Finding the one

Keith counts his blessings as he battles through 'man-flu' to achieve a personal ambition by landing a 'barney' barbel

Well, all in all I can best describe the last seven days as 'mixed' when blessings are counted. The first half of the week saw me achieve a personal ambition, in the shape of a 'barney' barbel from the Thames. (barney = barney rubble = double = a fish over 10lbs). In fact it was a proper one at exactly 11lbs and caught within an 8 minute walk from my front door - I know, sad as I am, I timed it!). Until a few years ago all my bigger fish were captured by accident, either on matches or when practicing for matches. As my time available for match fishing declined so I found myself able to snatch a few hours here and there and the though of setting up the scaffolding that passes for my seat box and using it for a couple of hours didn't excite me that much. So I bought a couple of 'big fish' rods, one for carp the other for barbel, and set about enjoying my leisure time waiting rather than casting. Most sessions are on my local tidal stretch of the Thames, so I have to be there when the tide is right and on the Teddington to Richmond section that means low tide. Because of the tidal barrier at Twickenham the river is maintained at 'navigable depth' for eight hours on each tide, with just two hours for the river to run up (flood tide) and two to run down (ebb tide). The eight hours in between have a stable level and a pretty constant flow - at least this ear when there has actually been some water to flow through the river. Selecting swims is always a problem as with the movement of water, fish move too. However, permanent moorings or areas of cover with a reasonable depth of water will provide a chance of carp and the occasional chub, whilst places where there is slightly more flow over a gravel bottom could well hold barbel at some time or another, as well as bream in HUGE numbers. My session on Tuesday was just the fifth of the season that, of course, began back on June 16th - that's how busy I seem to have been. It also produced my first bite of the season, so how's that for determination from a former 'fish-a-minute' merchant? Those sessions have only been for a maximum of three or four hours and it is such a pleasure to be by the river (boats, especially yachts and canoes excepted) that I consider it time well spent. But the bite when it came was unmistakeable and unmissable, the rod dragging round on the rest and rather that striking it was a rescue mission when I picked it up. I don't pussyfoot around when fishing deliberately for barbel: 8lb line and matching hooklink and a size 9 ESP Barbel hook and a 12'10" 'Barbel Specialist' quivertip rod. An SS3000ii reel with the drag set pretty tight complete the set-up. I landed the fish in question in under three minutes despite the first run taking 20 metres of line. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was 'the one' (I suppose wives are similar, even if barbel are much cheaper) and when I weighed it in the net it scaled round to 12lb. The net on its own weighed 1lb, so bingo, there was Bertie the Barney. If that sounds good, consider this: my pal John Gard is well known for catching serious carp from the Thames and as I arrived at the river on Tuesday he had just netter a mirror of 26lb 13oz. That's his ninth '20' in 6 sessions, none of which lasted more than 6 hours and all in broad daylight. The highlight was a 29.6 linear mirror caught almost directly under Richmond Bridge at 2.30 in the afternoon, with the suitably astonished bridge-crossers looking on. To be fair though, that was from a boat. All the others have been 'bank' fish. So, after a great start, the decline set in on Wednesday when my neck felt a bit stiff. By Thursday morning my throat was sore and by lunchtime I had a full-on streamer, so if I sound a bit funny and my nose has a slightly clown-like appearance on Friday, I'm sure you'll forgive me: this 'man-flu' is no fun. I hope to be over it by Sunday though as I am flying (for the second time in as many weeks) to Spain, only this time to 'work' (ahem). I'll be filming in Extremadura, that's the part of Spain on the western side, adjoining Portugal and 100 miles or so inland. The targets are carp and barbel, maybe even the legendary 'comizo' barbel that grows to in excess of 20kgs. Now a 'kilo-barney' WOULD be special! The weather forecast for the area is 'mid 20s C' and sunny, so that should help me over the worst of my illness. Haha. You'll be able to see the results, Lemsip permitting, in a couple of weeks. Now the leaves are falling it really is barbel time, so if you've got some living near you get out there after them Tight Lines

Now to your email...

Hi Keith, A friend told me that in a recent "Tight Lines" programme, amongst other things, you discussed a new type of disgorger, a tool I hate to use but sometimes its necessary. Could you give me the name/manufacturer of the disgorger. I live in Spain and so will have to send for one by post, so the suppliers name would be most useful. Thank you in anticipation.
Bob Robins Keith replies: Hello Bob, It's the 'Slamo' disgorger, available from Sensas. http://sensas-sa.com/produits/up_pdf/99.pdf They are a French company but I know their products are available in Spain as I bought some from a shop in Flix, on the Rio d'Ebre. If you want to save looking, then I know that KC Angling in Carshalton always have them in stock +44 (0)208 642 6222Hi Keith, I am into my carp fishing but I am looking to do a bit of Pike fishing. Is the same sort of gear ok for pike?
Chris from Liverpool. Keith replies: Hello Chris, The rods should be fine but some of the powerful versions can be a bit stiff for casting deadbaits, so it's a good idea to tie them to the hooks with PVA string as insurance. Baitrunner-type reels are also excellent, indeed the name grew from using them for livebaiting (bait-runner!). I prefer to use braid for pike fishing and some truly superb braids are now available. I have just acquired the latest offering from Berkley: "Whiplash Crystal". It may sound like a decent name for a star of an 'X' rated movie but as a fishing line it's exceptional. The diameter is the same as for 6lb nylon but it's 50lb breaking strain. That helps you rescue rigs from snags as it will bend most hooks out. The complete lack of stretch also helps set hooks beautifully. It may be worth investing in a spool of that. Hi Keith, Why does Gord use a multiplier instead of a fixed spool reel for lure fishing Can you also recommend some decent lure/spinners/plugs/spoons for use on canals? (Stainy and Keadby).
Mel Keith replies: Hi Mel, Multipliers are better when casting repeatedly and retrieving spinners as they don't cause any twist in the line, which can happen with fixed spool reels. It's a different technique needed for casting with them but modern multipliers are pretty-much foolproof. The Stainy is quite a big canal with a decent head of predators, including big perch and chub. If you are brave you can try some of the little jigs available with a variety of rubber tails. Alternatively, drive yourself barmy by looking through this catalogue: http://www.harrissportsmail.com/ Remember that predators will strike almost anything - one famous bass lure in the USA is a miniature Budweiser can with hooks attached - but the joy at tricking a fish into eating a bit of wood, plastic or metal - or rubber - with a couple of hooks attached is a bit special. And as Gordy said, it is difficult to use a lure that's too big!