Tweek

An insightful comment Ken but completely missing my point. When describing the location of the river it should be written either as "river Avon at ....." or the county through which it is flowing. Evesham is in Worcestershire and by not recording the incredible sport from these stretches gives a skewed opinion that Warwickshire is the place to be.

Good on you Janet! Every angler has their lucky days but the time and effort you have put in on your lake means this was no luck. Congrats on a landing a tench PB and I look forward to reading your next article when you tell us about you landing a right hook on the idiot demeaning your skill. Love the photos too. Tight lines to you!

I don't know where to start with this one!! Carp anglers can be talented but there are many who are lazy, glory hunters. With a self-hooking rig, a bite alarm to tell you when you got one and barbed hooks so it doesn't get off while you drag another low double to the net on 20lb braid...where is the skill? As for catching nothing else, the worst example I have seen off this is a "carp angler" moaning with a face like a smacked arse as he grumpily returned a double figure bream, then beaming like an Olympic champion when photographing a 13lb common carp. Who's the noddy weirdo then Rich? Carp anglers are just disappointed now because there are heavier fish, ie catfish and sturgeon in UK waters, possibly imported therefore no record but it won't be long before the carp record is also under scrutiny. Also there are harder fighting fish pound for pound, ie barbel which are more difficult to catch than the pigs with fins carp stocked into so many waters. Give me the various species to catch rather than the monotany of carp!

It's strange that so many are complaining about not being aware of this proposal. It was front page news on the Angling Times dated 30.06.09! It gave you the link and advise you to have your say. I have taken them up on there offer and I emplore all anglers to do likewise, whatever your views.

Since the start of the season I have switched my attention from my usual haunts of lakes to the running waters. I have not fished a river in almost a decade and returned to find it that I enjoyed probably my most session ever. On the 28th June, I travelled to the Avon near Evesham. With no knowledge of the river and no other anglers about to gain advice I chose a likely looking swim and set up. My hope was to catch a barbel as I had never acheived that from running water and my personal best was 3lb from a lake. After a few hours without a tremor on my quivertip I was beginning to wonder if I knew what I was doing. Then the rod snapped around viciously and judging by the resistance my PB was in danger. After a short but agressive fight I finally netted the finest fish I have ever seen. It was a fin perfect barbel and I was shaking as I put her in the sling. The needle shot around and when it stopped at 13lb I knew this to be a moment to stay with me for ever. After a few quicks photos (which turned out terrible!!) I waded out to return her to the water and was relunctant to let her go, but after ten minutes recovery she swam off. I finished the day with three other barbel to 9lb 8oz. I haven't stopped smiling since. My two main points are: 1. Give the rivers a go..you never know what you may get. 2. I did not fish the Warks Avon or the Bristol Avon, this IS the Worcs Avon and long may it thrive.

Hi everyone, Just joined and have enjoyed reading the topics on the forums. They cover a wide range of issues and the friendliness of you all is welcome. I have been fishing for as long as i can remember (Thanks Grandad!) and at my most contented with a line in the water. I hope to offer you the helpful tips I have picked up and show some of the recent catches i have had too.