Hmmmmm ... I finish work at 23:00 on the 15th and start late on the 17th, so starting at midnight is on (and something I've never done). I work a short drive from my intended river.
What night fishing gear do you folks use for spells on the river? I have a Camping Gaz lamp, but no miner's lamp type stuff.
Do barbel + chub feed much at night?

tight lines

Do they ever!! Most of my barbel fishing is done after dark - or at least the hours leading upto midnight. I travel quite light (usually only have short sessions) - may but a brolly up if it's a damp night - probably the most valuable bit of kit IS some kind of head torch - as it keeps both hands free - and beacuse you'll never look directly into the light will help to preserve your night vision. Also it REALLY pays to orientate yourself in daylight first. Know the bank well. Think about where you might land a fish and how you'll put it back. Also know your swim, casting in the dark can be quite hard to judge - so maybe pick swims on the near bank where a simple under-arm cast will put the bait where you want it.


Chris

Good tips from Chris there, I would only add to pack an extra jumper, its surprising how much it chills down at night.

I would pack a life jacket, because if you fish anywhere near other people with a Camping Gaz lamp, you will probably find that you suddenly need it.

the light will hinder you ,you may see to tie a hook but will be blinded and unable to cast because of the persistance of vision effect of the glare in your head,get a headlamp its better but less easy to light fags with

Hi GlennB, My advise is to try to do without lights at all. Take hook lengths already tied to a swivel in a wallet of some sort.
Learn to do the following : 1) bait up by touch, 2) tie the main line to the swivel in the dark, without a torch, 3) touch ledger, 4) unhook fish by touch (easier with barbless hooks), 5) KEEP QUIET.
This way nothing knows you are there, which is important on clear small rivers.
The only thing you need a torch for is checking the scales when you land a good fish.
If you can’t swim, use a buoyancy aid, Fox do an inflatable one. Lastly, make sure that someone knows where you are and what time you are expected back.
Leave the camping Gaz equipment at home, a miners type head light may be useful if you have to walk around during darkness but keep the light off the water.
Best of luck, I’m sure you will find night fishing enjoyable. I think the senses other than sight are heightened after dark and bites when touch ledgering are electric.
Peter.

Can be very entertaining waiting for mid night on the 15th, fish rolling and crashing everywhere. The lake boiling....then 00:00:01....stillness and quiet..... Best entertainment I ever saw was when the EA turned up and checked everyones license at 23:55, I kid you not. Very sporting of them really not wait until 00:00:01, mind there are no fish in the lake after midnight ....