Barbel daze

It is after mid-night, and I have just got back from my latest session on the R. Stour. Benno and I sticking to our plan of fishing the river for barbel until November - when our attention will turn to Esox lucius, the Northern Pike!

My outing involved a bit of gardening, as my preferred swim was taken and I was forced to look elsewhere. With a little effort, and wet socks, I was able to create a swim which looked very promising, some 600m downstream from where I'd had my previous successes. The walkie talkies were in constant use as Benno and I talked tactics and tackle as the light levels fell away.
At around 22.30hrs my Optonic screamed into life, the Matt Hayes centre-pin spinning madly, as an unseen fish bolted away with my bait. It was an epic battle, Benno kept informed by frequent garbled messages on the walkie talkie, which resulted in my landing a barbel of 13lbs 5oz. What a fish!
I got very wet, as I needed to get into the river to net my prize, but it was worth the discomfort - yet another new PB.

 

Benno came down to witness the ritual weighing and press the shutter release on my camera - memories are made of these things. I tried to phone my brother Simon - no joy! Bev was contacted and given the glad tidings - completely beyond her comprehension! Benno rang Bunny; who was suitably impressed. What a fish, what a moment, what a memory - it's all a daze at present.