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New Venue

John Hasler

Senior Member
I haven't fished for barbel for two seasons now but have decided to give my small local river a go. As far as I know none have been caught for a few years intentionally. However a couple of small ones were caught during a EA fish survey. The river has the normal problems otters and crayfish. So I'm wondering whether to concentrate my efforts after dark or during daylight hours?
 
Sounds like you could be in for a lot of blanking. It's quite possible if otters have been through that no sizeable barbel remain. If otters remain then there's probably still an available food source,so some barbel could still be there. The only way is to suck it and see. They could be nocturnal?
 
I haven't fished for barbel for two seasons now but have decided to give my small local river a go. As far as I know none have been caught for a few years intentionally. However a couple of small ones were caught during a EA fish survey. The river has the normal problems otters and crayfish. So I'm wondering whether to concentrate my efforts after dark or during daylight hours?

which river and area?
 
Oxfordshire Thame?...

If it's anything like another local Thames tributary it probably got past its worst a few years ago and is starting to recover, it would be good to know if there were any barbel stocked at the same time as they did the Cherwell as they could be a decent size now. I would stick to dawn and dusk and fish with lots of maggots. Catches me a lot more barbel in Oxford than anything else.
 
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