Challenge of barbell fishing

[andy76]

Iv been at this for 18months now, and fairly confident iv got it sussed
I always thought the challenge was catching barbell , but in reality they are fairly easy to catch in fact I cant think of a barbell take iv missed ,if lost a few in shock in early tries through not realising the power they have and being totally under gunned

The challenge and magic is finding them , picking the right times , reading the river ,and getting your swim set up right , it's this I find so rewarding , I dont think iv ever been so happy in my fishing years , the countryside, the wild life , the rivers , and just being out is enough , my mental health which hasnt been great over recent years has improved no end

And nothing beats seeing that bronze ,silver flash and huge dorsal fin come up in the river as you do battle with wild power of a good barbel .

Just wanna,saythanks to people on here tou all have helped me with advice take up the greatest fishing pursuit I think its possible to have in this country
Tight lines all

[Deleted]

There's one thing that's always stayed with me throughout my angling life,the childlike enthusiasm that you've got for barbel fishing,Andy.
You're right it does have a positive effect on mental health especially when something's not quite right at work or maybe a personal matter,thinking of going fishing will always improve a bad mood.
My summer stillwater fishing is coming to an end now and I can't wait to dust the chub gear off and am sorry to say I'm looking forward to the nights drawing in so I can start the trips to the Swale in the dark.
More to fishing than catching,keep it up mate  .

[andy76]

Cheers Graeme it's a great pursuit that I never understand why people dont get it , but in a way I'm kind of glad they dont cause I like just me and couple of good m8ts I have to share the fishing to have the banks to ourselves

[dunsmuir]

Couldn't agree more with both of these posts! When you stop feeling the childlike enthusiasm, that's the time to pack in. To me that feeling really does mean you're in contact with a part of yourself which I can't help but feel some people have lost. Lucky us!!

[Mick]

I agree with everyone, I've really struggled to get out on the bank so far this season and have probably missed the best windows of opportunities so far,think in total I've been out 5 times, same time last year I had lost count of how many times I'd been on the bank, it is starting to depress me, to the point I'm not even watching YouTube vids as all they do is remind me what I'm missing lol, certainly gonna have to try harder to get some me time 👍👍😉

[tom]

When I’m away at work, I always look forward to getting back out on the river bank. It’s my therapy, a way of purging all the worries of work and getting back to reality and what really matters. My wife always insists that once I’m home I go fishing ASAP otherwise she reckons, and is probably dead right, that I’m a pain in the ass... sadly, yet again, my wife is right again...

Because of conditions, this time home home, I’ve only fished once for chub, perch etc. and for only a couple of hours and on a rising river. Bri managed the only fish of the session, a pike around 6lb taken on a Big S on a rising river in fast water, it was his last cast too!

I now have another month before I can try again, hopefully the rivers will be bang on and I won’t be such a pain!

[andy76]

I havent been able to get out for week now and I can actually feel my mood dropping I'm hopefully out tomorrow but weather dosnt look great , I hate fishing under a brolly but I want to go out even in bad weather other than staying in , wont affect the barbel biting I hope

[Mick]

Oct 25, 2019 20:56:55 GMT kev g 1953 said:

Just getting into fishing for both Barbel and Chub on the Tees and Swale.

Im now a life member of my local club and having retired last year its great to get on both rivers.
The Tees is a fantastic river and right on my door step. Just found and joined this forum, fantastic reading all the comments etc. Once I can find my way around it.

Regards
Kevin

Welcome along Kevin, the Tees is a fantastic river as you say with every aspect of fishing and species available to target within a few miles of each other, shes also a cruel mistress as well lol, especially if your out searching for those barbel, look forward to hearing how you get on in the coming seasons 😉👍👍

[robinfoxile]

Nice one Kevin, good for you. I have been neglecting the Tees for the Swale recently - but will be chubbing and piking on both for the rest of the season...

[jacques]

I just couldn't agree more with your sentiments Andy.
Back in my working days spending two weeks in a large metal box in the North sea. Coming home and heading out to the river bank with my terrier was just pure relaxation.
Catching was an important element and to be truthful ok l spent a lot of time not catching Tees barble but l certainly did manage to catch a reasonable number over the years.
I used to hear tales of lve been broken. I've lost several and so on.
l had about 10 swims from Sockburn to Worsall that l would fish depending on water conditions,time of day etc.
90% of the time 1.5tc rod and 10lb line. Sometimes in low water 8lb. Very high 2.25tc rod and 12lb.
Broken once due to not checking a hook length used previously
You don't miss them,bang rods gone round they are hooked.
First run you eventually slow them down. Bring them back, second run not so far. Then they are under the rod and in the net.
No 10 minutes playing them. Think my couple if 12's were landed within 5 minutes on 10 lbs line.
A lot of what l caught were ready to swim away as soon as unhooked.
All l can say is good hunting and l hope the magic lasts well into the future.