Feedback & Reports

The gauge said nothing. Zero on the website, flat as you like, the sort of reading that keeps sensible anglers at home. But down at the bottom of the Foy’s Bridge stretch the stone vein run was carrying a good foot over it, pushing and folding in a way that promised something. Twenty-two degrees on the thermometer. Warm as bathwater and twice as lazy.

An evening session, then, with boilies on one rod and the method feeder on the other - groundbait, hemp, pellet and sweetcorn packed tight and dropped onto the crease. The chub came first and kept coming: ten of them in all, the best a broad-shouldered five-pounder that fought like something twice the weight. Then the tip wrapped round properly and the first barbel went 7lb 8oz. Later, in the last of the light, a second - 10lb 2oz of pure river muscle that took line off me twice before it turned.

A serious note on the warm water. At 22°C those barbel took a very long time to recover - far longer than they should. Both needed extended holding in the flow before they had the strength to swim off on their own.

2 Barbel, 10 Chub

1 angler, early morning session, barbel @ 8lb chub 3-5lb

1 Barbel, 4 Chub

Fished the road sides very last swim as this seems to be the deepest section at present. I fished late evenings as the daytime temperatures are to much but currently water temperature is 23°.
I was able to pre-bait which helped although I only had two Chub of approximately 2lb-3lb.

2 Chub

Fished late evening in the very last swim on the road side. Conditions were difficult with water levels being low. I baited up in the morning then again when I arrived but didn't fish for an hour. Had a nice Barbel within half an hour of my first cast then two chub then a Barbel to end the session. Fished approx 3 hrs.
Fished were not weighed but I'd guess the Barbel were aroun 3lb-5lb with Chub slightly less.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

Fished the road sides last swim as water levels are low.
Baited up with hemp, pellets, corn and spam in pre-soaked balls of groudbait.
Fished Spam on the hook for around 3hrs which produced 2 Barbel and 2 Chub.

2 Barbel, 2 Chub

26 Chub

1 Barbel, 29 Chub

Water temp 23.4 at 0800. The swim most likely had already been taken so settled in below the bridge. Very low with a slightly deeper channel halfway across. Had 4 chub fishing a half ounce bomb and double 8mm over loose fed pellet. Packed at 1400 as temp approached 25.

4 Chub

Hotter, river very low, fished till dinner.

4 Chub

3 Barbel, 17 Chub