Barry, I've tried both approaches, maggot feeder in lower, clearer water conditions, and meat, either over hemp or on its own, in this years more normal conditions of high and coloured water !!
My nephew and I have seen barbel (well, just one, actually) on one of the stretches, but getting into a position to actually be able to fish for it is near-impossible.
Imagine . . .
You are at the top of the river-bank, 15feet above water level - the fish is at the tail of a gravel run, which is heavily streamer-weeded. Just above the bed of streamer beneath which the fish is lying is a fallen tree, lying in the river. This tree does not reach either bank, but is deeply embedded. And the only area which allows access to river level is about 30 yards above this tree. Just below the fish's lie is a deep pool on a sharp left-hand bend, which acts as a natural magnet for all the fallen timber which is washed down-river in floods - it is the most horrendous series of snags I have ever seen.
So - I can't fish down to the fish because of the tree. I will not drop a bait down to it from the top of the bank - I see no point in putting a bait to a fish which it is not possible to be able to net. And I dare not fish upstream from the snags - the fish would be among them in a flash.
So, the only option I can see is to actually get into the water and remove the fallen tree - then there may be a slight chance to also be able to improve bankside access enough to allow me to fish down to the fish - that is, if it is still there after the `improvements`.
If it all works out, then it would definitely be worthwhile - the fish is a good one - I just need to gather the `bottle` to go and do it !!
Jonty