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Where to Barbel fish

Alex Chalmers-Wilkes

Alex Chalmers-Wilkes

Senior Member
Hi All I am looking at 3-4 days Barbel fishing for the first time hopefully this year and was looking for some guidance and help with location and accommodation when fishing. I know there is a hotel or B & B near the river Wye which lets you fish there mile or so stretch for free is you are staying at the B & B etc. but I was wandering about anywhere else in the country for barbel fishing that if you stay at a near by B & B or hotel that has the rights to a stretch of fishing if not then somewhere near by that I can fish on a day ticket. also if anyone has any good hits tips baits etc. I know that things change very fast in the fishing game but I have never been barbel fishing before and would like to get the most out of my 3-4 days without it before a wash out. im not expecting to catch monsters but if I am put on the right (ish) track then if there is a chance of catching a Barbel or 2 regardless of size then id be more than happy. sorry if I am asking a lot but I don't just want to rock up on a day ticket water and blank when there is no fish in the water im fishing.
Most Grateful
Tight lines, Alex
 
Alex.
Do a bit of homework by reading through the river reports.


Your best chance of a fish or three I would say
Wye. Trent . Middle Severn. In that order.

There are a couple of bb's as you say on the Wye with fishing.
Let me know if you choose this river and want advice.

Others will help on the other rivers.

Graham
 
Thank you Graham been reading river reports. so many good fish coming out of all good barbel rivers its hard to stick to one. will keep you informed. many thanks. Alex
 
I would have thought that if you have no experience of barbel fishing paying for a guide may be the way forward. I have no axe to grind, but if you are travelling and paying for b&b the little extra for a guide may help. Sorry I can't recommend barbel guides from experience but have used guides in other parts of the world to good effect. I might add that this is probably the wrong time of year to bag up but you have the best chance of (huge for the river) fish. In my opinion
 
Isn't " Scuba Steve " still a mod ? Didn't he have a caravan on the banks of the Severn which he rented out ?
 
Thank guys very grateful for all the advice. I know I have never been Barbel fishing before but I am an experienced Anglia just not of the barbel fish. a guide is very useful but at 3-4 days fishing they are not cheap and I really want to learn about finding the fish myself just need pointing in the right direction. I still have a bit of homework today with location etc. as not sure were to fish. but will keep looking for advice on here. thank you.
 
Not sure when you intend to have your trip, but as you are aware the rivers are brim full right now, which would be fine, butt the problem is the temperature s have dropped rather suddenly, which will cut down your chances considerably.
A few days before the close might offer you a chance, but to pre empt that might be difficult with b&b bookings etc.
You might want to wait until June, the Barbel will be obliging, especially on the Wye where you will be guaranteed a wonderful experience.
 
Thank you Neil sorry if I have mislead anyone me and a friend are looking at fishing in the summer July time I think. I was just putting the feelers out early just to get a head start with hints and tips etc. maybe a guild for a day or 2 would be helpful I didn't want it turning out to expensive as I know some guilds have a minimum of 2-3 days.
 
Alex. As I said if you choose the Wye I'm happy to help you out.

July is much better choice than June as it gives the fish some time to recover from spawning. It's unlikely they will be in top condition in June and will often need good resting before returning. Something new barbel anglers need to consider.


It won't cost you anything for bit of help/advice either.
 
Graham Elliott said:
Alex. As I said if you choose the Wye I'm happy to help you out.

July is much better choice than June as it gives the fish some time to recover from spawning. It's unlikely they will be in top condition in June and will often need good resting before returning. Something new barbel anglers need to consider.


It won't cost you anything for bit of help/advice either.
Click to expand...

Yes and will spawn into July too, however I have caught some well conditioned Wye Barbel in June, not always a bad time. Do you actually wait for spawning to cease before wetting a line?
 
Hi Alex,
Try the Ship Inn at Highley on the Severn a few miles south of Bridgenorth. The Inn has its own stretch of the river just outside the pub. They do B&B, self catering cabins and fantastic food. There is another day ticket stretch a walking distance up stream from the pub and a long BAA stretch down stream. Use a large swimfeeder with a fishmeal groundbait and halibut pellets with pellets on the hook.
This was were I did my first barbel stint.
Alternatively, Docklow Pools (see their web site) Have a section of the Wye just below Hereford. It gets very lightly fished because it is a twenty minute car journey from Docklow. Beautiful stretch of water and a really helpful bailiff.
Be warned, once you catch a good barbel you are the one who is hooked and nothing else compares.
Tight lines,
Mike
 
Hi Alex

A bit of good advice for you. Go on the Wye and take Graham up on his kind offer. Accomodation wise. The Old Mill Hoarwithy.
 
Check out the some of the people that advertise with BFW here:

Barbel Fishing Accommodation

Please mention BFW if you decide to call any of them.

Regards,

Andy F
 
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