Up in the morning and out to school,
The teacher is teachin’ the golden rule…………………. And that rule is all things barbel!
Not your everyday school this one, I’ve just spent a most enjoyable day at The Barbel School.
I can look back on my own schooldays with affection; my love for fishing was well and truly instilled back at my senior school in Tottenham during the early sixties. Together with my two best pals I would set off on all kinds of adventures and I well remember rowing across Hickling Broad in the howling rain, bunking our way into Walthamstow Reservoirs before we were 16 and then – the Eureka moment – finding barbel on the old LAA stretch of the River Lea at Wormley, halcyon days indeed.
In our minds back then we were the big three, Dick, Fred J and I was Peter Stone, as I say along with many others of my generation, I can look back to those days with great fondness.
Anyway, enough of the reminiscing, lets get back to the present day…
The Barbel School could hardly be sited in more pleasant surroundings, the Teme Valley just downstream of Tenbury Wells is a truly stunning location and as we drove through the winding lanes, bright and early to make sure I was not late for assembly, it was easy to appreciate why us fisher folk are definitely privileged members of the human race.
As we opened the gate and pulled into the drive that led down the hill to the river’s edge the full vista opened up and for a moment I wondered if we had arrived at a mini Glastonbury transported to the Worcestershire countryside, an anglers village had magically appeared overnight complete with caravans, tents, bivvies, gazebos and lots of cars………it was clear that no one had wanted to skip classes on this lazy, hazy, warm and sunny morning.
Dave Mason, that very well known and popular barbel angler, was not only host on his own stretch but took the role of headmaster as well and together with his band of helpers a highly professional set up was well and truly in place. I was greeted by them all and then tucked into a fabulous breakfast before the proceedings got under way.
Twenty anglers all with a passion for barbel fishing and all wanting to further their knowledge with one or two yet to taste the thrill of a fighting barbel on the end of their line had all enrolled on this very first Barbel School event. They covered the full age spectrum with the oldest well into his seventies!
They all sat looking and listening attentively as I gave the opening introduction.
Dave, together with his right hand man Rob Swindells, had put together a full timetable for the weekend and pretty much every aspect was covered and as the morning progressed everyone had become totally absorbed and the excitement and anticipation was absolutely tangible.
I had brought along a selection of my centrepin reels and the pupils enjoyed the feel of the Speedias, Rapidex’s, Trudex and Aerials. I’m sure I converted those who had never seen or used one for their barbel fishing. I then went through The Barbel Society Handling Code in detail and after that I was able to sit back and leave everything in the capable hands of Dave and Rob as they went through tackle selection, rigs, photography, bait and everything else you could possibly think of pertaining to barbel and barbel fishing.
If you’ve never seen Dave put on his bait demonstration you’ve missed out, he makes Jamie Oliver and Masterchef look pale imitations as his enthusiasm for the subject spills over and he gets full audience participation!
Then it was off for a walk along the river to understand and appreciate watercraft and to experience the art of “pond dipping” grown up and river style!
Rob ended up in the river with his net and the subsequent look on everyone’s faces when Dave rummaged in true Dr David Bellamy style through the contents was an absolute joy. Fishing is one of the only things I know that gives as much enjoyment at seventy years young as seven!
With Pete Reading alongside Dave there was a real scientific edge to the discussion as the intricate details of invertebrate water life was uncovered. Great stuff!
And then it was time for the pupils to put it all into practice.
With the sun beating down and the river running low the conditions were far from ideal but one fortunate fellow managed to catch his very first barbel and his excitement knew no bounds. Another one off and running on a journey that for us old hands will never end.
As the sun set on a fabulous day it was time for more grub.
Ring ring goes the bell, the cook in the lunchrooms ready to sell……………well Dave’s boys preparing the barbeque anyway.
You’re lucky if you can find a seat………………….We managed and everyone was certainly ready for something to eat, and a fine feast it was too!
I cannot praise the organisation highly enough, Dave and his team were simply awesome and looked after everyone so well, the camaraderie and friendship between people who had only met up on the day was a pure joy and testament to the power of fishing.
We then held a raffle where every single pupil won at least a couple of prizes, good ones as well!
And then it was time for me to go but for the pupils and teachers another full days fishing was in prospect after what I understand was a very late night around the campfire.
The Barbel Society will be putting on more Barbel School weekends at other venues across the country so make sure you keep an eye out for details, they are likely to prove very popular and I can promise you will have a great time.
My Fishing…
On my fishing front the season is just about to really get under way and for the next four months I’ll be on the banks of either the Kennet, Wye, Severn, Avon and Teme at least three days a week, so plenty to write about as I meet up with all kinds of people.
The past few weeks have been taken up with family affairs, the wedding of my youngest daughter was a major event and one I will cherish for many a long day. As much as I love my barbel fishing family always comes first and maintaining some kind of a balance in a hectic schedule that seems to get busier the older I get is the name of my game.
I’ve been out on the Wye, had a couple of nice guys on a two day guiding session. I mention this because it may well help anyone who is visiting this majestic river. We had struggled to find the fish during the day but I had been steadily baiting a six feet deep swim under the rod top hoping the fish would show later as evening approached.
Comes six o’ clock and the guys decide they have to visit the pub to have dinner, I tried my level best to convince them otherwise at the same time declining their kind offer to join them. But they were insistent.
Big mistake on their part, before they had reached the end of the long track I had landed two nice barbel and another four more graced my net before I called it a day. Good fish as well, a couple of eights and one over nine.
Moral of the story, your dinner can always wait…………….a barbel’s can’t!
Enjoy your fishing; I’m off to the Severn, back soon.
Steve.
