Baby Barbel

Robert Woods · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 21:11

I was fishing River Dane today for chub using maggots. I caught two 2" baby barbel...!!!

tigger · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Woods

I was fishing River Dane today for chub using maggots. I caught two 2" baby barbel...!!!

That's great but With respect...so what ?

dayglowfroggy · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 21:57

I find it interesting considering nobody ever says they catch small barbel it's a bit like small tench acording to a book I own they are not interested in anglers baits untill they reach a certain size . Who knows maybe they just have better eye sight at that size and can see hooks.

Paul C · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2010, 22:18

I'm guessing Robert is referring to the fact that this is another river where barbel have 'appeared' and are now taking hold or at least breading and spreading?

With the Dane, I think it's a shame. For me it's always a great chub river and somewhere I go specifically to target chub.

In my view many parts of it will be spoiled by barbel as it's such small river it will not only impact on the chub but it's not really a river where I'd want to hook a sizable barbel.

I too have started catching baby barbel from it, so it's only a matter of time.

It's a pity because it's a nice change and quieter. As barbel fishing has taken off, the Dane has been more lightly fished because it's not noted for them. If they start popping up all over it will mean the arrival of the circus!!

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 08:54

I am not too sure of the the circus arrival as it doesn't appear to maintain a huge population of doubles.

The well known barbel stretches on my club card (Bay Malton) actually seem less hammered with the acqusition of the downstream stretch a few years back. One or two known swims take a little bit of extra pressure..but having said that every time this season I've fished the stretch the known swims have been empty. And I still seem to have a catch ratio of roughly two chub for every barbel.

The capture of a small barbel is interesting...they are a rare event. Are you able to say roughly what area of the river?

The interesting development would be if the barbel started to spread upstream of Holmes Chapel weir -which is generaly regarded as the upper limit of the barbel population. The odd one is caught above HC weir but it seems a very rare occurance. I like fishing for chub in the stretches above HC..especially in the depth of winter...normally have any stretch to myself.

I have never caught any roach from the Dane..I know they were there in the past..anybody had any recently.

Last visit I had... about a month ago..a lad slipped in upstream of me and pulled out a hard fighting, beautifully market, pastie sized carp!!!!! Miles upstream from the Dane/Weaver junction!

Paul C · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 09:08

I was above the weir when I caught one and my mate had one on the same day, so they are spreading.....

peter crabtree · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 09:18

Could these barblets be part of the EA restocking programme? Down here they have put hundreds of them into the Colne . They are spreading into the GU canal and into other tributaries of the Colne where they never were before.

Poshpaul (Angling Trust and PaSC) · #8 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul C

I was above the weir when I caught one and my mate had one on the same day, so they are spreading.....

That is concerning..not that I am anti barbel etc but it could transform the character of the river. Barbel have been present in the lower reaches for years. HC weir was a clear demarkation point. It is a wonderful chub river - not to mention some gorgeous brownies and fine grayling (not that I've ever caught a "fine " grayling - a few small ones but not a "fine" one..yet). I just hope that Maurice the Minnow is ok.....can't have his secret location disturbed...must pop that claim in the post to Nellist!

Paul H · #9 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 10:01

I have had small, 2 - 3lb barbel on the Derbyshire Derwent on maggots before. Put up a hell of fight on light maggot feeder tackle (compared to small roach and bream).

They are a native species to the Trent and Derwent though.

Jeff Woodhouse · #10 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Woods

I was fishing River Dane today for chub using maggots. I caught two 2" baby barbel...!!!

That's fantastic. Shows there's good recruitment in the river.

Well done.

Roger Wyndham Barnes was telling me yesterday that's he'd caught 3 tiny barbel so far this year in the Thames - all good news.

by the by - and this fish -

Is the same one that Keith Arthur caught in the weir on opening day (11lbs 1oz) this year and also in a match he fished 12 years ago. They get around, don't they?