Trying to fit fishing in with a full time job is tricky. If you have a “floating” day off like me it is important to keep a close eye on the weather forecasts to help determine the species you fish for, and make the most of your sessions.
The amount of rain we have received recently brings a wide eyed smile to a barbel angler. When a river looks un-fishable to most we come out in full force intent on catching a river prince.
This week I went on a very wintery expedition to the River Derwent to try and snag a winter barbel. In this article I will show you how I fished for barbel on a high river in January.
Swim Choice
This is by far the hardest bit to get right, I have found this out the hard way with many fish-less trips over the years. An influx of warm coloured water will turn barbel into feeding monsters, even in the darkest depths of winter.
What to look for:
- A steady flow – Somewhere not too fast. Fish are opportunist feeders, its all about maximum reward for minimum effort. They won’t burn energy holding in a flow when they can sit just off it and pick off food coming down in the current, therefore using less energy. Barbel usually hang around these areas.
- Gravels – I am not 100% convinced that this is an essential for barbel to feed, but it really does help.
These are two of the main features I look for in a high, and coloured river. However, barbel will also be found in:
- Glides
- Undercut banks
- Behind weed rafts
- Behind snags such as dead trees etc
- In and around streamer weed (not really applicable in the winter months as the weed dies off and gets washed away)
Bait & Rig
I used two Drennan Avon Quiver rods (with the heavy tip), with Diawa Emcast 5000A Baitrunners with 10lb Fox Soft Steel Camo line. I fished these on a Korum River Pod.
My End Gear:
As simple as that. I may sometimes change the paste for a stringer of boilies, a PVA bag of chopped boilies, or pellets.
After only an hour or so my rod screamed off (thank Odin I had my freespool on!) and I was into a 13lb 2oz Derwent Torpedo. After a courageous fight in a very strong current I had this lump of muscle on the bank and I was a very happy chappy!
That will definately warm you up on a cold January Day!
13lb 2oz River Derwent Barbel
James’ Top Winter Barbel Fishing Baits:
- Boilies
- Lobworms
- Luncheon Meat
- Paste
- Cheese Paste
James Kirk Angling 