing to suggest let alone write about. Like many people, I don’t fish for barbel at night out of pure choice (although over the years there are aspects of it that are very appealing), it’s because work and home commitments mean fishing late in the day is my only chance of fishing. I think in discussions and debates in relation to various aspects of fishing we do often come back to a single anchor point- if you are respecting the fish, the environment, the rules and your fellow man, fish in whatever way suits you. And the beauty of river fishing is it’s diversity and there just isn’t one way to catch a fish. On some rivers adjacent swims can require a very different approach. Isn’t that why we love it?

 

[Rob Paylor]

@Stephen Crowhurst absolutely mate. I hadn't read the article actually I was just making a comment in reference to the "if you can't see it, I won't fish for it" suggestion. My next series of challenges, when I get bored of chucking feeders into deep holes, will involve more intimate rivers and thus tactics. Although in my defence, the idea of chucking a feeder every 20 minutes is one I don't understand. I fished 3 hours yesterday evening. One chuck with the top rod and just two on the bottom. One fish, was happy. I was taught early on to sit on my hands a bit (unless conditions dictate otherwise, debris etc)

 

[Alex Gowney]

It’s just a silly thing to suggest let alone write about. Like many people, I don’t fish for barbel at night out of pure choice (although over the years there are aspects of it that are very appealing), it’s because work and home commitments mean fishing late in the day is my only chance of fishing. I think in discussions and debates in relation to various aspects of fishing we do often come back to a single anchor point- if you are respecting the fish, the environment, the rules and your fellow man, fish in whatever way suits you. And the beauty of river fishing is it’s diversity and there just isn’t one way to catch a fish. On some rivers adjacent swims can require a very different approach. Isn’t that why we love it?

I'd like to fish in any way I like Howard (night fishing) but sadly some a lot of clubs (BAA. Leamington) petty rules don't allow it.

 

[Phil Nixon]

I know Pete well and I'm happy for him to fish in daylight, that's his choice, he should be happy for people to fish when they want as long as it is legal .
Apart from my trips to the Wye this season I have only fished my local waters 5 times this season, Pete fishes them nearly every day, in 3 days he has fished more hours than I have fished all season, that's his choice and I respect that.
There was no mis representation by the press, they send a proof copy to you to check before going to print.
Every angler has his way of fishing and once again if it is within the rules it's fine by me, there is no right or wrong way when it comes to barbel fishing, there is just what makes you happy.
Regarding petty rules Alex sometimes it is what the owners want when the lease is agreed, for example we (Ringwood) have leased the fishing on Throop for 21 years, during that time the off time on beat 2 has always been 1 hour after sunset. We have just negotiated another 21 year lease with the estate and from September 1st until the end of the season the off time is 21-30, a great benefit for our members but it took us a long time to get it.

 

[Graham Elliott]

Bob.
I never knew an angler who could spot fish better than Martin Hooper.

I thought I was ok until he started saying to me about the fish he could see when he was fishing the Kennet. I couldn't see them usually but he was always right.

He was on the river when I had my first 15.
Amazingly he had not had any barbel over 13lb despite having had a well respected book published.

He had a 15 about 2 months later, missing out the 14lber.

A fairly unusual chap.

Severals. Was that on the first bend by the electric pylon down from the bridge. Some deeper holes there. Had six myself there circa 1973

 

[Bob Edwards]

I bumped into Pete Reading earlier.I asked him if he was staying late and he laughed.
I ve upset a few people haven’t i I think were his next words.Brilliant factual article Pete but some of the language and criticism mate.I think is what I said.He admits that some of the wording was provocative and told the Editor who apparently left it all in.So make of that what you want.
To be fair he was trying to get across that he didn’t agree with night fishing on smaller rivers like the Kennet ,Loddon etc especially in high summer when oxygen levels are at their lowest in the middle of the night and therefore leaving a captured Barbel at its most vulnerable.
Also releasing the fish at this time of day was leaving them vulnerable to predation.
I mentioned that a lot of people have no choice but to fish into dark because of limited time etc and he agreed that he used to fish a bit later himself when his time was more limited or if hed travelled a fair way.
Personally ive got a lot time for the bloke, given me a few pointers.
Anyway this is Bob Edwards signing off for BFW news

Joe regarding the Stef Horak confusion ive managed to find the article he did about the Severn it was in CAT October 2001 issue 2 where he states I quote “Then after we had baited up,we could then go back for the rest of our gear.This I believe was the start of the bait and wait tactics that I now use for my barbel .Like a lot of good methods it was discovered by chance.”
He also says at the end.”All these fish were caught in the early nineties”
The guy he was fishing with was Pete Kettel.
I remember when I read it thinking well I know people who were doing it earlier .Just found it not to necessarily prove me right but I was starting to think id imagined it .Also looking at the photos if it had been the late seventies early eighties he would look a lot younger.
Whatever happened to Stef anyway maybe he got that modelling contract he always wanted.Probably on a yacht in St Tropez giving David Gandy posing tips.

Miss the old CAT mags Stefs articles were the mutts along with Phil smith and the occasional one by Pete Reading

Love the old photos Neil great stuff

By the way the first session that I described we used feeders that day to get a bed down but it wasn’t long after that I started using a dropper.
34 years later and counting still using them

As for Martin Hooper Graham yeah he was a character I knew Dave Grafham who was the guy that helped him out when he had that disagreement with the canoeists. Apparently when the police turned up they looked at them and asked Martin what weapon hed used and he held out his fists and said “These”

Brilliant

 

[Bob Edwards]

Ive just thought of another incident involving Dave Grafham. He was fishing Frensham Great pond alone one night when a load of bikers turned up and started having a party in the car park .He was awoken by a right old racket and ran up to the car park to be greeted with a bonfire and a load of Hells Angels off of their tits kicking the shite out of his motor.

He saw them off with an Efgeeco rod rest.

They just dont make anglers like that anymore !

 

[Joe Winstanley]

Thanks Bob,

Kettel - that’s the one. I hope his fishing mates called him Kelly.

Re Stef, he moved back to the Leicester area quite a few years back, he’s still getting out once or twice a week and catching a lot of big fish. The majority of his barbel fishing has been focused on the Trent the last 10 years or so and he’s still fishing a lot for other species, I gather him and his fishing partner Rob are on with targeting big crucians at the moment. He still tells jokes that would make even Bernard Manning blush..

Next time I speak to the Leicester Lothario I’ll ask him about the bait and wait, but I won’t mention the failed modelling career though, it’s a bit of a sore point that one..

I do miss CAT magazine, I don’t bother with any of the monthlies nowadays.

Martin Hooper - legend. My Dad gave me a copy of Specimen Angling by Design for my 16th birthday. Still got it knocking around somewhere. I can only guess what happened with the canoeists?!

 

[Graham Elliott]

By all accounts they were SAS boat squadron. Not a good idea.

I last saw Stef fishing the Kennet about 9 years ago with Phil Smith, ear plugs in listening to his Kindle. He caught.

 

[Ady Brayshaw]

There is absolutely no problem, in stating opinions that are vaguely factual, and for the greater good. More of that bring it on. However, when there is a personal agenda, or an opinion based on what may be in that person's best interests, then it's out there to be criticised.

Personal experience this season, has been that the barbel have been much easier to catch during the daylight hours. I generally fish deep and wide rivers where fish spotting in stream weed is a non-starter. Should I be saying that daylight fishing should be discouraged as it's unsporting and too convenient/easy?

 

[Ady Brayshaw]

I bumped into Pete Reading earlier.I asked him if he was staying late and he laughed.
I ve upset a few people haven’t i I think were his next words.Brilliant factual article Pete but some of the language and criticism mate.I think is what I said.He admits that some of the wording was provocative and told the Editor who apparently left it all in.So make of that what you want.
To be fair he was trying to get across that he didn’t agree with night fishing on smaller rivers like the Kennet ,Loddon etc especially in high summer when oxygen levels are at their lowest in the middle of the night and therefore leaving a captured Barbel at its most vulnerable.
Also releasing the fish at this time of day was leaving them vulnerable to predation.
I mentioned that a lot of people have no choice but to fish into dark because of limited time etc and he agreed that he used to fish a bit later himself when his time was more limited or if hed travelled a fair way.
Personally ive got a lot time for the bloke, given me a few pointers.
Anyway this is Bob Edwards signing off for BFW news

Joe regarding the Stef Horak confusion ive managed to find the article he did about the Severn it was in CAT October 2001 issue 2 where he states I quote “Then after we had baited up,we could then go back for the rest of our gear.This I believe was the start of the bait and wait tactics that I now use for my barbel .Like a lot of good methods it was discovered by chance.”
He also says at the end.”All these fish were caught in the early nineties”
The guy he was fishing with was Pete Kettel.
I remember when I read it thinking well I know people who were doing it earlier .Just found it not to necessarily prove me right but I was starting to think id imagined it .Also looking at the photos if it had been the late seventies early eighties he would look a lot younger.
Whatever happened to Stef anyway maybe he got that modelling contract he always wanted.Probably on a yacht in St Tropez giving David Gandy posing tips.

Miss the old CAT mags Stefs articles were the mutts along with Phil smith and the occasional one by Pete Reading

Love the old photos Neil great stuff

By the way the first session that I described we used feeders that day to get a bed down but it wasn’t long after that I started using a dropper.
34 years later and counting still using them

As for Martin Hooper Graham yeah he was a character I knew Dave Grafham who was the guy that helped him out when he had that disagreement with the canoeists. Apparently when the police turned up they looked at them and asked Martin what weapon hed used and he held out his fists and said “These”

Brilliant

Fishing in high temperatures in the summer gives it some context Bob. Can't disagree with him there .

Steff H was fishing a swim near me earlier on in the season. Fishing during the day . I don't know him, nor have met him, just recognised him when he walked past with all his gear and next to the car later on in the day.

 

[Terry Harman]

Don’t think there is anything special about bait and wait ..carp anglers have been doing it since the beginning of time ..It’s just observation fishing .. i fish to whatever I think the conditions command if I can see barbel I will stalk them. Fishing the upper lea recently I noticed the bigger fish would come close in just before dark so I started fishing 6” from the bank it was very successful it’s just a case of observation .. the bait and wait approach really needs a good head of barbel in the river would like to see how Pete would get on with that approach on the gt ouse
I take it it’s acceptable to fish into dark in the winter when it’s been pissing down with rain all day... people have been fishing nights since fishing began I’ve never read so much drivel in my life (apart from the Hampshire Avon study) as long as you are fishing safe no one should be dictating to other anglers how and when they fish

 

[Jamie Warren]

Heres a question that I think is still on topic gents Bait and Wait or Hemping Who invented it ?
I seem to remember an article by Stef Horak where he claimed to of invented it on the Severn in the mid nineties when fishing a swim that was some distance from the car.He apparently would carry his bait buckets and rods to the swim ,dropper in a load of hemp before returning to the car to fetch the rest of his gear.When he started fishing he got instant action and realised that leaving the fish to just have a munch undisturbed had primed his swim.
I also remember going to an old NASA conference I think in 1988 and listening to the late great Tony Miles giving a talk on barbel and describing how he would bait a couple of spots on the Cherwell all day before finally casting out at dusk.
My own earliest experience though was also my first Barbel. It was the summer of 1986 and I was still a keen carper but also getting keen on other species.I had recently won some prizes with my local Pompey club with a 2.06 roach and believe it or not a 4.14 chub from a stretch of the Stour the club had access to .But I was still after my first Barbel when a carper mate Pete Fry managed the unthinkable and caught a double from Severals.
When I heard this I asked him for a few pointers and he said he would take me down and show me his approach .He also told me what I would need bait and tackle wise .Three pints of maggots ,three pints of hemp ,Large blockend feeders and size 12 super specialists.
He showed me a swim on a bend where hed caught a few from before and felt sure they would be on that day.The river was gin clear but because of the depth of water we were unable to make out the bottom and were effectively fishing blind .This is where it got weird, he said to mix the hemp and casters equally into the feeder and cast into a run in the raununculus every ten minutes for about an hour and a half and, oh yeah, don’t put on a hooklink.The look on my face must have been a picture cos he proceeded downstream to another spot having a right old chuckle.
Anyway the guy knew his stuff (still does) and I did what I was told. After the hour and a half he was back in my swim where he told me to not cast out for half an hour .I recast, still with no hooklink, and we watched the rod top .After a few minutes it started giving a few knocks and Pete said. "Theyre out there mate".
I finally cast out with two maggots and trembling hands ,the rod didn’t even make it to the rest .Wallop I was into my first Boris of about six pounds and the love affair began. Not with Pete ,the barbel. I couldn’t be homosexual , I don’t like pain.
Two more of similar size soon followed before he told me to rest the swim for half an hour.I ended the day with six I think before running out of bait.
It was around this time that we started to hear about some bloke called Hooper who was combining Hemp with corn and using a dropper to great effect.
So there you go guys anybody know of anybody doing it any earlier ?
Bloody Hell that was almost an article I wonder if Anglers Mail might be interested ,no probably not.
Didn’t slag anybody off.

Wonderful memories right there, and a good read

 

[Stephen Crowhurst]

@Terry Harman
“the bait and wait approach really needs a good head of barbel in the river would like to see how Pete would get on with that approach on the gt ouse”
I don’t think many people would consider the H.Avon a river with a good head of fish. There’s pockets of them and some good anglers but in general the density is pretty low these days sadly.

 

[Terry Harman]

The H Avon is not prolific but has a few more than the Ouse ...I would hazard a guess at one barbel
Every 2 miles

 

[Stephen Crowhurst]

The H Avon is not prolific but has a few more than the Ouse ...I would hazard a guess at one barbel
Every 2 miles

There’s unprolific and there’s ball busting. Sounds like the Ouse is the latter. I’m off out for my weekly Avon riverside sit, I mean blank.

 

[Ste Whybrow]

To be honest read the article and thought the guy came across a bit pompous thanks Ste

 

[Darren Hawen]

I see Mr Pope has responded to Mr Reading in the Anglers Mail letters page this week....

 

[Alex Gowney]

I know Pete well and I'm happy for him to fish in daylight, that's his choice, he should be happy for people to fish when they want as long as it is legal .
Apart from my trips to the Wye this season I have only fished my local waters 5 times this season, Pete fishes them nearly every day, in 3 days he has fished more hours than I have fished all season, that's his choice and I respect that.
There was no mis representation by the press, they send a proof copy to you to check before going to print.
Every angler has his way of fishing and once again if it is within the rules it's fine by me, there is no right or wrong way when it comes to barbel fishing, there is just what makes you happy.

Regarding petty rules Alex sometimes it is what the owners want when the lease is agreed,

for example we (Ringwood) have leased the fishing on Throop for 21 years, during that time the off time on beat 2 has always been 1 hour after sunset. We have just negotiated another 21 year lease with the estate and from September 1st until the end of the season the off time is 21-30, a great benefit for our members but it took us a long time to get it.

Yes it is the owners sometimes who want no night fishing Phil, but more often it's a match orientated club committee who make the rules. BAA own a lot of their waters, Wasperton for example, and have no reason to impose a night ban other than because the committee members don't want to night fish nobody else can either. There is never any common sense or compromise with these people. Fishing could be allowed until midnight in the summer and 8 o'clock in winter. Nobody is on the water overnight and people get o fish the first couple of hours of dark.