River Wye with Bob and Steve

Steve had bought a voucher for Bob to celebrate a significant birthday and today was the day it was put to great use.

We met at my place and drove the hour long journey to the river Wye. On arriving the river was up from my previous visit and there was plenty of weed coming down.

We were using the normal West Country pellet and slick sense feeder mix. Can’t say too much about this bait other than it’s been very good to me over the last couple of years.

Bob was the first to be in, a good fight from a beautiful barbel that whetted his appetite.

Now both Steve and Bob are good carp fishers and have been good friends for many a year. Bob used to fish the Bristol Avon for barbel and his pb was 7lbs 12oz. He was thrilled with the fight from the barbel in the fast high river. Steve and Bob took it turns to land a fish and so Steve’s first barbel was a splasher 4lber.

A couple more barbel were landed and then Steve landed a beautiful fish of 8lbs 11oz.

Steve with a 8lbs 11oz Wye barbel

To say everyone was happy and it was still very early in the day.

Next it was Bob’s turn the rod hooped over and he was playing a spirited barbel that tore off up stream. This one turned out to 7lbs 12oz and equaled Bob’s pb.

7lbs 12oz barbel for Bob

The river was that brown colour that indicated that the extra water was coming in from the river Lugg. Who cares the barbel kept on coming to the net on a very frequent basis.

Although the fish were smaller than normal from this stretch it was still great to be landing these fish.

Steve had another 8lber this time 8lbs 1oz. We wished it was Bob that would increase his pb.

Business end of a barbel

However Bob did improve on his pb chub when he landed one of 3lbs 12oz. He used to fish the Bristol Avon and in the 70’s a 3lb chub was a good fish.

Bob with pb chub 4lbs 12oz

I do keep an accurate account of fish and weights on my phone and the numbers were running towards my best session on this section of the river at 17.

There were a few chub that came along too but nothing very large.

The numbers of barbel kept creeping up and then Bob had the last barbel of the day at 4lbs and number 18. So we were all pleased.

5 chub too!

A great day out and what a birthday present to give and have.