OTIB

Do people still pay for that ? AVG is fine, no traumas, and no cost..simples . You should try it.

Avanti is sold through Red Dragon tackle dealers, mainly I believe, most of it is tat, and I mean tat, and having commercial carp as a logo will deem it worthless

Sorry Ken I was meaning the pond, it's stuffed full of roach, but keep it to yourself.

I have the same problem, so I take anti-h before I have to handle the things, happily I only have to use the little blighters in the river closed season. Make sure you use the non drowsy ant h as you will soon be nodding off

It's was opposite Mythe Pool apparently, Uckinghall is further upstream, I fish them both, the Severn here is very deep so it is possible, to harbour such a fish. There have been reports of late of unseen monsters smashing up anglers, all along the Lower Severn!!! Uckinghall FWIW is a prolific venue, holding large roach shoals and just about everything else, including Grass Carp, I have had them up to 18lb, but they are now in the adjacent river Severn. That's the problem with these 'Kettle' ponds every so often they flood into the river, so any exotic species dumped by thoughtless folk will find there way into the river. As I have mentioned I have hooked into something big, on a couple of occasions, as many have down here, not salmon, or carp but possibly catfish. The record Severn Barbel came from this area last October, and it is a fascinating stretch, but again can be soul destroying, not the sort of place to go if you like plenty of bites. Will wander down there tomorrow and see if the jugglers trapeze artist, clowns etc have come to town!!

I did ask Birmingham AA what their policy was on this, yet to have a reply. But at the moment there doesn't seem to`be any policy of not returning, they have also now taken Zander off the 'kill' list. All good publicity for them though. There have been many reports of anglers hooking into big catfish, I personally have had two episodes that could be attributed to cats, there also have been a few sightings.

In the comics next week.

Talking of big fish vs tackle, how about a 94 lb Wells from the Severn 3am Monday last,on my local bit, on a 2.0t.c barbel rod 12lb line and a 18mm boilie attached to a 10 wide gape hook. Took the captor 70 minutes to land, but land it he did.

I have a Dave Mason 10'6 river rod on a 1M6 blank, fabulous rod equally at home catching roach or barbel. Want do you want to use it for?

Good angling clubs down this way are a fraction of that, I get a long stretch of the Arrow for £25 , a lot of the Teme for £35, and what's left the BAA, including the Wye, Severn Teme, Warks Avon, Lugg, and many more on the tab for £35. and a big Barbel lower Severn venue for £35....Total £130, that's great value. ... and I save by not buying the AM.

Had a few Barbel off the Wye in a early evening session yesterday, river is low and clear, but the one that have spawned are hungry horses. But always aware that with the low oxygen levels correct handling them is of primary importance.

I would just point out that the mussels are a necessary requirement in maintaining a healthy water quality. As pointed out by keepers of Koi carp, you keep water not Koi. The mindset of some anglers is extraordinary, they have a unique lake to fish, and yet they are intent on killing the goose...etc. If all else fails then propose a vote.

Sounds like something I might not be trying soon, add to the fact that casting any distance would be impossible, a waggler (bottom end fixed) will cast like a (dart) a game played in Pubs (Bars) in this country.

Why put Ben Fogle in? There is enough in Mat Hayes alone to present such a show, besides who's gonna put Ben's maggots on the hook?

Never seen her in better trim, fished yesterday for a load of Barbel and must have counted at least 40 Salmon leaps..... river has a wonderful diversity of wildlife to observe, so not just about the fishing. Streamer weed is more than ever on the shallows, how lucky am I to have this River on my doorstep?

Wow! what is his problem with this Rabbit chap? Perhaps he should use the ignore button, I have on him, just for the sake of peace and harmony but to call someone a 'bellend' for having a bit of craic, you have to wonder who the real' bellend' is. Play nicely Tigger, there's a good lad. Board or bored?

Whatever you don't buy the RH Flyweights, bought two and they just fall apart, taken them apart and they are abysmal, OK for small Tigger type Barbel, but anything bigger than 2lb they can't handle.

Look on the Burton ticket, it's the best apparently. It's a fine barbel river and produces some big fish, but you have to put the time and effort in, Try Rob Swindells for advice, top bloke, and also does guiding.

Shouldn't beat yourself up over it, they are probably spawning best leave it alone until they have done the deed. Out last night on the Warks Avon, and it was tough, no bites from the middle so chucked a load of hemp and bits of meat under a willow near bank, and within two minutes I was in to a huge chub, tipped the scales at 7.2, incredible fish and in good condition.

Exactly and not a tin of luncheon meat in sight, bolt rigs or zigs, keep it simple stupid.

Have they finished spawning on the redds then?

You could try a crystal waggler set shallow, use a load of old casters and maggots to get the competing on the top, they are a genuine surface feeder so that should put paid to the skimmers.

Manor Farms is just up the road from me, not really my scene, but does offer easier access and facilities, as well as the chance to land a big lump. But bear in mind there will be lot of others with the same thoughts. If some wish to pitch up riverside then this would be ideal, for those that might prefer to sample the nearby Wye, (and what angler wouldn't?) then there are still opportunities to be had at just £7 per day ticket. Good secure parking and a cafe virtually on site. Of course Barbel will be the main focus, but there are all species to be had. The car park is in a field that is a short walk from the river, the stretch is a long one, there are a couple of pegs that would favour trotting for barbel and chub, in the summer Kyaks are plentiful, but don't really upset the fish, just the occasional angler, but they are all gone by 4pm, leaving you just the river and fish. Sounds ideal? It really is a beautiful stretch.

I use for the most part 1,75 tc rids for the Lower Severn, but would be under gunned for a swollen river like the Severn or Trent, given that you would have to use heavy leads to hold bottom. I am talking anything from 4oz to 6 or even more. However in the Summer , something between 3/4 ounces on the Trent will be OK, so the 1.75 rod should be fine. Best method on the Lower Trent would be large feeders that are flat bottomed, 10 or 12 lb line, 10 lb bottom, stuff the feeder full of pellet ground bait and wait for the barbs to find you. Cast every 5 minutes or so and they will come Keep the rod pointing up, Trent style. I like the Drennan flat feeders, I use insulation tape over the holes to slow down the feed rate, you can also use the tape to add or reduce lead till you get it right. The Dove is different, essentially a stalking river, so feed lightly, and get on your toes. The 1.75 rod will be fine here. Good luck, and enjoy.

Somewhere on the Trent? It is after all the most prolific Barbel River the Burton Clubs will offer plenty of venues, but what experience do you have with Barbel? You will need sturdy tackle, it's a big old river on the lower sections. For a smaller River look at the Dove, a beautiful river but can be hard.