Trotting for Barbel - advice please

[Matthew Simmons]

I know the otters are around. I would love to see one - preferably when leaving after a day bagging up!

 

I've been busy with Jubilee and Olympics so I've had a very busy time, only the Paralympics to go and then some fishing will come my way. Just in time for percha nd grayling. I went to the Kennet in June (17th) and the Whitewater in July (twice) so I've been keeping my hand in by reading what everyone else is doing. I might go out on Sunday morning at sparrowfart before going to work. I reckon freelined and/or legered bread or trotted maggot on the Whitewater or Loddon would be up my street for a few hours of peaceful seclusion away from the City life.

 

Can't wait!

 

Mike

 

September is a good time to kick off actually - but it must be frustrating. Ah the lost art of freelining - now you're talking. Had some nice chub off the Loddon a couple of weeks ago on bread flake in the evenings - nothing huge (by Loddon standards) and some pounders which is great for the future.

 

Good luck if you do get out sunday!

 

M

[lutra]

You assume a lot, you should really read my post again, I did not advocate heavy gear in snag pits as you put it, in fact I fish light as I can, but if you can advise me what fly rod I could use on a small river that would be fine

As far as your digs I am not sure what motivates you, but I am happy with what I do with my fishing and I always learn more no matter how good we 'think' we are.

 

Probably applies to you too.

I didn't assume anything and I never said you said anything. You try reading a few post again.

 

As for the fly rod (as with any rod), one that is well match to what ever hooklength you think you need wouldn't be a bad place to start. Not much good using 15lb line with a #2 rod or 1lb on a #12.

[Nicepix]

Seems to me that you are an angler of little flyfishing experience and don't have a very wide one in barbel fishing. All barbel fishing isn't and doesn't need to be done with heavy gear in snag pits.

 

 

Barbel are just little pusssy cats compared to some fish that get caught with fly gear.

 

You are right. In the UK I reckon mullet are pound for pound harder fighting fish than barbel.

 

My experience of fly fishing for barbel was however carried out in snag pits for the simple reason that the density of barbel in my local rivers was such that I never ever saw shoals of them feeding over gravel glides as I had years previously when fishing the Wharfe. Local barbel were mainly solitary or in very small groups. To find barbel to cast to in the Dearne or Don meant finding weed and that was the snag - literally.

 

But when fishing the gravel glides of the Wharfe for trout and grayling I never had a barbel take my fly. The only barbel I ever hooked by accident was on the Don an a Klink'. The 3lb leader didn't stand a chance.

 

If you could find an open area where barbel shoal and can be approached from downstream then you are in with a chance. But who wants to go Czech nymphing with an 8 weight? Personally I like to cast. Can't do with that short line stuff.

[Guest redfin2]

I didn't assume anything and I never said you said anything. You try reading a few post again.

 

As for the fly rod (as with any rod), one that is well match to what ever hooklength you think you need wouldn't be a bad place to start. Not much good using 15lb line with a #2 rod or 1lb on a #12.

 

''Little experience in fly fishing, and don't have a wide one in Barbel fishing..''.that was an assumption as you know nothing of me.

 

Balanced tackle, thank you for the example, handy for those that need to know regarding fly gear, but not for me.

[Guest redfin2]

You are right. In the UK I reckon mullet are pound for pound harder fighting fish than barbel.

 

My experience of fly fishing for barbel was however carried out in snag pits for the simple reason that the density of barbel in my local rivers was such that I never ever saw shoals of them feeding over gravel glides as I had years previously when fishing the Wharfe. Local barbel were mainly solitary or in very small groups. To find barbel to cast to in the Dearne or Don meant finding weed and that was the snag - literally.

 

But when fishing the gravel glides of the Wharfe for trout and grayling I never had a barbel take my fly. The only barbel I ever hooked by accident was on the Don an a Klink'. The 3lb leader didn't stand a chance.

 

If you could find an open area where barbel shoal and can be approached from downstream then you are in with a chance. But who wants to go Czech nymphing with an 8 weight? Personally I like to cast. Can't do with that short line stuff.

 

Yes Mullet are hard fighters, even some compare to Bonefish, but it's all relative of course, depending on the rod and line that is used. besides I thought we were talking freshwater species here?

Loads of streamer weed on the Wye, and never had too much problem with getting barbel through that, without resorting to using heavy test curve rods etc.

Perhaps you had different weed up there?

[lutra]

''Little experience in fly fishing, and don't have a wide one in Barbel fishing..''.that was an assumption as you know nothing of me.

 

Balanced tackle, thank you for the example, handy for those that need to know regarding fly gear, but not for me.

Is miss quoting me the best you can do Rabbit? A little sad for someone who claims to have so much experience.

[Guest redfin2]

Is miss quoting me the best you can do Rabbit? A little sad for someone who claims to have so much experience.

 

Sorry you are not making sense, perhaps you should pm me rather than carry on this way on what is a very good thread.

[lutra]

Lots and lots of barbel are caught on the fly in Spain, in much higher temps than in UK. Are you suggesting that they all die as a result?

I was under the impression that the Spanish barbel are Southern barbel (Barbus meridionalis i think that is) and there maybe other kinds as well which might explain why they may be a little more tolerant of warmer temps than the UKs Barbus Barbus. Or am i wrong?

[Sportsman]

I was under the impression that the Spanish barbel are Southern barbel (Barbus meridionalis i think that is) and there maybe other kinds as well which might explain why they may be a little more tolerant of warmer temps than the UKs Barbus Barbus. Or am i wrong?

TBH Brian, I don't know. There are several species including the Cozimo that goes up to 40Lb.

Of course, you could never expect to land something like that on a fly rod, especially from a float tube.

 

 

Sorry, I know it has nothing to do with anything. It;s just an excuse to show a fantastic video again

[Tigger]

TBH Brian, I don't know. There are several species including the Cozimo that goes up to 40Lb.

Of course, you could never expect to land something like that on a fly rod, especially from a float tube.

 

 

Sorry, I know it has nothing to do with anything. It;s just an excuse to show a fantastic video again

 

 

Now that does look like fun .