My fishing diary

[Anthony Block]

Hello everyone,

I own a blog (called “Mon Carnet de Pêche), where I've been recounting my fishing adventures since... 1997

I thought I'd do the same thing here, focusing on barbel fishing in my local rivers.

I discovered barbel fishing this year.
So yesterday, I had my first winter fishing trip, on a flooding river. Go to the Moselle River.

I went there a few weeks ago during a flood to discover the area.

I decided to travel light so I could explore different spots during the day.

The river is very large and wide compared to the Saur River. It's quite impressive to fish.

I checked each spot with my Deeper to get an idea for the bottom.

I fished calmer areas, between 1.5 and 2.5 meters deep.

Not a lot of action yesterday, a few bites but no hooksets, except for an unwanted visitor

I tried fishing a bit with luncheon meat, but the brand I used (Hereford) isn't great at all; it doesn't stay in place and seems too fragile. I don't know if you can recommend any other brands (even if it may not be available in France)

This first experience was really great and I can't wait to go back.

I was quite surprised to see the cormorants diving in the strongest part of the current. I imagine there must have been fish in that area, but it wasn't possible to fish there, even with a 6oz feeder.

And before heading home, I made a quick stop to pick up a package I'd been eagerly awaiting: my Harrison Chimera 3 blank, which I'll be building in the coming weeks for the 2026 season

 

[Edward Adcock]

Lidl garlic sausage

A new Lidl has just opened close to where i live, i went in for a mooch as you do, and came across this, anyone tried it ? Is it any good ? A substitute for the good old garlic spam ? At £1.75 for a 400gram pack, seems good value.

barbel.co.uk

Read all the messages on this thead Anthony. Most UK supermarkets stock luncheon meat of some description and barbel hunters have tried all sorts of sausage.

 

[Etienne Harvey]

Look for bacon grill if it's possible to find in France as it's alot firmer than standard luncheon meat.

 

[Anthony Block]

Thanks for the advices !

 

[Jim Brook]

I find that “Spam” luncheon meat to be the most consistent in toughness and texture followed by “Sainsbury’s” own brand luncheon meat also worth considering “Campbell’s” meat balls. You could try using a plastic tube pushed through the meat I use the inside of a disposable “Bic” ballpoint pen and pull the hair through this with a large hair stop I use stiff grass twigs etc, this stops the hair cutting through the soft meat and keeps the bait on really well.

 

[Daniel Jeffery]

If you’re struggling to find luncheon meat that’ll stay on, maybe a cube of saucisson sec would work. Should definitely stay on the hair lol. For something softer maybe saucisson cuit à l'ail. A barbel angler I used to know in France always used cheese (Comté).