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Newbie

R

Richard Askew

Active Member
Hi all
I, m new to the forum and have never targeted or caught a barbel, I have both the Leeds and York books and would welcome any advice on which stretches I would be best focusing on, this being my first season trying for barbel. I’m not after specific swims I’m looking forward to getting on the banks and improving my river craft and identifying swims but with so much water to go at it would be good to know where the best chance lies or where not to bother. TIA
 
Hi Richard,
I have a York book, but not a Leeds.
Both books have stretches of the Nidd above Skip bridge on the A59. Leeds have cut more swims, but both sides work. Choose a swim with bushes on the far bank and cast towards them.
Both clubs have sections of the Ouse. York have the section behind Benningbrough hall and the stretch below the hall. Leeds have the opposite bank. Walk either and you will see where the pegs are.
York also have bits of the Derwent. Stamford bridge and Howsham sections would be your best shot.I
Good look,
Mike
 
Cheers Mike, thanks for the advice I walked skip bridge this afternoon and saw a few good looking pegs on the Leeds side I’m in Harrogate so this is also the closest to me I think I’ll have a go when I get done with work on Wednesday. I’ve done a lot of piking at widdington over the last couple of years people I’ve seen there have said it can produce good barbel do you have any experience there?
 
Welcome to the forum Richard. Loads of good chatter on here and always someone to come to the rescue. I’m far removed from your local rivers living in Kent and fishing mainly the The Rivers Medway, Wye and Trent. My very best wishes for your quest and I look forward to you reporting your first Barbel. One word of advice if I may? Don’t get down if others are catching more or larger fish than you, this will change over the country depending on river and locations. Enjoy EVERY Barbel large or small and also the Chub which will inevitably come your way. Both species are great fish.
 
Hi Richard,
Not fished the Widdington stretch, but the Ouse has barbel all along the ydaa section.
Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.
 
I’m pretty sure the Leeds book gives you below Topcliffe weir on the swale too??
cracking stretch of water for a barbel.
 
Welcome from me too Richard :)
 
Hi Richard,

Early season and with the rivers low and relatively clear I'd stick to the Ouse. Leeds bit Nun Monkton about 50 pegs to go at, plenty have barbel; York bit at Beningborough or Widdington, always a decent chance but with the latter remember to observe the 'game only' limit until 1st July .

Nidd you might have to fish until dusk if the river's clear but they're usually willing to come out from under the willows with a bit of coaxing with loose feed. Nidd tip, don't be tempted to re-cast too often as you'll spook the fish, if possible I get my hookbait under the willows, sit back and hold on tight, they're called Nidd nutters for a reason. 10lb hooklength minimum for me, usually step up to 12lb for the Nidd and go up a hook size.

Derwent, try within half a mile downstream of weirs early season, there are quite a few on the Derwent.

There will be the inevitable early season pressure in the easy to access areas, either go at first light or take a long walk away from the crowds. The barbel have had three months of relative peace and can shy away from constant bombardment from 4oz feeders early season.

Final tip, they won't have seen a boilie or pellet for three months. They've seen a fair bit of natural food though. Worth thinking about.
 
Gavin Hoe-Richardson said:
Hi Richard,

Early season and with the rivers low and relatively clear I'd stick to the Ouse. Leeds bit Nun Monkton about 50 pegs to go at, plenty have barbel; York bit at Beningborough or Widdington, always a decent chance but with the latter remember to observe the 'game only' limit until 1st July .

Nidd you might have to fish until dusk if the river's clear but they're usually willing to come out from under the willows with a bit of coaxing with loose feed. Nidd tip, don't be tempted to re-cast too often as you'll spook the fish, if possible I get my hookbait under the willows, sit back and hold on tight, they're called Nidd nutters for a reason. 10lb hooklength minimum for me, usually step up to 12lb for the Nidd and go up a hook size.

Derwent, try within half a mile downstream of weirs early season, there are quite a few on the Derwent.

There will be the inevitable early season pressure in the easy to access areas, either go at first light or take a long walk away from the crowds. The barbel have had three months of relative peace and can shy away from constant bombardment from 4oz feeders early season.

Final tip, they won't have seen a boilie or pellet for three months. They've seen a fair bit of natural food though. Worth thinking about.
Click to expand...
That’s great I really appreciate the advice and I’m looking forward to putting it into practice and hopefully getting some results!
 
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