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Sick to death...

Chris Jones

Senior Member
.... of this damned cold weather. The local rivers haven't been warm enough for a realistic chance of a barbel for months now. Still waters have had lids on for longer periods than they've been ice free. It's all but a waste of time actually venturing out in pursuit of either barbel or the occasional mud pig that I tend to target. It's getting so bad that I'm seriously considering getting my match gear out to fish for whatever bits might come my way. If not that then a desperation trip to a distant, and all but unknown to me, river Trent.
I really don't like winter fishing much, it really isn't that much fun.
 
In short, British fishing as it was done before a lot of new barbel and a decade or so of ridiculously mild winters......
 
makes you wanna get on a plane for a month off.
never mind, the way i see it, a cold winter makes you appreciate a nice summer so much more.
 
a cold winter makes you appreciate a nice summer so much more.

I don't know, here's me wallowing in self pity and someone manages a positive spin!;):D
I don't know how positive I'll be after the three weeks of enforced leave I've got in March. Here's hoping that it'll turn very mild very fast!:)
 
The weather you just have to accept. But to think that barbel haven't fed for two months (or that week before the snow prior to last Christmas) is a bit unrealistic.

In any case, I look for the positives in any fishing situation. Its been good winter for Perch, Pike and Zander angling! Barbel fishing has been grab the window of opportunity while it lasts.
 
Although I can see where you are coming from Chris, the conditions have changed my focus over the last 3 Months and TBH I've enjoyed the break from the 'Barbel Rat Race' and the self imposed pressure to try and catch !
I have enjoyed some great sport with modest silvers on my local Marden and some nice Grayling on the Hants Avon, a nice change !
That said, a warm spell for one more Barbel this season would be nice...........
 
to think that barbel haven't fed for two months (or that week before the snow prior to last Christmas) is a bit unrealistic.

I don't for one moment believe that they never feed. I know they've not troubled my baits when I've managed to get out.:( Looking at the river reports on various forums would suggest I'm not alone but that is hardly a consolation.
 
Will all soon be a distant memory chaps in the next few weeks :)
I know everyone doesn't have a chalkstream close by but there are many rivers which can produce good winter sport for silvers and grayling when of course levels and flow permit. As Mr Boote highlighted, this is a normal winter, we have been spoilt in recent years with mild winters and lots of barbel ;)

Ian
 
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It certainly doesnt Bode well for my March Barbel.....TBH not complaining that much as the summer was fantastic, and if this summer is as good as 2009, it will be long forgotten....
 
Keep doing the lottery lads!! If I am fortunate to win loads, and after taking care of both sides of the family, I will treat you lot to some big game Marlin/Dorado fishing in the Keys.

We will use Andy Thatchers place as base camp, I have it on authority he is a very accommodating type of guy, he just does not know it yet!

BFW fishin on tour...lol
 
Hi men ,

Julian , you will find you have a large "band of brothers" when you do win , dont forget old hatter though :D

Hatter
 
:)Andy might not mind but that dog disguised as a carthorse might:eek::eek:
he musta known something before he moved there;)....j.w
 
In short, British fishing as it was done before a lot of new barbel and a decade or so of ridiculously mild winters......

You've got that right Paul we've been pretty spoilt for about 15 years :)

Personaly i was hoping that was how it was going to be in future - maybe not though :(
 
Just needs someone to arrange a Spanish trip..................I know the waters to fish.......................

Graham
 
Even closer and I dare say a good bit cheaper would be some of that Dutch Barbel fishing that Ade did the presentation about Graham....
 
Nah, Spanish barbel is what you need, only 5 weeks to wait for me.

Extremadura is better than that spot Graham. :)


Its cold in Holland and Spain is still easyjet cheap.

.
 
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Shh don't tell em Tone last time I went the only other anglers I saw was a Spanish looking bloke, a burmese bloke and a pink bloke covered in mosquitos. Wouldn't want this lot there ;)
 
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