[Sth Creek Narrabeen Lake]

Nice Shot, I love these small streams.

[Lift Bite.JPG]

The Lift Method - An old method brought back to life by Fred J. Taylor

[My First Big Pike]

Caught on a home made 'Jim Gibbinson Clooper Carp' glass fibre rod and Abu 55 reel and using a Smelt deadbait.

[My First Barbel (5½lb) River Kennet 1975]

I thought it was huge but my mate (Budgie Burgess) said it was only a small one and that I would probably catch a bigger one later; I later caught an 8lb+ Barbel but it is the first one that I will always remember most; it was that one that made me a Barbel convert for life.

 

NB. Caught on a B. James & son Richard Walker MKIV Avon rod and Mitchell 300 reel coupled with 8lb line and a size 4 hook.

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

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.