Bob Brookes
Senior Member
Hi folks,
October for me is traditionally the start of predator fishing & of course some good barbel fishing if you get warm rain flowing into the rivers.
So, the first week saw me with the pike, zander & perch gear on the river Trent. Some were caught but in truth they weren't shoaling up like usual for the time of year. They should have been having a right old chew but they just weren't having it. In truth many of my favourite autumn spots were just too shallow or clogged with weed. Basically we are about a month behind and, as I am thinking about this, the sun is shining & it is warm & this is November!
Plan B was called for, so it is back on the barbel attack. The river is running below normal summer level & as clear a chalk stream. It stayed like that for the rest of the month, with the exception of a day or two when it rose a few inches. Little chance of much success but the weather is nice to just be outside. I chose to fish where I had tree cover or a depth of water over their heads, as this may counter the clarity of the water. I don't fish at night so I thought that was important.
I used these principles though the month fishing 7 different swims that fitted the bill. I was careful not to overfish a spot, even if I had a good session. Considering the poor conditions I had the best October's barbel fishing I have had for years. I just 9 day or part day's fishing I caught 52 barbel including several doubles to 11.04 and many 9's that will easily make doubles during the winter. All the fish were pristine like they had been freshly.
The reason for this posting is to ask how the rest of you fared last month. Did I just have a fluke or is your river fishing well despite virtual drought conditions(apologies to those over on the west of the country!)
I am really looking forward to getting stuck into those perch & zander but, until then, I am going to take advantage of this bonanza I am having.
Bob
October for me is traditionally the start of predator fishing & of course some good barbel fishing if you get warm rain flowing into the rivers.
So, the first week saw me with the pike, zander & perch gear on the river Trent. Some were caught but in truth they weren't shoaling up like usual for the time of year. They should have been having a right old chew but they just weren't having it. In truth many of my favourite autumn spots were just too shallow or clogged with weed. Basically we are about a month behind and, as I am thinking about this, the sun is shining & it is warm & this is November!
Plan B was called for, so it is back on the barbel attack. The river is running below normal summer level & as clear a chalk stream. It stayed like that for the rest of the month, with the exception of a day or two when it rose a few inches. Little chance of much success but the weather is nice to just be outside. I chose to fish where I had tree cover or a depth of water over their heads, as this may counter the clarity of the water. I don't fish at night so I thought that was important.
I used these principles though the month fishing 7 different swims that fitted the bill. I was careful not to overfish a spot, even if I had a good session. Considering the poor conditions I had the best October's barbel fishing I have had for years. I just 9 day or part day's fishing I caught 52 barbel including several doubles to 11.04 and many 9's that will easily make doubles during the winter. All the fish were pristine like they had been freshly.
The reason for this posting is to ask how the rest of you fared last month. Did I just have a fluke or is your river fishing well despite virtual drought conditions(apologies to those over on the west of the country!)
I am really looking forward to getting stuck into those perch & zander but, until then, I am going to take advantage of this bonanza I am having.
Bob
