Following on from the success of the previous weekend (see link below) I was eager to get back onto the river chasing barbel. We had had another consistently mild week, with steady rainfall. The levels and conditions would not have fluctuated which hopefully would lead to a reasonable chance of a whisker or two feeding.
The trip was arranged via text messages with my mate Jason on the Saturday night, along with tips on how to prepare his meat…….. We would be tackling a new section of the river which I had never seen before, so I was eager to get there.
Jason was on his way for mid morning, but due to my family commitments – two young boys – I would be unable to get to the river much before 2pm. Still, normally this wouldn’t bother me as I like to fish into dark and firmly believe that quality time on the bank overrides quantity of time spent fishing – plus it fits in with the wife!
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The river was powering through
My expectations were doused slightly when I first saw the river, it was ‘powering’ through at a tremendous rate, and well up. The saving grace was that the water had a degree of clarity to it rather than the awful ‘chocolate’ that usually occurs in these conditions. As I wandered down the river I met Jason who was fishing a fabulous bend that almost looked like the proverbial ‘whirlpool’. Unfortunately, no bites as yet, but we were both optimistic.
I quickly set up downstream in a tree-lined section that provided a slight respite from the strong current. And then we ‘leapfrogged’ our way down the river, not staying more than 20 minutes in a peg. I still wanted to catch, even though this was more of a ‘recce’ session for me. The big problem as far as I was concerned was trying to read the river having no idea of the bottom or how the pegs looked in normal conditions. Still, in these conditions, it was almost impossible to fish more than a rod length out. Holding bottom even with 4oz and a huge bow was ineffective as the rubbish coming down the river soon dragged the bait back into the near side.As I settled into my peg at around 4pm, the sun came out of the blue sky, which is normally the kiss of death to barbel.
Nod, nod, then a log!
I had found a slack a foot from the bank with no current whatsoever. I settled into my chair, sun on my back, and looped the line around my index finger, clicked the bait runner on and sat watching the tip. I think I nodded off, as the next thing my finger was jammed against the butt ring and the line was getting tighter!I struck into what felt like a log at first, before the characteristic ‘nod nod’ indicated a good fish was on. Then it took off downstream and into the current at a hectic pace. The clutch gave line, maybe 20 yards on the first run, and try as I might, I couldn’t stop it.
| TACKLE, TACTICS AND BAIT |
| The plan of attack was 12lb Tri-lene mainline to 10lb Kryston silkworm . A 3oz running lead clipped on with a John Roberts low resistance ring would help with the presentation, as there would obviously be a fair bit of rubbish coming down the river. A knotless-knot tied to a number 4 Super Specialist baited with a huge piece of Spam, liberally smeared with Bovril, would be the main line of attack. I tend to use either Spam or Bacon Grill when fishing flood conditions, Spam is much firmer than most brands and stands the bouncing around that ensues as the bait is manouvered around the swim. Activ-8 boilies were at the ready if needed. |
The rod was full over and I could feel the line grating against something.I shouted Jason, sensing I had a good fish on and knowing that landing it was going to be difficult in the strong current.
The fish was now fully 35 yards down the river and moving out into the main current. I toyed with the option of following the fish downstream and trying to gain line, but a tree just ten yards down on my side would stop that. The fish by now was over to the far bank and I could feel the line grating against something hidden under the surface. I made some ground on the fish, as it came upstream slowly, but this was probably more to do with the fact that the fish wanted to come upstream!
I made 20yds of line but still no sight of the fish
As Jason ‘the bream’ arrived puffing and panting after a thirty yard jog, the fish had moved well past me and was on its way upstream. Now was the time to try and get it back over to my side of the river. I increased the side strain almost to the point of breaking and slowly the fish started to come, once in the full current I was able to really bully the fish and with sidestrain full on and the current also battling it, I made 20 yards of line.
We still hadn’t seen the fish after nearly ten minutes as it kept taking line against the clutch every time I thought it was ready. By now my arm was aching and I was beginning to think maybe I had foul-hooked a fish. I gradually increased the pressure but kept the clutch set on the slack side – now was not the time to lose a fish. Slowly I could feel the fish was losing ground. It wasn’t as deep in the water now, and experience told me that the fight was nearing an end. Once the fish was off the bottom, it was just a matter of watching for the fish’s final surge for freedom. Luckily, as the fish broke surface and rolled, Jason was ready and netted it at the first attempt.
His choice and colour (blue) of language confirmed that we were looking at a double-figure barbel. As we let it recover in the water prior to unhooking it I guessed it was easily 11lb, probably more.
The bulldog breed
What was, and always is, different with Dove barbel is the size of the fins and the sheer bulk of the fish around the shoulders. Graham calls them ‘bulldogs’ and it’s easy to see why. Compared to similar size barbel from the Severn, the Dove fish always look stockier.
As we hoisted the fish up on the scales, the dial settled and at last I had realised my five year crusade for a double-figure barbel. It pulled 11lb 7oz, and while not my biggest barbel, it was easily my biggest from the Dove by nearly 2lbs.
A couple of quick photos and then the fish was held in the current for several minutes until I felt the strength returning to it. As it powered off I felt a huge sense of achievement, but also at the same time I knew deep down that it could possibly be a long, long time before I break my Dove PB again …. possibly.
