Just a bit from an article on the site " I saw her again today"
First written about 15 years ago.
"I saw her again today" By Graham Elliott
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"I saw her again today"
By Graham Elliott
July
I saw Her again today.
Five fish swam past, pecking at a few offerings, but only from habit not from hunger. The biggest was a good double, over 11lb I should imagine. A few chub drifted by, in that sideways style they favour. I hooked one and the rest scooted. 5lb 6oz.
An hour later, from my position in the tree I watched as two very large barbel dropped back and suddenly picked up a few bits of bait. I slivered down but they had moved on by the time I had got my rod in my hand. They were seriously big fish, 12lb and rising.
A barbel I estimate at 8lb+ in the clear water comes to the net at just under 10lb. The other fish in the area glide into the safety of the nearby weed strands.
Twenty minutes later, back in the tree, watching, first the chub, and what a chub broad backed and looking like a carp. How big? At the very least 7lb. It dropped back from the weed bed.........and there she was
The third time in three days in the same place. Probably the largest barbel I have seen.
Always on her own, except for the big chub that shows at the same time. How big? Big enough to fill your dreams and then some.
At the moment though, it's a bit of a nightmare. She picks up 2 or 3 pieces of bait and that's it. 4 hours later maybe 2 more. If I put few baits the chub clear them, if I put lots it would be like winning the lottery if she chooses the one with the hook. I think I need to go and leave her. At least until the water colours up some and she is not so shy, hopefully. Stay safe Beauty.
A month passes and we are into August.
Still the water remains crystal clear and the river looks like a river should do. It glistens along almost with a mirror coating on the top. Reflections of the wonderful fauna tickle the surface and break up into shards of light as a chub or dace noses a fly from the silky smoothness. The weed flows with a constant rhythm, dancing and swaying to the silent beat.
The barbel are not yet nervous of anglers, however they need to be tricked a little to pickup a baited hook. Watch and learn, the deposit of time to be paid back with interest when the river colours and deepens and other venue challenges are tackled.
The line is heavy and visible, yet the barbel approach without a care. One nudges the line, almost caresses it alongside its form as it passes up to the baited area. Suddenly they spook wildly, in different directions. What happened?
I watch the same thing a few times until it become clear. The barbel did not worry at all about the visibility of the line, they swam alongside it, brushed it even, until another fish moved it on to them unawares, the natural reaction, inbuilt for survival being to rush away, escape. I try to relate this to human behaviour.
Safety means as you walk through a forest and brush aside the tangled branches and the leaves, you see them and visualise no problem, but if one suddenly reached out and touched you from behind? Would you jump?