Barbel fishing in France / Belgium /Holland

[Gavin Burt]

Bit of a thread-bounce on this one as am looking to fish the Meuse later this year, likely July / August.

Has anyone fished in Fumay at all please ? I came across a really a good YouTube video (Paul Floyd) and it looks a nice spot, not too far to travel to by car and some camping areas / hotels close by.

Whilst I’m not asking to be put on any specific fishing spots, can I ask are barbel in abundance around this area please ? I’m under no illusion they aren’t the easiest to catch, especially as I fish the W.Avon.

The only reason I ask is I’ve been fishing abroad before in an area which is “stacked with fish” only to waste 4 days holiday and god known how much on hire car / hotels / tackle / bait to catch next to nothing.

I’ve read the excellent post by @Clive Shipman which gives a wealth of information. Thanks for that Clive.

 

[Jim Gregory]

Bit of a thread-bounce on this one as am looking to fish the Meuse later this year, likely July / August.

Has anyone fished in Fumay at all please ? I came across a really a good YouTube video (Paul Floyd) and it looks a nice spot, not too far to travel to by car and some camping areas / hotels close by.

Whilst I’m not asking to be put on any specific fishing spots, can I ask are barbel in abundance around this area please ? I’m under no illusion they aren’t the easiest to catch, especially as I fish the W.Avon.

The only reason I ask is I’ve been fishing abroad before in an area which is “stacked with fish” only to waste 4 days holiday and god known how much on hire car / hotels / tackle / bait to catch next to nothing.

I’ve read the excellent post by @Clive Shipman which gives a wealth of information. Thanks for that Clive.

Hi Gavin, me and my mate fished the meuse, in fumay, 5yrs ago , just before Ade sold up, we caught barbel everywhere, but upstream from fumay, there is a hydro pumping station, we had over 50 barbel through the night there.
Nothing huge. 5-9 lb bracket..
Lots of small catfish to maggot's up to 5lb.
Lots of bream.
And outside Ades house some good carp up to 30lb.

 

[Lewis Baldwin]

Bit of a thread-bounce on this one as am looking to fish the Meuse later this year, likely July / August.

Has anyone fished in Fumay at all please ? I came across a really a good YouTube video (Paul Floyd) and it looks a nice spot, not too far to travel to by car and some camping areas / hotels close by.

Whilst I’m not asking to be put on any specific fishing spots, can I ask are barbel in abundance around this area please ? I’m under no illusion they aren’t the easiest to catch, especially as I fish the W.Avon.

The only reason I ask is I’ve been fishing abroad before in an area which is “stacked with fish” only to waste 4 days holiday and god known how much on hire car / hotels / tackle / bait to catch next to nothing.

I’ve read the excellent post by @Clive Shipman which gives a wealth of information. Thanks for that Clive.

Hi Gavin,

I've fished Fumay a few years ago mate. I went for carp when Ade Kiddell had his place but all I caught was loads of barbel Went with my dad and he had plenty aswell.

I ended up knocking the carp fishing on the head and barbel fished. Exactly the same as most fish the Severn and Trent and the fishing was very good. Had a lot of fish in the 4-6lb bracket and one of almost 9lbs (which is considered a big fish for the Meuse I believe).

Thanks

Lewis

 

[Jim Gregory]

Hi Gavin,

I've fished Fumay a few years ago mate. I went for carp when Ade Kiddell had his place but all I caught was loads of barbel Went with my dad and he had plenty aswell.

I ended up knocking the carp fishing on the head and barbel fished. Exactly the same as most fish the Severn and Trent and the fishing was very good. Had a lot of fish in the 4-6lb bracket and one of almost 9lbs (which is considered a big fish for the Meuse I believe).

Thanks

Lewis

Was Ade still offering a couple of barbel rods for anyone catching a 10lber Lewis.

 

[Lewis Baldwin]

Was Ade still offering a couple of barbel rods for anyone catching a 10lber Lewis.

Hi Jim,

Not that I recall mate.

It's a shame he sold up as it was a great location and his set up for visiting anglers was superb.

 

[Mark Anderson]

Hi men ,

On a reccy trip around Saint Junien on the river Vienne I talked ( lose sense of talk ) to a local angler for a while as he sat fishing for them , well anything really . He confirmed loads of barbel all along the river , and other than town centers they are deserted. It's a fair way down , so its the Meuse further north of its for a shorter trip . IV got a trip planned to a public water in April where I can nip over to look at the the Saone which is full of barbel , but stopping at the Yonne and Ainse on way back , full of potential and last 2 are in the north and can be done on a long weekend .


Hatter

 

[Mark Anderson]

Hi men

IV also got a trip planned for October to a lake in western France , great rivers over that way and have a friend living there who uses a boat on the Loire , so will get some info off him regarding barbel

Hatter

 

[Gavin Burt]

Hi Gavin, me and my mate fished the meuse, in fumay, 5yrs ago , just before Ade sold up, we caught barbel everywhere, but upstream from fumay, there is a hydro pumping station, we had over 50 barbel through the night there.
Nothing huge. 5-9 lb bracket..
Lots of small catfish to maggot's up to 5lb.
Lots of bream.
And outside Ades house some good carp up to 30lb.

Thanks - sounds like the Wye a few years ago, minus the kayaks !!!

I didn’t realise barbel were in such abundance over there. Shame Ade sold up as have heard nothing but good reports.

 

[Gavin Burt]

Hi Gavin,

I've fished Fumay a few years ago mate. I went for carp when Ade Kiddell had his place but all I caught was loads of barbel Went with my dad and he had plenty aswell.

I ended up knocking the carp fishing on the head and barbel fished. Exactly the same as most fish the Severn and Trent and the fishing was very good. Had a lot of fish in the 4-6lb bracket and one of almost 9lbs (which is considered a big fish for the Meuse I believe).

Thanks

Lewis

Thanks - just catching would be nice as it’s tough going in my local river. General tactic there seems to be a feeder in the middle of the river, it does look like a great bit of water.

On a separate note how’s your waters been fishing this last year ? I’m down the road (Barford) and it’s been tough going with only two fish last season. The matches don’t help as it limits time on the water and I’ve completely given up on Wasperton.