Knowledge Is The Bomb

by Jeremy Brown

 

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As this is my first serious year of angling I thought it would be a good idea to share my fishing season so far and how people have helped me in my quest to enjoy the challenge that is Barbel fishing.

 

I am fortunate enough to be a member of the Wasing syndicate on the River Kennet and we are blessed with 4 prime miles of Barbel water which offers all types of waters and swims to try and catch from… long slow glides, fast shallow water and snag filled swims that cost you a fortune.

 

I actually joined the syndicate in January of 2004 and fished several times during the last couple of months of the season for absolutely no fish at all. This is what sent me on a mission to try and find as much out as possible about the waters I would be fishing and the methods that would work. What I didn’t realise was that each beat and sometimes each swim would need a totally different approach to the last.

 

Fellow anglers are not keen to share in the expertise and knowledge of “their” own bit of the river and I can fully understand that. You can, however, assist others in their ambition to catch fish without giving away every little secret you know. This is where the B.F.W. site comes into its own – a couple of simple posts later and friends were made and knowledge shared (to a certain extent).

 

The guys who were happy to share information with me told me where to go during the closed season, where to look, where to hide and watch. This proved invaluable when the new season would eventually arrive.

 

I didn’t get out until the second week of the season and headed straight for a swim where I had been watching fish a few weeks before, set up and dropped the bait just where I wanted it … not 10 minutes passed before the tip whacked round and my 1st Wasing Barbel was in the net – only a 5lb fish but a reward for the closed season effort.

 

The psychological weight was lifted and during the next 12 weeks nearly 50 Barbel were taken up to 9lb10oz. All from places recommended to me by fellow anglers and my walks during the closed season. All the fish were taken on newly taught methods and techniques. I was helped with bait preparation, presentation, fighting the fish and also caring for the safe return of the Barbel back into the river. The knowledge passed on was not about giving too much away but helping a fellow angler to better himself in his angling ambitions.

 

One of the best trips was spent in the Parlour Pool on the Royalty fishery and I was determined to make the most of the trip. I researched the visit the best I could before arriving and this included speaking to Nigel at Davis Tackle and employing the services of Ray Walton for day 2 of my visit. The 1st evening was spent fishing a spot on Nigel’s recommendation and was truly overjoyed with a Barbel of 11lb8oz which was netted and photographed by a friend before I retired to bed dreaming of the next day.

 

Day 2 was the morning after Ray had been on Tight Lines on Sky and he was a bit worse for wear, apparently after all the driving… The day was spent stalking and of course learning the method of rolling meat which involved being up to your chest (about Ray’s head in height) in the river and creeping about which was a real experience. We were rewarded with another Barbel of 6lb7oz, not the biggest fish but caught with experience and added knowledge.

 

Ray promised to join us on day 3 and, while he was enjoying his lie in, I employed the methods leant to catch an 8lb15oz from the weed on meat using a mate as a spotter. We both agreed it was the best sport and most heart stopping moments we have both enjoyed. When Ray arrived we were keen to see him cast into an area where we had spotted a couple of large fish earlier and, with Phil and myself acting as his spotter, it was a pleasure to return the favour and see the fish take the bait. It was an absolute cracker and a pleasure to see the 11lb2oz fish was in Ray’s net.

 

The point that I am trying to make is that none of the Royalty, and many of my Kennet fish, would have been taken without the assistance and knowledge acquired through my research and the help of others. Don’t be afraid to ask and certainly don’t be afraid to help fellow anglers in their task of catching. I don’t think you need to name swims or your secret baits but a few pointers don’t do any harm. If you are learning, like me, a day with a top guide is invaluable. It doesn’t guarantee a catch but it does guarantee you’ll go away with a head full of new ideas.

 

The B.F.W. site is also an excellent way of meeting and discussing things with like minded anglers and the amount of posts on the site is good to see. Use the shop when you can, it’s the only form of revenue for keeping the site up and running, and we would all loose track of information without it.

 

I don’t need to mention names, as you know who you are, but thank you all for your help and I hope I can pass on some knowledge to someone in the future. Having caught 25 Barbel all last year I am now well into my 60’s, in terms of numbers caught. I am not saying this to be boastful as many guys have caught many more than me but 50 would have been a dream this year … who knows where it will end?

 

The reason is preparation and knowledge.

 

 

 

 

Jez Brown October 2004

 

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