Hmmmmmmm......the Blackwater is fast becoming a drain on my brain, god it's been a slog and not sure when its going to offer up that big chest of treasure, hours of moving, feeding (little bits here "n" there and putting a decent bit in when I know I'm coming back within a couple of days) and nothing seems to be working. I know the odd Barbel is still coming off the river but its so infrequent.
Sunday lunchtime I got back down for another go and did my usual of moving around, 45mins in each spot with just a small PVA bag of six boilies each time, any touches I stay put, unfortunately I am not even getting that, six swims later and 35mins in whilst doing an update on my season so far on the challenge my rod FINALLY zipped off, on it in a flash I was bent into what was certainly a Barbel and it felt great, not a monster but great to have a fish on the other end.
A few minutes later a lovely dark BW Barbel was in the net. 7lb exactly on the scales it was a sight for sore eyes, unsurprisingly it was the only bite but my first Barbel off this particular stretch, boy its been hard and on Tuesday I went back down again in less than ideal conditions but still opted to try, but nothing.
I will of course, like night follows day, I'll be back for another twenty four attempts.....
Well done, nobody can doubt your determination. Next bit could be the biggie, maybe to first of '26.
ReplyDeleteI just need to keep going, simple as that, the rewards are there for me, I just need to find one.
DeleteAt least you know it will only take another 24 attempts! 🤣 You are doing great, keep it going matey.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm...... I sure as hell hope it won't take that long, 15 trips this season for 1 Barbel is tough going, even the areas that did a few are doing hardly any now, Otters on a small intimate river was always going to be a recipe for disaster, I just hoped the decline wasn't going to be as sharp, but the odd will still be around, I need to find it.
DeleteThat's hard work, will be worth in the end
ReplyDelete