Barbel fishing again after the recent rain, 21st December

I went to the works disco last night at a posh hotel.
They played the twist, so I did the twist.
They played jump, so I jumped.
They played “Come on Eileen”… got kicked out after that one!

Well having moved Mum (hope she isn’t reading the above!!!!!) to a apartment close by and having spent time making sure she was fine it was time to wet a line again. I thought about perch fishing with Andy, however with warm weather and the river in flood it had to be barbel time. Now there is a place not far from home that does produce fish to double figures, but it’s never easy and there are just a few around.

I travelled not early in the morning but at about 9am to find that some of the roads were closed due to flooding. A few detours lead me to other roads that were impassable. I’m not so cavalier to drive my car through depths of water that are unknown, safety is always my motto.

Anyhow after several attempts to find a route to fish the area that held these monsters I was relieved to find that only me was on the bank. The conditions looked ideal warm water and flooded too would suit me fine.

So with the rods baited, one with luncheon meat and other with a boilie soaked in an attractor I cast both rods out. After the rain of the last day the river started to drop by about 18” over the day.

I sat there expectant as things looked to be spot on. The sun was shinning and with little wind only a couple of layers were needed to keep you warm as toast.

I’m ready!

I moved between a couple of swims hoping to lure a fish into taking the bait.  Things were not going to plan. However the weather was stunning warm and 11c.

Still waiting!

I sat thinking any minute now!

Nothing came along. I continued to recast every 20 minutes or so with my new Fox barbel rods.

Fox rods

I had bought these because at times on the river Wye last year the 1.75lb t/c rods were under gunned. A few clients had these rods and boy did they handle the barbel really well when it was up and flooded.

I’m not saying that action was slow but cobwebs were forming on the rod tips and line!

cobwebs gathering!

So finished with a blank but a very enjoyable day. I’m going to get out one more time before the festivities begin. A friend called Steve is taking me piking to a secret water not too far away. The water holds some big girls to 38lb so I might just get a Xmas kiss from one of these girls or maybe not!