Chris and James fishing the river Wye and the first guided double of the season.

James had wanted to fish the river Wye for barbel and asked if his friend Chris could come along. There is never a problem with this as it normally leads to fair bit of banter between the 3 of us.

James had just returned to angling after a break and wanted to see what was needed tackle wise and also learn about barbel. We set the date ages ago however with most things it soon comes around quick enough, it’s similar to birthdays I guess.

I agreed to meet them early in the morning. Having arrived first I had sufficient time to get the rods set up and ready to go.

We were using the West Country barbel slick sense feeder mix and their medium elips pellets. The feeders were the normal FFF feeders the Paul Frisk kindly lets me have. I get them in various sizes from 3 oz to 5 oz. The reason behind this is that once you put them on the river bed you don’t want them to move and snag into rocks. So heavy ones are most useful in stopping this from happening.

So we met and started fishing. The Wye is very low at the moment and rocks are a hazard. So takes are sometimes so savage they can cut the hooklink and line easily.

I’m not going into the day too detailed other than the fact that Chris was first into a fish and a small chub of about 2lbs came in easily. James was next on the rods and “Boom” he soon hooked and played a new pb of 8lbs 14oz.

He was just a little pleased to say the least.

8lbs 14oz

Then we march James off to another swim and whilst this happened Chris landed 3 barbel to 7bs 14oz and a 3lb chub. Boom!

Chris 7lbs 12oz

Chris was more than pleased with the result and invited the exiled James back to fish again.

Big smiles all around

The team reunited the guy’s had a great session for the afternoon catching some barbel and chub.

Chris on the rods

Fishing buddies

Now I was really knackered and said I would be leaving them at 8.15pm with the hour drive home the 4.30 get up time was taking it’s toll.

I was slowly packing weigh sling scales unhooking mat away. Camera safe and sound, bait buckets cleaned. I said to Chris and James this is where the tip flies around and  barbel is caught. No sooner as the words left my mouth the rod did a 3ft twitch and fish on. Boom!

I love this happening. The fish looked a good one too.

James did a great job of playing the barbel to the net. As soon as I saw her there in the net I thought deffo a nine and perhaps just perhaps a double.

On the scales she went 10lbs 2oz

All I said was get yer tits out for the camera

10lbs 2oz dream

That was it I headed for the hills after taking the photo’s and the boys stay on I think one chub was all they caught after I had left……….it’s all about the guide!

Great day great company and I hope I fish with these guy’s again.

Happy days and the first guided barbel double of the season.

I hope you younger people understand “Boom” for we had a right laugh saying this. lol