My day on the River Kennet with Graham Elliott

My first Kennet barbel at 7lb 3oz

My Day on the Kennet with Graham Elliott

I was of the lucky ones who won a day with Graham Elliott on the FM online James Farrow memorial auction. I am happy to see the money going to such a good cause.

For weeks I was looking forward to the day, yet I was also very nervous to say the least. What if I should make a total numpty of myself, and make a mess of everything I have learnt in the past 2 years since I started fishing, what if I forget to pack half of the gear I need? What bait shall I take; hook size, mainline etc…well, you know all the questions when fishing a new venue.

The weather forecast for the day wasn’t ideal for barbel fishing in my opinion, bright sunshine and high temperature but I wasn’t worried too much, my main intentions were more in learning about watercraft, what to look for in a potential barbel swim, rigs, baits etc. Catching a whiskers would only be a bonus.

I finally met up with Graham on Wednesday at 10am and after a quick introduction we took a walk along the Kennet where Graham’s excellent reputation as a guide and tutor were soon to be proven once more.

After a short walk along the river, I had my first lesson in watercraft as Graham pointed out a few potential barbel swims with either deep holes, steady pace flow on the edge of faster runs and where the river narrows.

We settled in our first swim, the water was slightly coloured and the flow was a steady pace. Here I had my second lesson in rigs, bait and where the barbel might be gently swaying in the flow.

Even with intense lesson of underarm casting I did not manage to place the feeder where it should have been, so my tutor had to come to my rescue.

Our first….

….swims

One very brave man….

…. for putting up with me for a day

Although I had a couple of positive knocks on my rod, the fish weren’t interested in feeding, so after an hour or so Graham suggested we move on to another swim.

After a quick bit of banter with a few other anglers who haven’t had any luck either, Graham suggested to fish the weir for a couple of hours, even though the guys who were fishing there before hadn’t had any luck.

We set up about around 50-75 yards downstream from the weir and Graham did the first cast (right to the opposite bank) for me to show me exactly where to place the bait.

Needless to say my thoughts at that moment..well, it was something like, “how on earth am I going get to that spot?” The opposite bank looked 100 miles away.

Not long after his superb cast I had a very positive knock and the rod bend right over, proof indeed that the man was living up to his excellent reputation.

I picked up the rod and started reeling in like my life depended on it as I wasn’t allowed to give the fish any slack to stop it from speeding downstream behind an island. In no time I managed to guide the fish over the gravel bar, through the weed patch and it soon was coaxed into the net.

I was determined to cast myself this time and try to get as close to the opposite bank as I could. After two attempts I managed to place the bait spot on, which resulted in another whiskers of 6lb which decided to head straight into a snag on the edge of the island.

I must admit I was lost and wasn’t sure what to do, so yet again Graham came to my rescue, walking the rod on to the weir bridge so he was in a straight line with the fish. He gently guided the fish out of the snag, handed the rod over to me and let me do the honours of playing the fish back to our swim.

The cheeky whiskers

I was determined to try for another one all on my own…so out went another cast to the same spot, whilst Graham took a little dabble in the swim next to me.

I was sorry to interrupt his 5 minutes peace but I was yet again into another fish and this time it felt like a good one. Again I had to guide the fish over the gravel bar, through the weed patch and soon Graham had the net under the fish, which didn’t look that big from where I stood but the smile on Graham’s face told me that this was a better sized one. Once he lifted the blighter on to the mat I realized that this might be a double figure one.

A sneaky picture taken by Graham whilst I was fighting with a monster

My dream came true, a very pretty 10lb 14oz barbel

I jumped for joy and a big thank you hug for Graham was in order as I really couldn’t have done it without his knowledge of the river and excellent guidance. (I think the hug made him blush though, lol). I kissed the fish ‘Goodbye’, whispered a ‘thank you’ and released her by holding her into the flow until she revived.

The tutor is pleased….

….with his student

About 45 minutes later I was in again, this time it was a little 5-pounder, that still put up a good struggle but soon was safely landed and released to live on happily ever after.

But the day wasn’t over yet, Graham was determined to show me more of the beautiful river Kennet and we moved further upstream, past the weir. Talk about dedication to his customers, my lovely tutor wanted to see if I can catch a nice chub and beat my present PB of 4lb4oz.

Another swim was chosen and the decision was made to fish it for about 1-2 hours, also to give us a chance to chill and relax before taking the long walk back.

The swim proved not to be very productive however. I guess the bright sunshine and high temperature didn’t help, so after about 1.5 to 2hrs Graham suddenly told me to bring my rod in and to leave it on the rest. He then took me to a swim a little bit further downstream and with a swift underarm swing he placed the feeder about 5 yards to my left, about 10 inches in front of an overhanging bush. I then had my orders to watch the rod like a hawk whilst Graham went back to collect our gear.

Great, I thought this wasn’t a swim, it was more like a jungle, overhanging trees, bushes, weed, nettles (ouch)… what if I get a bite? No room to strike.

I sat down in the nettles and didn’t take my eyes off the quivertip which indicated little trembles, crayfish, Graham had said they were, so I ignored it and kept staring at the rod tip.

First positive knock. Not yet I thought to myself, then a second knock which put a good bend in to the tip so I picked up the rod (the only way to go), just to find that I missed the bite.

This happened twice, those cheeky chub were playing games with me, Graham must have found this very amusing, as I was sulking like a spoilt brat.

The fish were there so Graham decided on one last swift underarm cast to be sure the bait was placed accurately on to the same spot and again I sat down and kept my eyes glued to the rod tip. Again the rod tip indicated a couple of small knocks.

“Those chub are sucking on the bait,” Graham said. “Not yet girl, wait for the rod tip to bend right over.”

“Yes Daddy,” was my cheeky reply and I sat and waited and waited and, suddenly – BANG!!!! Finally I managed to connect with the fish. Suddenly I broke out in sweat, how on earth do I manage to keep the fish out of the snag? The swim was surrounded by them, bushes to the right, overhanging tree to the left in a very tight swim.

My first Kennet chub

My only thought was that I’m NOT going to lose this one, so I held the rod tip close to the water in order not to get snagged in the tree, keeping the bend in the rod tip and the tension on the line.

Soon a superb looking chub of 3lb 8oz slipped into the net, not a new PB but nevertheless, a beautiful fish to end the day with.

I think Graham was happy to end the day with his cheeky student.

I would like to say a massive Thank You to Graham, a true gentleman and an excellent guide and tutor. I have learnt a great deal about barbel and watercraft from this great man.

If anyone would like to book a guide to fish the Kennet Graham is certainly the person for it. I can highly recommend his service, he is a chap who WILL show you how to catch those whiskers. He taught me, so if I can do it, anybody can.

Thanks Graham, you a star for giving me such a memorable day.