Barbel (7 to 9lb) Caught in the Early 80s - River Kennet

OI OI,

Get em back in the water, hope you know better now.

Yes merlino, we wouldn't dream of sacking them nowerdays, in those days we all thought it was ok to use 'loose weave' hessian sacks (one Barbel per sack) pegged out (to keep them pointing upstream). The Barbel were always fully recovered when we released them after photographing them at first light. But now of course we recover & release them straight after capture; even if we don't have any photos.

I would only use my more modern Barbel Tube (pegged out) if I ever caught a record breaker in the middle of the night, and then only for the shortest time possible until the fish can be verified. (So my Barbel Tube may never even get used).

 

NB. Caught on a B. James & son Richard Walker MKIV Avon rod and Mitchell 300 reel.