Martin Bowler on his one-night stand with barbel

02 June 2008 16:57

Why is our perception of a good barbel river somewhat different to reality?

Clear, chalk-filtered water with wafting streamer weed and long gravel runs sounds perfect, but while rivers like the Hampshire Avon and Dorset Stour do hold heads of barbel, I don’t know if you could use the word  ‘prolific’ to describe them.

On the other hand a wide, open, murky expanse of water sparsely laced with weed and strewn with boulders hardly gets the pulse racing. But in the depths of the Severn and Trent you will find a thriving population of barbel – from tiddlers to net-busting monsters.

Yes, it would seem that history and tradition have hoodwinked us into believing a fairy tale. The rivers of the south may appeal visually to us anglers, but to barbel the mighty rivers of the Midlands hold sway. Being within striking distance, I have managed to foster a relationship with the Severn. Unfortunately, at three hours one way, the Trent, for me, has simply been the occasional one-night stand. But even on these spasmodic visits I have found the barbel willing. So when I was summoned to Dynamite Baits’ HQ near Nottingham it seemed rude not to pack the rods as well.

The day began with brain-storming sessions on new products. Then, finally, it was time to field-test a new Method mix – on the Trent.

I was put in the hands of operations director Marcus Twidale, a man born and bred on the Trent. He has tempted more fish than I have had hot dinners. Our destination? On Marcus’ suggestion it was to be the Ferry Farm stretch at Thrumpton, a venue which had recently produced barbel into double figures for him.

As we were in the shadow the power station, the traditional fare of casters and hemp was replaced by pellets and boilies. With this rich diet and a habitat to suit, it was frightening to think what the Trent could achieve – a record breaker? Who knows?

Marcus pointed out the hotspots within its depths – knowledge that can come only with experience. Sometimes I take for granted the clear water of my local rivers and how it helps me locate fish.

We settled into adjacent swims and I began the task of introducing some feed. While it worked its magic, I prepared my tackle. Remember, a barbel swim is like a fine wine – it should always be given time to breathe.

With my inside information, I knew a gravel run was a third of the way out at the two o’clock position. Below this the river began to rise and become littered with boulders.

This was No Man’s Land. To simply throw your bait in by hand in such a powerful venue is to scatter it to the four winds. Accurate placement is key here and, in all probability, the most vital thing you will do all day.

You can use a baitdropper, but I am a great fan of groundbait. My mix was a 50/50 blend of our prototype Method mix and damp leam. The leam adds weight and gets the food quickly to the riverbed. It is simply a carrier, so I laced it heavily. A good dose of 6mm Marine Halibut Pellets was followed by crushed Spicy Prawn boilies. Once I had formed them into orange-sized balls I fed 10 of them at a 12 o’clock position. Remember, on these big rivers fortune favours the brave – barbel are hungry creatures and they need to be fed.

While all the commotion was allowed to settle down I began to tackleup. The Avon-style rods and 10lb line of ‘traditional’ barbel rivers have no place here. Such tactics will see you being chewed up and spat out.

Two pound tc rods with large Okuma Epix Pro reels were the order of the day, and on to these I loaded 15lb line. At the business end came a long length of anchor rig tubing, its purpose being to prevent cut offs on rocks.

A Method feeder was followed by 12ins of coated braid and a strong size 8 hook. Finally came the bait – a 15mm Spicy Prawn boilie.

For my Method mix I removed the leam and used the raw groundbait. As a finishing touch I gave it a good old squirt of High Attract liquid.

With everything ready, it was time to begin the assault as two Method balls crashed down. In the fast flow my lines soon tensed and the rod-tips pulled round into position.

The session was planned to go on into darkness, so I had half-a-dozen spare hooklengths ready. The bottom can be cruel to hookpoints, and you don’t want to be tying up rigs in darkness.

Momentarily I turned round to get my tackle box and, as my eyes swung back round, I was greeted by the sight of an airborne rod heading waterwards like an Exocet missile. A basic error – not putting the reel into freespool.

Before I could get off my seat the rod crashed down and was towed under. Quickly I grabbed my other rod and cast it downstream. Reeling slowly, I caught hold of something and began to winch it back.

From out of the river rose my rod-tip – unbelievably, the hook had caught hold of the tip eye! I retrieved my dripping outfit and was glad no-one had seen this so called ‘expert’ in action.

After calming down for five minutes I felt ready to face the river again. This time, though, I checked the freespool a dozen times.

When the rod-tip next lurched over, the spool spun like a Catherine Wheel. I bent into my foe and began to run up the bank. The fish had to be lifted quickly off the rocky bed.

As the angle of the line rose I knew I was winning – all remaining fight could be subdued by the rod-tip. A long, lean bronze torso lay in my net, gills puffing in exhaustion.

At 10lb 7oz it looked magnificent. If the barbel were happy in this river, I was equally as happy to be there.

» To fish Ferry Farm,Thrumpton, call Mr M R Priestley on 0115 9830836 or 0115 9830385. Tickets are £4 per day, cars £1. Night tickets cost £5 (8pm- 9am). A season ticket is £35 (£40 including car parking). Tickets are available on the bank.