27th August river Wye with Alex and Paul

Paul and Alex had fished with me on a disastrous tench fishing adventure at the end of July when the weather got hotter and hotter and the tench decided to spawn. We saw plenty of tench close up at Bradley’s however they were not interesting in feeding. I have seldom failed in getting results but this one just couldn’t be helped. Paul was understanding of the situation. However I promised them a great days barbel fishing on the river Wye.

So we duly met up on bank holiday Monday on the banks of the river. What I was unsure about was how busy the canoe traffic would be being a holiday. However the weather was forecast to be heavy rain and strong winds and I was hoping that this would deter some of the these from taking to the water.

I had got there early to start feeding the swim with pellet ground bait and the normal swimfeeder. First cast I had a lovely looking chub of 4lbs 10oz so a good start.

The wind and rain was making fishing difficult. I had erected a shelter at the side of the swim and put an umbrella next to the two rods that the guys were going to use…….this we called the hot seat. The idea for the first one to catch a fish in the hot seat then let the other person sit in there for their turn.

Alex was first in the hot seat and he didn’t have too long to wait before the rod arched over and he was playing his first ever barbel. The river banks were very slippery with the rain and care was need to stay on your feet. Alex though did a great job of playing and landing his first barbel of 4lbs 12oz.

Alex and his 4lbs 12oz barbel

Paul was now in the hot seat and after 50 minutes or so hooked and landed a 5lb 10oz barbel and a pb for him too. Next it was Alex turn again and 20 minutes later he was playing not a barbel but a chub. Now Paul’s pb stood at a very low 2lber and Alex new he had hooked something bigger. It turned out to be a chub of 3lbs 1oz chub and a bp for him. He did tease his Dad though about the fact that he had beaten his pb by some margin. All good fun!

3lbs 1oz chub for Alex

Paul’s turn in the hot seat again. This time it took a little longer for the barbel to play ball. However the next one was 7lbs 12oz and a new pb for Paul.

Another 7lbs 12oz

There was lots of tea, fun and banter as the barbel and chub kept coming. Alex and I were talking about the Jaws film and what happened when Jaws took the bait when they were on the boat and the clicking of the reel, we were making the sounds when one of our barbel rods arched over the reels free spool mode clicked away just like the film. We had plenty to laugh about.

A new 7lb 4oz pb barbel for Alex

The rain and wind was terrible and the shelter blew over and the umbrella blew inside out too but barbel and chub were still coming to the net.

During all of this Alex landed a new pb barbel of 7lbs 4oz and was well pleased. Here is a short few clips of video of the action.

The rain and wind did ease during the afternoon and early evening which did help. However as the bank had become soaked I felt like Eddie the Eagle on a ski slope as I scrambled and slipped down the river bank to net the fish.

The last couple of fish for the day was a 6lb barbel and a 3lb 3oz chub which lead to a wonderful photo of very happy Father and Son.

Couple of happy men

In all 9 barbel were caught and 3 chub, not the best day on the river (given the weather conditions) but one that made a difference to two good anglers.