In reply to Post #150
The second barbel looked very gassed, being belly up as it's landed in the net doesn't look normal...
The second barbel looked very gassed, being belly up as it's landed in the net doesn't look normal...
In reply to Post #151
It does happen occasionally, even on strong tackle and in oxygenated water. That's why it's so important to rest them properly before taking them out of the water and stressing them further. And then resting them again at the end to make sure they are properly recovered and ready to go. Always head facing in to the flow. Sometimes that involves lying in some pretty uncomfortable positions depending on what the bank is like. The films or adverts normally make it look like the fish is played, unhooked, photoed and returned in once sequence although I'd like to think that is not what is going on in reality.
A barbel can look like its gone back strongly only to then get stuck in a bit of weed (often out of sight), belly up or half belly up and then drown from the flow coming in to the back of the gills. The trend of taking a stereotypical carp fishing approach and photographing every barbel is not helpful, they are not as hardy as carp and really need to be kept out of the water for the minimum time possible.
A bit of a sermon but if it saves a barbel somewhere down the line it was worth it.
It does happen occasionally, even on strong tackle and in oxygenated water. That's why it's so important to rest them properly before taking them out of the water and stressing them further. And then resting them again at the end to make sure they are properly recovered and ready to go. Always head facing in to the flow. Sometimes that involves lying in some pretty uncomfortable positions depending on what the bank is like. The films or adverts normally make it look like the fish is played, unhooked, photoed and returned in once sequence although I'd like to think that is not what is going on in reality.
A barbel can look like its gone back strongly only to then get stuck in a bit of weed (often out of sight), belly up or half belly up and then drown from the flow coming in to the back of the gills. The trend of taking a stereotypical carp fishing approach and photographing every barbel is not helpful, they are not as hardy as carp and really need to be kept out of the water for the minimum time possible.
A bit of a sermon but if it saves a barbel somewhere down the line it was worth it.
In reply to Post #152
I know you are just stating the obvious for the benefit of all the readers and you are very right in everything you say.
I have done a fair bit of barbel fishing so I know the ins and outs of it myself
I know you are just stating the obvious for the benefit of all the readers and you are very right in everything you say.
I have done a fair bit of barbel fishing so I know the ins and outs of it myself
In reply to Post #153
Yeah, wasn't directed specifically at you
There's been some dead ones floating down the Wye this summer from poor handling and I like to think it's from ignorance as opposed to lack of care.
Yeah, wasn't directed specifically at you
There's been some dead ones floating down the Wye this summer from poor handling and I like to think it's from ignorance as opposed to lack of care.
In reply to Post #141
excellent 👏🏻👏🏻
excellent 👏🏻👏🏻
In reply to Post #155
He's got to be finished after this - obviously a little jealousy for a bloke who was born into the John Wilson legacy and it was handed to him on a plate... He messed up and that chance has gone. I don't feel bad, this is obviously a common occurrence and just one video got leaked. I seriously hope he hasn't made enough money to retire and just go fishing, and that he has to get a job like the rest of us.
He's got to be finished after this - obviously a little jealousy for a bloke who was born into the John Wilson legacy and it was handed to him on a plate... He messed up and that chance has gone. I don't feel bad, this is obviously a common occurrence and just one video got leaked. I seriously hope he hasn't made enough money to retire and just go fishing, and that he has to get a job like the rest of us.
In reply to Post #156
Do you really think that they pay enough per column at Angling Times to retire in your 50s?
Do you really think that they pay enough per column at Angling Times to retire in your 50s?
In reply to Post #157
No, but his fishery in Thailand might
No, but his fishery in Thailand might
In reply to Post #158
Do you mean Jurassic Island? Martin Bowler does not own it.
Do you mean Jurassic Island? Martin Bowler does not own it.
I think he owns a bungalow on the complex which he rents out.
Might be wrong
Might be wrong