That word frustration summed up my season start. Typically, due to a very cold spring the barbel spawned very late and fishing was extremely difficult....and to be honest not very enjoyable. I found myself moving from the Loddon, onto St Pats, then the Kennet, and struggled on all. After a few weeks the Kennet barbel returned to their usual summer haunts and slowly started feeding. Plenty of smaller fish between 4 to 6lb were evident, which provided some good sport during hours of darkness, and was also very encouraging for the future of the river. However, I had decided that the draw of the beautiful river Loddon was too much to resist and that's where I wanted to spend the remaining summer months into autumn.
Two big barbel were in my thoughts. One of which I'd caught a couple of seasons earlier weighing 15.07 and 14.4 and was curious of her whereabouts. The other was another 15lber I'd never seen, but knew of her presence through a good friend, who had the pleasure of her capture on more than one occasion. Jammy git!!
Having fished the Loddon for quite sometime and knowing this stretch was important if I was to be successful. I know how hard it is here, and experienced more blanks than I would care to mention. Many have fished, expected much, struggled and then soon moved to alleviate the boredom.
I had to make the effort to fish a minimum of three evenings a week till midnight at the earliest. My trusted approach which has rewarded me over the seasons past was to select two swims and stick with them. This would ensure my bait would eventually be found, and that the fish would come to expect some free meals when passing through if they were not already in residence. There was no need for pre-baiting if I was on the river every other evening, and to be honest I had little time or desire to do it.
After a couple of low doubles and high singles during the previous couple of weeks an old friend made a mistake one warm August evening. Here she is in all her glory not quite making the 15lb yet, but very close.
One down, one to go and this barbel I desired more than any other. This meant a move a little further away, and a week or so of fishing but not catching. The Kennet very often tempts me away for an evening or two when my stubbornness starts waning and so it did this time too. Great to see that rod bend when the Loddon plays hard to get.
Back on the Loddon and with two new swims that had seen my presence and bait for a couple weeks I could feel it was only a matter of time...or so I hoped.
From recollection it was a September midweek session. Low pressure and drizzle greeted me that evening. The river was up a few inches from the recent rain fall. Two rods were quickly assembled, hooks baited and bait delivered to my spots with no fuss. Then the waiting began as darkness approached. With the light faded, my downstream rod slowly arched in that all too familiar way and an explosive battle ensued...hold on!!! :) Those battles don't last more than a minute or two despite what you read, but certainly get the heart rate up. With the barbel safely in the net resting I could see upon closer inspection she was the one. A quick call confirmed it. What a splendid looking fish and one of my favourite captures and self-takes.
Tight lines.....zander and chub next.
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