Barbel Tips

I'm going to fish the river Kennett tomorrow, can anyone tell me how the river is fishing and any useful methods I could try?

I fished the Mill at Aldermaston last thursday (5th October). I only managed a snall dace but a guy two swims down (on the lawns) has an 11lb 2oz barbel on half a meatball. I spoke to one chap when I arrived who was fishing on the wier and he had caught one barbel and lost another.