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When did you last get a bite?

Paul Dowgill

Senior Member
Just returned from my second into the night session of the season on a Thames tributary - 2nd blank. Looking back in my diary i have not had a bite since December 19 - about 12 blanks on the trot on this river (I fished it or tried to through the floods). I hope everyone else is doing better :)
 
Don't beat yourself up about it Paul. For one reason or another I hadn't wet a line since early November, have had one session last week for a chub and a brim.

So no barbel bites since about October for me :mad:
 
Nice Croissant for breakfast this morning!

Barbel wise, I really can't remember, definitely 4 years+
 
Wasn't so bad a Kingfisher 20 yards downstream was showing me how it is done - but am thinking of chucking a feeder into the Thames...:)
 
Don't beat yourself up about it Paul. For one reason or another I hadn't wet a line since early November, have had one session last week for a chub and a brim.

So no barbel bites since about October for me :mad:

Hi Paul, is a Brim a Bream? Never heard of a Brim? Apologies if i'm being a bit dense :)

Stephen
 
Stay positive. Every blank bring you nearer to the next fish and success is all the sweeter when it comes.

Steve
 
Hi Paul

Sorry to hear of your travails, I believe the Thames can be a hard mistress at times.

My last bite came on the 1st March 2013. It was a small chub of about 3lb and came at last knockings. My last barbel bite came on 30th July 2011! I let my son land that one, she went 10lb 9oz.

I've only had one blank since so I can't claim it's been a hard slog in that sense, but having missed the whole of last season and only managing a handful of trips the previous one, I'd have to say at this moment in time I'd rather 'enjoy' a run of blanks than sit reading enviously of others' fishing trips from in front of my Mac.

Good luck with the rest of the season, I'm sure all the hard work will be rewarded soon.
 
Hi Paul

Sorry to hear of your travails, I believe the Thames can be a hard mistress at times.

My last bite came on the 1st March 2013. It was a small chub of about 3lb and came at last knockings. My last barbel bite came on 30th July 2011! I let my son land that one, she went 10lb 9oz.

I've only had one blank since so I can't claim it's been a hard slog in that sense, but having missed the whole of last season and only managing a handful of trips the previous one, I'd have to say at this moment in time I'd rather 'enjoy' a run of blanks than sit reading enviously of others' fishing trips from in front of my Mac.

Good luck with the rest of the season, I'm sure all the hard work will be rewarded soon.

I missed over half of last season but was rewarded with a great week before Xmas fishing for chub in the traditional way ie bread, with many over 5lb and none below 4lb (same stretch) - which was a great help in my recovery. Since then the fishing gods have gone 'well he had a great week now it is time to remind him what it is really like...' But as well all know, 'a bad day's fishing is better than...'
 
I missed over half of last season but was rewarded with a great week before Xmas fishing for chub in the traditional way ie bread, with many over 5lb and none below 4lb (same stretch) - which was a great help in my recovery. Since then the fishing gods have gone 'well he had a great week now it is time to remind him what it is really like...' But as well all know, 'a bad day's fishing is better than...'

Wasn't trying to come over all 'holier than thou', I've had plenty of blanks in the past that have frustrated the hell out of me. However my recent lay off has put much of that in perspective, as I imagine has yours. Luckily illness hasn't played a part in me missing any fishing as yet, just circumstance and lack of funds. I know a few people who've missed whole seasons due to illness or injury and that must be a whole other level of hurt, if you'll excuse the pun.

Unfortunately that run is looking to continue as excepting possibly sneaking a couple of days on the bank during my family holiday, I doubt I'll be able to manage many trips this year.
 
Martin

I didn't think you were...we all miss getting out for various reasons and when we do it seems do much the better - catching or not...oh to be able to stop working...
 
I have had seven sessions on the kennet since the season opened and not had a bite yet! Taking a break from match fishing and loving just being beside the river letting time just idle by, but a bite or two, or even better a fish or two would be most welcome :)
 
Paul, thames aint an easy river for barbel thats why thames barbel men are known as headbangers :D cos when frustration really sets in find a nice tree or wall and give the nut a good old banging, god it hurts but once you crack the thames you,ll forget the headaches and may even get interested in bream bashing too lol, too many boats this time of year apart from a few spots but
afteraround 7.0pm it quietens down mate then thats yer chance, keep it simple, keep the bait simple becuse the amount of pleasure anglers baits going in is what the barbels used too mate, chin up, and keep the aspirins handy:)
 
Been quiet here on the Nene a few fish here and there and a good proportion of larger ones but the majority look like they have just spawned.

Pretty sure the spawning has been late this year due to an interuption with some high water.

Angling pressure really ramping up now after a quiet opening week.
 
Walk the dogs most nights down on the Thames near where i live - yet to see anyone fishing - no big boats in the evening either...
 
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