Barbel Fishing At it's Best

I just had to type a little about the mighty Barbel especially as this year has been a bumper one for anglers in and around this area all fishing the tidal and non tidal river Trent from Gainsborough to Newark and beyond, it has been said that the tidal river has and does throw up the larger fish on average and I would have to agree catching and witnessing many fish up and down the tidal stretches every year, it has also been said that this once Barbel barren river will become (or already has) the best Barbel river in the country, it is certainly true that this river holds more fish than any of the other Barbel rich venues around the country and given it's size this should be true ? , however I and many others whom visit it's banks on a regular basis have certainly found it to be populated with double figure fish in most places, it is magnificent to see anglers lining the banks once more and not just on the popular stretches but in the wilds where many an angler would not venture, I can remember setting out from Scunthorpe in the late 70's, driving all the way to Newark stopping along the way desperately trying to find a peg to fish from such was the quality of the fishing although this river now attracts a different type of angler it being more of a specimen type venue, of course the Roach, Chub and Bream are still present but not in the numbers that they used to be when the power stations churned out warm water and the river was more polluted.
If you have not visited this unbelievable anglers paradise then now is the time to catch a wild river Barbel, all you will need is a few pints of hemp and some halibut pellets you can take along some alternative baits from the tried and tested anglers armoury like cheese, luncheon meat, garlic sausage or paste but it is far better to stick to one method for a good few hours feeding the hemp through a slotted feeder, putting in ten to twelve offerings of pellet every 20 minutes or so, this has been the tried and tested formula up and down the river for most of the season and has accounted for many Barbel on the banks well into double figures.

It is always satisfying to take along a fellow angler to catch his first wild river Barbel, well it wasn't his first exactly but he had only had a very small fish some years before so the hunger for a double figure fish was abundant, me and Rob , otherwise known in these parts as fat bloke from his rather rotund appearance set off in search of his first double, not really knowing if the river was going to be in good form and not checking the tide times we fancied a days fishing on this beautiful river whatever the circumstances, we decided to fish some quite well known pegs at the ending of a large bend where it was nice and deep close in and I had already caught several fish earlier this season, we baited up by the usual feeder method delivering some 10 to 15 feeders of hemp into our close swims and a slack handful of pellets followed, a pellet was then placed on a hair rig to a size ten barbless hook with a short 5.5 match team hook length, the trap was set and we both settled down in anticipation of our first run, some time past before either of us had any indications but sure enough the time came when my bait runner screamed and the rod lurched over, I was into a hefty fish which was taking line and heading upstream eventually slowing in the flow , gently I wound down taking the strain and beginning to gain a little line, working the rod and six pound line to it's limit, eventually after a short but hard battle the fish broke surface some four rods out showing it's long golden flanks and erect dorsal fin, every time the fish came near the bank the water erupted and it took flight once more striping line from the reel in a bid to reach freedom, finally after quite a battle I slipped the net under this impressive looking fish, it did not have a mark on it's body and looked a fine specimen weighing in at 11lb's 10 ounces of pure fighting muscle, me and Rob marvelled at the sight of such a fish, wild, uncompromising beauty, I held the fish in the water pointing upstream washing water through it's gills giving it more oxygen, it is important to mention for those of you that have yet to catch your first Barbel that you have to treat these fish gently as they give so much of their energy whilst fighting the battle you must hold the fish in the flow for however long it takes before the fish try's to swim from your grasp with vigour only then letting it go, try not to keep the fish for long periods in a keep net but if you do always peg your net upstream in plenty of water so that the fish can sit in the flow without the need to turn around in your net to face upstream.

Later that afternoon I recall hearing the unmistakable sound of Rob shouting "fish on" which made me reel my rod in and dash to his peg next door knowing that he did not come equipped with waders so I had to do the honours when it came to netting the fish, I arrived at his peg to see him battling with a large fish which was taking line from his reel like a thing possessed, I edged into the water amongst the rocks watching his every move, it was almost as good as catching my first Barbel watching him with his first big fish with the look of expectation straining with this powerful beast attached to his line, gently he delivered a beautiful looking fish towards my waiting net, I looked at the fish and then glanced at his face it was one of ore and contentment, we celebrated weighing the fish in at 10lb's 8 ounces, it was a beautiful looking fish in the prime of it's life, the honorary photo's were taken and the fish released, we drove home that evening telling each other tales of the fight with high expectations of our next visit.
 

                      Rob with his first double                  Another fine example of a big Trent Barbel

                     A pellet ready for action                           A miniature Barbel, glorious