Fishing

Having taken the granddaughter of doom fishing last year (small Rudd only to make sure she caught something), this time she demanded big fish! Her first bream, 7lbs.

She decided that the low double common she hooked was pulling too hard, so I was allowed to land it.

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Look at the shoulders on that bream, that's probably better than my PB!

I'll be spending a few days next month very close to the River Wye (Rhayader) in Wales and would love to try and catch an autumnal barbel. If anyone has any experience of where to fish I'm all ears. Trying to avoid a situation where I'm spending half the day finding access. Also happy to spend a few quid on a day ticket it that means I'm not fishing illegally and have more chance of catching.

I think a large part of the Wye is fishable on the wye angling passport. They should give detailed info on each beat, including what species is likely to be there. Normally very fairly priced and gives you a huge variety of river to suit your fancy/conditions

Great info, thanks for this. Will investigate.

https://www.fishingpassport.co.uk/fishing/wye

Brilliant thank you, been looking at the map on the site and seems very informative. Just realised this is fly fishing territory so may have to rethink my approach.

I tend to just fish what’s in front of me, coarse or game, however I’m pretty sure all the lower river is prime barbel territory if that’s what you’re after? My mate certainly has caught his biggest barbel ever from there

I'm all booked in for at least one day on a barbel section next month, have a feeling it might be more though... Thanks for the help, the fishing passport site is really useful and never knew such a resource existed.

https://twitter.com/davehill77/status/1576316577414148096

Yep so blanked on the river Wye last week, which isn't annoying at all considering we drove for 4 hours. Glad I bought the binos though as a lot of kingfisher action. Just means I'll have to go back.

Must be getting old... can anyone recommend a decent but not too expensive centre pin reel? Happy to buy second hand too if that helps. Will be using it for general float/river duties and the occasional barbel.

Congratulations on your blank (yet in a beautiful place) we all have those.

There are 3 TF Gear centrepins on fleabay at the moment at low prices, I have no reason to recommend them, but they look OK and at that price who cares? Otherwise, you are looking at a bare minimum of £50 for anything half decent secondhand. If you get a TF one and it's good, let me know and I'll buy one!

In other news, the syndicate big pit continues to be kind. Top secret rig (two 8mm pellets on a hair), this works because nobody else will do it, but they all spod out pellets.

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Beautiful! Mid to upper twenties? When am I fishing your syndicate with you?!

Thanks a lot for this, I'll take a look and report back if I snap one up. The top secret rig, or as I call it 'the greedy-pig-ring' is my standard river set-up with a cage feeder.

I'll correct @EB, when are we fishing the syndicate? As always I'm equally jealous and happy for you.

Forum fish off is onnnnnn!

Both of you would be welcome on the syndicate, I know I can wangle access as the owner is a friend! It would need to be May onwards next year as bugger all comes out in winter, even the roach can't be found (it is nearly a mile long).

@jambon, I really would risk one of those reels, the worst that can happen is you've wasted £30ish, it would still be usable fun on a stillwater. I use a knackered ancient pin with a MKIV Avon from 1956 a few times a year and have landed carp to upper doubles on it.

Ps: mid not upper.

I'd definitely be up for arranging something!

I've got all 4 on my eBay watch list so should get at least one. Quite like the idea of encountering a double figure barbel on a centre pin :0 . @EB I was half joking, but if this ever materialised sign me up.

I'd definitely be up for it! I'm up in Scotland but would drive down and see my Brother also, two birds one stone etc.

Well, you couldn't go much further south, 200 yards from the lake and you'll be swimming in the sea off Sussex!

The offer stands, I'm already feeling the pressure of making sure everyone catches....

Could tie it into a visit to *emmeff in Poole in that case!

Moved house 5 days ago and this is the view from the back window....

It's also within 3 miles of the syndicate lake!

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So, what lurks at the bottom of the valley?

The (not very) mighty River Tillingham! It's not very wide, only about 12', but holds chub, roach, dace, wild brownies and an occasional run of sea trout. The good news is that the landowner is ok with me fishing it and so are the guys who farm the land, Merry Christmas to me!

@jambon, did you get the centrepin and does it run smoothly if you did? I ask because this will be centrepin territory.

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That's a result, gives you faith in humanity when people are open minded and helpful.

Despite my confidence, I had no luck with any of the reels. The cheapest from memory went for around £50 so will wait a little longer. Thanks again for the info.

Ninja edit: cracking view, hope all went okay with the move.

Public service announcement: Mortimer & Whitehouse Gone Fishing Xmas special is on BBC2 tonight at 20:40.

A while back a friend of mine took me fly fishing for the first time and subsequently sold me a couple of reels and a rod. I used to do a bit of coarse fishing as a kid with floats, spinners and ledgers but fly fishing appears to be a dark art. Can anyone recommend a book or YouTube channel to get me started please?