Advice please re Bristal Avon @ Claverton

[fullcreel]

I've just started to fish for barbel, and have joined Bathampton, I have had one session there, fishing on the 'island', no fish or even bites, and ebveryone I speak to is giving different advice. So I wondering of anyone can give any advice.
I wa using a John Wilson Barbel rod, 10lb mainline, as the river was quite clear, and brigt sun, i use a camo braid, 12lb,I tried various baits, from home made chilli saussies, to halibut pellets, boilies, corn and meat. I had attention form small fish.
Some peopel say rove, no more than 20 mins in one spot,others say bait up and wait. So any advice would be gratefully recieved.

[BoldBear]

When the river is clear and I can see the bottom I prefer to rove. I sometimes creep up with my polaroids and look for fish, sometimes it looks like there are no Barbel there at first but after a while you can sometimes makeout the shapes of the barbels fins and then their shapes. keeping low I gently throw a some baits into the head of the swim and wait to see the Barbels response; don't be in a rush to cast and give them a chance to gain confidence and if they are feeding I then introduce my bait and let it trundle slowly towards them using the smallest amount of lead that I can get away with. If the Barbel are not having the loose fed baits then I move to another swim and try again. Sometimes the Barbel will shy away from a bait in one swim but take the same bait in another swim, I think it may be because they are conditioned to being caught in particular swims so are more cautious when in them, however I usually take two different baits.
I have often witnessed Barbel acting very nervously when a Feeder enters the swim even if it is very slowly dragged into the swim, so I don't usually like using feeders in clear water.

The Barbel in my river have not yet moved into their summer haunts after spawning and this could be the reason why it's so slow in places where you are.

Good luck and tight lines.

[barbelblanker]

If Bacons tackle box down near the Avon , may be Bristol road (Bath) is still run by Steve Bacon then ask him. When I lived in Bath it was a mine of information.

[fullcreel]

I have a few days left on my Bathampton ticket, it runs out on 31st of this month, I don't think I'm going to rejoin. I've lost too many bit of tackle,each session was costing about £5. Leads and hook lengths. I am seriously thinking about joining tha Amalgamated Fisheries, which have stretches upstream, which are a bit more to my liking. I prefer the smaller streams. And they are closer to home.
Maybe I get my barbel from there, or maybe I'll give myself a trip to the Hants Avon, or the Nadder. Who knows.

[Lman]

I'm sure you will get your barbel from the bristol avon they are there I have caught one or two at Limpley stoke some of which i have caught whalst float fishing.
The amalgamated ticket also has some good areas upstream Lacock is one

[Greenheart]

Plenty of Barbel at Limpley Stoke, although you need to get there early to get the best pegs. The Guys at Wests Tackle in Trowbridge are well clued up on fishing the Avon & are usually happy to give advice...

[Lman]

one of the best areas is downstream of Limpley stoke across the fields from Monkton combe school but as Ian said can get busy. Also some good quality roach through Limpley stoke plus plenty of chub and pike

[jamie g]

late afternoon is a good time mate. bait the swim in the morning then go in the afternoon.

[barbusjon]

Originally Posted by fullcreel

I have a few days left on my Bathampton ticket, it runs out on 31st of this month, I don't think I'm going to rejoin. I've lost too many bit of tackle,each session was costing about £5. Leads and hook lengths. I am seriously thinking about joining tha Amalgamated Fisheries, which have stretches upstream, which are a bit more to my liking. I prefer the smaller streams. And they are closer to home.
Maybe I get my barbel from there, or maybe I'll give myself a trip to the Hants Avon, or the Nadder. Who knows.

Claverton is good, but id advise my usual haunts...Chippenham free stretch (Underarted), Free stretch Bradford-on-avon Ive caught barbel up to 13lb and lost some absolute monsters...(Lost one at the net which made me nearly wet my pants) also i've had a 17lb common carp there too. Lackock is good but hammred, Avoncliff and Freshford are also good,..its worth roaming one day with/without a rod and get an idea..

Tight Lines

Jon