It was a textbook day for an encounter with Barbel, and as I arrived at lunch to give it a go till dark hopes were high!! The water temp and level had been rising, a good sign. After finding a clear river bed in the swim, it only took 10 minutes for a lively fish to find my smelly offering. Lots of leaves made for a big hinderance, but when I could keep the bait in long enough, the bites came and a lovely cold afternoon catching was the reward.
The fish were from 5lb to 8lb and all fit and healthy too!!