Last cast..........first barbel!

I decided to have one more cast, i think i counted 10 last casts though!

I cast it where i had been fishing but the only difference was the shape of meat i put on, 4 thin pieces ramdomly hooked.

The tip tapped (like a chub) and then i hit a stronger tap. The rod thumped round and the fish was on. It went and stopped, i thought it was a chub so i proceeded to bring it closer to me and away from snags on my RHS.

When i got it into open water, i relised it was no chub. It didnt come to the surface and was happy to stay on the bottom. From this i thought it was a bream, then first siteing said it was a carp. Once it was ready for netting i was very happy to see it was a barbel!

I carefully unhooked it and weighed it. On a dodgy set of scales it read between 6lb 4oz and 6lb 8oz. (If it was 4lb i would have been happy!)

I then had a task i was looking forward to all summer, nursing it back to the water. Having read the books on returning barbel i was happy to see it swim off after a few seconds.

i now know the value of good strong tackle, patience and respect for a lovely fish. Also i had better buy a decent camera as my mobile phone didnt do my first barbel any justice!

Thanks for reading, and thanks for all the good advice i have read on this website.

Many thanks.

Congratulations.

You can now join the rest of us unwashed, gawping, drooling, bog-eyed fanatics and get back out there quick as possible for your next.

Barbeltastic or what?

Well done Porse and many more to come!

Woo Hoo!

Great feeling isn't it? the first fish of any species is a memory you'll always remember.

Good work mate...

Nice one Porse, like they say, go catch another!