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Barbel Fishing - A Guided Experience

By Fred Bonney 20/10/2011 09:43:00

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Fred with his best barbel of the day

Fred Bonney gives his account of the guided day on the River Kennet referred to in Steve Pope’s recent October Diary.

Having only had one previous outing with a guide in my early barbel fishing days I took the opportunity at the Barbel Society’s Research and Conservation auction to buy a day out in the company of Steve Pope - oh what a difference!

My original guided day on the Kennet was a competition win on another website and I have to say as a novice, and with the benefit of hindsight, all I learned was a method of filling a feeder, but not a great deal more. I was left almost on my own all day to get on with it whilst the guide fished elsewhere, and with a mate.

At the time because I had caught my first double figure barbel the day before, and on a different river, I was elated. I knew no better, and wrote a piece for a few websites including FishingMagic.

So on to my recent guided day which, once again, was on the Kennet. I met Steve Pope at first light on a stretch of the river close to Thatcham, Berkshire after what was getting on for a four hour drive from home. The section of river was tree-lined, no more than 20 feet wide and had good flow, but was running clear.

Steve checked my rod was up to the requirements of holding a barbel at full stretch in the chosen swim, which indeed my Nash Barbel Specialist certainly was , and I made use of my Young’s Purist Mk ll centrepin.

Steve then showed me through his method of tackling up the business end. I used, and have for some time, 12lb Krystonite main line with a hooklength of 9lb Kryston Incognito fluorocarbon with a barbed size 10 ESP Raptor T6 hook.

Usually I make use of barbless hooks for my fishing but recently have been persuaded to change to barbed when fishing in particularly weedy swims. I can honestly say with barbless hooks the only fish I have lost is when the fish weed up and I release the pressure on them. Maintaining full pressure with barbless hooks only leads to losing a hook hold in my landing net!

Anyway the bait on this occasion was hempseed and casters as identified in Steve’s article. But, this is where the guiding comes in; Steve was at my side nearly all day, he didn’t fish at all.

He showed me the ideal spot to fish, and almost continuously dropper-fed the swim, at times even baiting my hair rig for me too! The result was a well-tutored new method of fishing for me, my first Kennet barbel, followed by 4 more with the biggest reaching 9lb 6oz.

All in all a very worthwhile experience and highly recommended whether you are experienced or a barbel fishing novice.

If you have not already done so you can read Steve Pope's River Diary, as referred to by Fred, HERE

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Comments (24 posted):

Judas Priest on 21/10/2011 18:10:02

Can the mods please explain as to why my post on this thread has been pulled. In no way did it contravine the sites rules or was liabelous in any way ? I find the way Fred seems intent on pursuing a personal vendetta on this site totally distasteful, and as was mentioned by the Mods on another thread only last week best kept off here and confined to PMs or e mails.

Bluenose on 21/10/2011 18:41:30

I pulled the post because I saw no mention of any names from Fred in his article nor any mention or hint of a vendetta. There is nothing in that article that is offensive in any way. I also pulled the post because in your 50 or so posts on this site, going back something like 3 years, 13 of your 50 posts have been a pop either directly or indirectly at Fred Bonney. So some could say it is you that has the vendetta! We're not having it on here. That's it. ---------- Post added at 19:26 ---------- Previous post was at 19:16 ---------- Can I also ask, if you have any further comments with regards to moderation of this thread please pm me. I would like to stress that further comments on this thread should be related to the article only and not related to any long standing 'handbags at dawn' barbel angler spat! ---------- Post added at 19:41 ---------- Previous post was at 19:26 ---------- The mod's don't have the means to moderate articles. Contact the editorial team for that.

Simon K on 21/10/2011 19:00:19

The article doesn't really tell us much more than Steve already wrote in his piece, which is a pity. Personally, I'd prefer not to have someone hanging over my shoulder all day long once they'd given their advice, as long as they're available to field questions and "tweak" anything needing "tweaking" to improve the chances of catching on the day, but hey, Fred and Steve are good mates so the company was mutually agreeable. If the barbel are so "tricky" they need to be fished for with hair-rigged castors, I'd be fishing for something else but........................ At least Fred caught, which is what it's all about. :)

Rich Frampton on 21/10/2011 20:08:43

Everything else is hair rigged these days so don't see a problem with casters...... I hair rig maggots!! I expect that's wrong to. :)

Simon K on 21/10/2011 20:45:36

It's not wrong Rich, just unnecessary for barbel in my opinion. I catch plenty on maggot when the going's "tough" and I never hair-rig them. Single maggot on a strong hook and a sliver of worm up the shank to camouflage the hook and make the hook-bait stand out. It was an observation, not a criticism. :)

Rich Frampton on 21/10/2011 20:56:43

No probs........ :)

Bluenose on 21/10/2011 21:04:42

I've got a Fred Crouch book somewhere. Maybe someone can help but I'm sure in it he states that he didn't care too much for the hair rig (for barbel) (or anything else I think). I use the hair rig for some species, so am not pointing the finger btw. It's hard side hooking boilies, and I don't like pellet bands.

Bob Hornegold on 21/10/2011 21:09:03

Bluenose, Another one time BS luminary said, he did not think Boilies would catch on for Barbel ? :) Bob

Steve Pope on 21/10/2011 21:14:30

Fred Crouch is one of my favourite people and you are quite right! However even he has been impressed at how hair rigging casters in particular really can be devastatingly effective at times. Should be seeing Fred next week so will get an update. On a lighter note I was chatting to him today and he's off to see Jethro tomorrow so I'm sure there will be lots of laughs next Thursday on the Kennet!

Bluenose on 21/10/2011 21:26:42

Understanding Barbel. Probably the best single species fishing book I've read that. It says Barbel on the cover but the principles could probably be applied to most species. You can tell him I said that, am sure he'll be made up, especially so when you explain I'm some crank off the internet with a history of mental illness, stalking and murder. Go on, just for a laugh!

Simon K on 21/10/2011 21:33:15

Interesting signature Eddie. Have you copyrighted it? :cool::) Personally I wouldn't hear a word against them. :wh

Steve Pope on 21/10/2011 21:39:49

I'll definitely pass on your message Eddie and get a response from Fred. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have Fred as a trusted friend, our friendship transcends fishing and it's fair to say I've learnt more from him than anyone in the fishing world. I agree with you about the book although Fred would be he first to admit he didn't forsee the pellet/boilie revolution but be still has his views on the state of our rivers and the barbel fishing of today. I'm sure his latest article in the next Barbel Fisher magazine will get people talking. As Simon says......................an interesting signature!

Bluenose on 21/10/2011 22:16:04

I'll change it back to the Toy Story 3 one tomorrow.

Fred Bonney on 22/10/2011 09:42:41

I've just received Fred's new article, it is certainly controversial and well reasoned and will certainly open up some interesting discussion. With Fred's permission and after it's read by the BS membership in Decemeber, I'll make it public.

Graham Elliott 3 on 24/10/2011 15:10:56

My Most Memorable Day by Fred Bonney My memorable session was a prize, won on this site for a day with Graham Elliott of Angling Experiences. We met up the night before and Graham wanted to show me the River Loddon, so I left my gear at the hotel and got in his motor. The swim Graham wanted to show me in particular, was already occupied, so we dropped back downstream. Graham showed me how he sets up his tackle and explained his method of fishing. He handed me his rod and I followed his advice, although he said I could fish any way I liked. After no more than an hour, the big tug came. I held on for dear life as the fish, began its journey to the bulrushes. After a short skirmish with the fish breaking the surface a couple of times, it was safely in the net, Graham, purposely I am sure, underestimated the weight. The scales zeroed, fish in the weigh sling, and the reading was 10lb 17ozs. The photos were taken, I was chuffed and my heart was pounding. A personal best for me and my first double Barbel. We sat for another hour fishing and then we decided to go to the pub to celebrate. One hour with the master, a double, and still the proper prize day on the Kennet to come. Fred Bonney Certainly a day with Steve Pope could be recommended. In fact as this is my last season guiding, I will be forwarding all my enquiries onto him. I know he will look after them well and it will be a good experience. Graham

Fred Bonney on 24/10/2011 20:41:12

Just to clarify as the title given in the post above is not an article title produced by me but a thread post elsewhere. So, this is the article written 7 years ago by me as a novice barbel angler. With the benefit of experience, and as I was not gifted with foresight at the time of writing it, I wrote the recent piece, the subject of this thread, as an update. [url=http://www.fishingmagic.com/features/diaries/12610-my-angling-experience.html]http://www.fishingmagic.com/features/diaries/12610-my-angling-experience.html

Simon K on 24/10/2011 21:48:32

Nothing wrong with that Fred. A "Red Letter Day" remains one whatever twists and turns your subsequent life brings. Let it stay that way in your memory for what it really was. Don't try and change it to something it wasn't, you'll only cheapen it for yourself. I have some wonderful fishing memories of time spent with my best mate (at the time) from many years ago. We fell out (and have barely spoken since), but I haven't allowed that to cloud the enjoyment I had nor the great memories. :)

Rich Frampton on 25/10/2011 05:32:52

Wise words Simon. Rich.

Fred Bonney on 25/10/2011 08:27:41

Nothing will change about my thoughts of the actual day Simon. As they say, we never stop learning and I've certainly learned a lot, particularly about first impressions since that original experience!

Graham Elliott 3 on 25/10/2011 10:54:22

Si. Don't worry I will still be prepared to offer some Free days Guiding like the one mentioned above to raise money for good causes and charities. Along with many past BFW Fish In. Like very many before for the Barbel Society causes and the odd one like Claudia Crowthers on Fishing Magic. Most are appreciated. Last comment, and such a shame. Graham ---------- Post added at 03:54 ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 ---------- Si. Don't worry I will still be prepared to offer some Free days Guiding like the one mentioned above to raise money for good causes and charities. Along with many past BFW Fish In. Like very many before for the Barbel Society causes and the odd one like Claudia Crowthers on Fishing Magic. Most are appreciated. Last comment, and such a shame that a simple article was used for another purpose...again.. Graham

Bluenose on 25/10/2011 19:47:05

Graham and Fred are both grown ups, we decided pretty much to let them get on with it. However we have decided that the trolls, i.e. those that only come out of the woodwork to post a stab at one or other will be binned.

Simon K on 25/10/2011 20:29:16

Graham, I hope the future will see decent anglers carry on the guiding tradition. There are plenty of people out there who can benefit from the experience a day spent with the likes of yourself or Steve can bring. It's often the simple things explained well that lead to better things. Too many people I'm sure, have the passion to fish, but not the time and perhaps not the friends with the ability to really help them where they need it. I've been very lucky with those I've met on the bank-side and also joining a Specimen Group early on in my angling years and have got my "guiding" from many great thinking anglers. Not all, by any means, are "Names" though their abilities would merit it. There are some aspects of angling that only a "hands on" teaching experience can really get across. Long may it continue.

Graham Elliott 3 on 25/10/2011 23:44:53

Eddie. it was never my intention to have a "stab" at anyone else. Just a case of defending overt, unwarranted comments. But in all fairness all need to be aware of uncalled for character attacks and the instigators that continue to hide behind apparent favourtism. Honest, Open mindeness is needed however - alllowing the first few bits of this article was uncalled for and derogatory. As Judas said...And you know it. I will try and add value to FM forums but expect non bias editing in the future. ---------- Post added at 16:44 ---------- Previous post was at 16:41 ---------- Si. As you know - no more guiding for me. But it does help many people to improve their fishing and also...more importantly think about their angling. you said "Too many people I'm sure, have the passion to fish, but not the time and perhaps not the friends with the ability to really help them where they need it." This is so very true. Take care Graham

Bluenose on 26/10/2011 14:26:31

Eddie. it was never my intention to have a "stab" at anyone else. Just a case of defending overt, unwarranted comments. I never suggested you were the one having a stab Graham. You never started this particular thread. But in all fairness all need to be aware of uncalled for character attacks and the instigators that continue to hide behind apparent favourtism. You may have a point there Graham. We mods have probably let a bit more go from all parties recently and not just from the barbel bitching brigade either, we've probably been a little more relaxed in all posts including political and religious topics. Criticisms were made not too long ago about heavy handed modding and if my memory serves correct we had a 'less (modding) is more' directive (for want of a better word) from the boss. So when a certain protagonists initial posts on this site are a dig at an individual, 3, (yes three) years ago. Then here we are again, he re-appears this last week to do what? Have a dig at the same member. I should have just binned his posts and the thread but I let it stand. My mistake. Lesson learned on my behalf. Anything 'troll like' in future is gone though, no discussion. I'd be interested to hear more about the apparent favouritism though, publicly or via pm. I have nothing to hide and try to call it evenly although like anyone, I'm capable of honest mistakes and despite what one person suggested, I haven't received any calls from those with vested financial interests, other than the owner (who does have a vested financial interest) and that was probably 12 months ago on an unrelated matter. Honest, Open mindeness is needed however - alllowing the first few bits of this article was uncalled for and derogatory. As Judas said...And you know it. I will try and add value to FM forums but expect non bias editing in the future. I am glad to see you posting on this forum, your years of experience will be of benefit to many I am sure. However with regards to said article, as has been mentioned elsewhere, mods have no say on editorial content whatsoever. That's nil, nada, ziltch. The paid editors do the editing. We mods as volunteers are lower down the food chain. The editorial team is not the problem here though Graham, nor is it the mods or any one individual. The common denominator is a finite group of individuals, from all sides, associated with this particular branch of the sport who will not let long standing spats drop or sort them out face to face or via personal mail. Instead of moving on with their lives and enjoying fishing and the site for what it is, they seek to bring their personal agenda's to these and other boards as they have done for many years. Cheers EC ---------- Post added at 15:26 ---------- Previous post was at 13:33 ---------- After another complaint I am locking the thread. We can't be moderating these spats 24/7 lads. Can you open up either some line of dialogue via pm, phone or email or simply take the argument elsewhere.

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