The Big Fish Column by Ian Welch

Warm rain and lashings of it made for an excellent week on the rivers and barbel hunters found conditions perfect for the time of year right through to last weekend when the return of high pressure and dipping temperatures switched the fish off again.

During the purple period all the local rivers showed some form with big fish falling from the Kennet, Loddon, St Patrick’s Stream and the Thames. Indeed it was probably one of the best weeks for big barbel throughout the country this season with several very large fish reported.

Locally, an old friend to this column, Holyport’s Dave McManus, weighed in his best barbel of the season with a stunner of 14lb 12oz from the Kennet. Dave fished an afternoon and evening session on a Reading and District section of the river near Theale and, after droppering in a pint of hemp, settled down to present a paste bait over the top of it on a size 8 hook to a 10lb braided hook length and 10lb mono mainline.

After netting an early fish around the 8lb mark Dave struck into the big fish at dusk. After a couple of tense moments as the fish bored beneath a near bank snag he netted it at the first attempt following a five-minute fight.

Also scoring with a nice Kennet double was Marlow angler Pat Sweeney who fished at Lower Benyons with a pellet bait in conjunction with a PVA bag of small pellets to trap a good specimen of 12lb 4oz, a new best for Pat by over a pound.

Pat presented his 20mm bait on a size 6 hook to 10lb line with a running 2oz lead to hold bottom in a swim which was pushing hard as a result of the rain.

Whistley Mill on the Loddon has been in fine shape during the past week and with big chub and perch showing among the barbel it is a venue which should be on the hit list of local anglers.

Andy Jackson who fished a meat bait on a size 6 hook to 8lb line to weigh in a barbel of 11lb 4oz. Andy also netted two 4lb chub on similar tactics.

River pike fishing has also been excellent with the fish tucked away in the lock cuttings and slacks out of the main push of water.
As such they were easily targeted by the predator specialists such as Roger Douglas who fished the town stretch in Maidenhead with a sink and draw deadbait to take three jacks before his smelt was nailed by a much better fish below the lock.

Despite having to follow the fish downstream and then having to work it back upstream to get to his landing net Roger kept the fish under control and netted it after a tussle lasting the best part of 10 minutes.

The pike weighed in at 15lb 8oz, a great Thames fish, and was beaten with 12lb line and a 20lb wire trace fitted with a semi barbed size 8 treble and size 4 single hook.

Cooling weather is going to make for patchy sport over the next few days but don’t forget to check the Big Fish Column next week for a comprehensive look at where to get the best from Christmas and New Year sport.

* To report catches phone 07780 755138 or email ian@bigfishtrail.com