What are your targets for the new season?

[Bruce Hickman]

To be able to fish rivers all the way through the season would be awesome. I really missed the winter last season due to lockdown
A 6lb chub, 3lb roach, 3 lb perch, 20lb pike and double figure barbel
All realistic if I can get the rod hours in
Good luck everyone

I had my best season last year in spite of lockdown. I relocated to live near the Wye some years ago so hopefully will be able to continue to find the Barbel. Beyond that I'm hoping to beat my PB at 11lbs 8oz but my joy comes from catching healthy Barbel whatever the size.

 

[Bill Walford]

I had my best season last year in spite of lockdown. I relocated to live near the Wye some years ago so hopefully will be able to continue to find the Barbel. Beyond that I'm hoping to beat my PB at 11lbs 8oz but my joy comes from catching healthy Barbel whatever the size.

I envy you relocating near the Wye Bruce. That would be my dream but the current Mrs W (only 47 years married so still on probation ) won’t shift because our grandchildren are local and she cares for her Mum. I keep telling her that if my numbers come up on The Lottery I’m buying a place in the Wye Valley and she can visit whenever she wants

 

[Graham Elliott]

I envy you relocating near the Wye Bruce. That would be my dream but the current Mrs W (only 47 years married so still on probation ) won’t shift because our grandchildren are local and she cares for her Mum. I keep telling her that if my numbers come up on The Lottery I’m buying a place in the Wye Valley and she can visit whenever she wants

That's the only downside of living 200 yards from the Wye Bil

But at least the Motorway system is excellent for visiting family. Or more likely them coming for a holiday....

 

[Cliff Turner]

All Im looking to do is enjoy each session and appreciate the surroundings, not take it for granted.

 

[Alex Dalton]

Keep to mixing it up species wise from Cod , tench , bream to barbel and other fish in between, never getting stuck with one fish /venue syndrome.

 

[Mark Nicholls]

I don't really set targets, apart from to get out more, but a Thames barbel would be most welcome. Oh, and a big river roach wouldn't go amiss

 

[Derek Funcks]

No targets fish wise, never ever set them. Just to be on the river is enough for me. Catching or not. What more could one want. But any fish is a bonus. Good luck to all for the new season.

 

[Julian Peacock]

My first Gt Ouse barbel would be good! But I won’t be chasing a new PB as I think that ship has sailed and the Ivel with it...
A 30 plus carp on the float ‘n pin..
Dream fish is a 3lb river roach..
I still have to break my grayling duck..
When the season starts I will be chucking fluff hoping for a river brown..
And there is a big perch to catch..
Then a bigger pike..
How could any one ever be bored of angling!

 

[Chris Allcock]

Il have a go at beating my insane record of 21 fish in 15hrs... 19 barbel and 2 chub. And a 10lb barbel being the biggest, 1oz under my pb. Not a prayer.

 

[Tim Lawrence]

I’ve set a slightly different target for this year, and that’s 21 species for 2021.

Roach
Rudd
Perch
Dace
Bream
Tench
Crucian
Ide
Gudgeon
Minnow
Mirror carp
Common Carp
F1
Ghost carp
Silver Bream
Bleak
Grayling
Trout
Eel
Tommy Ruffe
Barbel

So far I’m up to 13, with Barbel next on the hit list. It’s quite an enjoyable little challenge, it’s encouraged me to fish different methods and different waters.

The grayling and trout can wait until winter. I can see me getting very waylaid now in the search for barbel.

 

[Paul Rogers]

Enjoy some new different stretches of river and to catch some small barbel ...... have some fun and smile again instead of gazing at a motionless rodtip!

 

[Darren Hawen]

Enjoy some new different stretches of river and to catch some small barbel ...... have some fun and smile again instead of gazing at a motionless rodtip!

Better get down to the Wye Paul. Ticks all boxes with the bonus that it flows through some absolutely stunning countryside.

 

[Anthony James]

Managed to get on a syndicate this season so mostly I'll be targeting barbel doubles although I would really love to net a river carp this year too! I know they are there, somewhere....

 

[Tim Lawrence]

I somehow managed to miss chub off my fish list up there. I’ve definitely caught them this year, every time I fish for barbel

 

[Mark Luffman]

To catch a Barbel from the River Arun

 

[Robert West]

A barbel of any size would be nice
5lb+ chub 2lb+ roach and my Stillwater targets double figure bream and a mid 20 common carp
Good luck to everyone

 

[Steve Kenchington]

Well, just completed my first expedition of the season to the Wessex rivers and not a bad trip however barbs were not playing ! The buggers ! Managed 18 chub to just over 6 lb over 7 days on the H Avon and the D Stour with all coming to cheese or meat on the float and light ledger rigs but overshadowed by Mark who took a pristine chub of 6 lb 15 oz. What a summer fish and one we’d all like to catch come March. I am so looking forward to my next visit in September COVID permitting !

Mark and I don’t fish like the majority, preferring to keep on the move spending only 10 - 15 minutes in each swim and covering miles of river in the day. It’s really tiring but keeps you fit and offers a different challenge every few minutes and loads of opportunities to view the countryside and wildlife. What a fantastic pastime we choose to pursue !

I think I may have met some of you over the years on the banks of the Thames, Wey, Colne, Cherwell, Thame, H Avon, D Stour, Ribble, Severn and Teme and wish you all good luck over the summer. Keep up with the reports as it keeps an old angler with limited opportunities to fish with a regular supply of material to keep me “in touch”.

Tight lines.

Steve.

 

[Steve Kenchington]

Well, just completed my first expedition of the season to the Wessex rivers and not a bad trip however barbs were not playing ! The buggers ! Managed 18 chub to just over 6 lb over 7 days on the H Avon and the D Stour with all coming to cheese or meat on the float and light ledger rigs but overshadowed by Mark who took a pristine chub of 6 lb 15 oz. What a summer fish and one we’d all like to catch come March. I am so looking forward to my next visit in September COVID permitting !

Mark and I don’t fish like the majority, preferring to keep on the move spending only 10 - 15 minutes in each swim and covering miles of river in the day. It’s really tiring but keeps you fit and offers a different challenge every few minutes and loads of opportunities to view the countryside and wildlife. What a fantastic pastime we choose to pursue !

I think I may have met some of you over the years on the banks of the Thames, Wey, Colne, Cherwell, Thame, H Avon, D Stour, Ribble, Severn and Teme and wish you all good luck over the summer. Keep up with the reports as it keeps an old angler with limited opportunities to fish with a regular supply of material to keep me “in touch”.

Tight lines.

Steve.

Forgot to mention the Kennet, how did I forget that ? !
Used to be a wonderful place before the crayfish invasion. Caught a few barbs from there as a boy !

steve.

 

[Dave Payne]

The plan for me last year was to fish a new river for a season,something to excite me,open my mind & learn a new river,away from the long bank hours of the Thames & Medway for little success. I only managed 2 trips late autumn due to lockdown but rekindled my enthusiasm for my life long hobby & didnt
blank ,enjoying the peace ,tranquility & nature far from the maddening crowds. Im now just in my 70s,had 1 trip already & aim to do 2 multiday trips a mouth just to enjoy the fishing,the surroudings,the people i meet & hopefully a few more Barbel small or big along the way.Tight lines everyone

 

[Bill Walford]

Now nearly a month into the river season (blimey don’t time fly!) hope you are ahead of your quest and at least enjoying the river you fish