River Stour (the Midlands one).

[barbelblanker]

The name is spot on. Member of BAA so have miles and miles of the Severn, Teme , Avon and Stour to not catch on . Only had two this year and learnt another 100 ways to fail to catch barbel. Narrowing it down see.

[Poisson dans la Fleuve]

Originally Posted by barbelblanker

The name is spot on. Member of BAA so have miles and miles of the Severn, Teme , Avon and Stour to not catch on . Only had two this year and learnt another 100 ways to fail to catch barbel. Narrowing it down see.

Ahhh right, I was a member last year but only used it twice so will probably just do day ticket this year, I have only caught one but luckily for me it was at the first attempt, a 6 pounder, I went to Stanford Bridge, I have to say, they have some really nice and BIG Chubb there also.

[barbelblanker]

Interesting on the chub front as that's what I am after on saturday. probably going to hampton loade and (if it isn't too busy) make my way from the car park right up in to the woods at the top. A few things I want to try. I'm just debating if it's better to take one rod and stay mobile or take two and cover more ground but be a little less mobile . Can't make my mind up.

[Poisson dans la Fleuve]

Originally Posted by barbelblanker

Interesting on the chub front as that's what I am after on saturday. probably going to hampton loade and (if it isn't too busy) make my way from the car park right up in to the woods at the top. A few things I want to try. I'm just debating if it's better to take one rod and stay mobile or take two and cover more ground but be a little less mobile . Can't make my mind up.

Why not give Stanford bridge a try? It will be quieter and to be honest, you have as much of a chance of bagging something decent as you will have at HL.... last time I went there it was a scramble just to get a half decent peg there were so many there. I have never caught a Chubb smaller than 3lbs at SB...... thats down to luck more than skill I assure you though!

[Poisson dans la Fleuve]

Hope you had a successful session at the weekend, sorry for off topic, I noticed your "Help for Heroes" link in your siggie....... are you ex forces?

[barbelblanker]

Sort of. Not a regular I was an RAFVR(T) officer for a while. The RAFVR(T) is the reserve branch of the Royal Air Force associated with the Air Training Corps (hence the (T) for Training). It has no combat role . I was an air cadet as a teenager and wanted to put something back so I started as a civilian instructor and was advised I could do more as a commisioned officer. So I am proud to have served in uniform for at least some time , though I had no role other than teaching teenagers and young adults and providing some leadership and direction within the ATC. I certainly make no claim whatsoever to be in the same position as the wonderful individuals that Help for heroes seeks to assist. Obviously I do know a lot of people who are, were or still are in the forces due to my links both family and associates over the years. I have a deep respect and gratitude to these individuals . Hence the answer sort of.

[Poisson dans la Fleuve]

Originally Posted by barbelblanker

Sort of. Not a regular I was an RAFVR(T) officer for a while. The RAFVR(T) is the reserve branch of the Royal Air Force associated with the Air Training Corps (hence the (T) for Training). It has no combat role . I was an air cadet as a teenager and wanted to put something back so I started as a civilian instructor and was advised I could do more as a commisioned officer. So I am proud to have served in uniform for at least some time , though I had no role other than teaching teenagers and young adults and providing some leadership and direction within the ATC. I certainly make no claim whatsoever to be in the same position as the wonderful individuals that Help for heroes seeks to assist. Obviously I do know a lot of people who are, were or still are in the forces due to my links both family and associates over the years. I have a deep respect and gratitude to these individuals . Hence the answer sort of.

Nice, at the end of the day you contributed and thats what counts, perhaps more importantly.... you still support, I spent almost 28 years in the Army from 16, left in 2004, first 20 years as a soldier, last few as an officer.

So did you fish at the weekend?

[barbelblanker]

Report is already posted along with some photos (different post). Blanked and loved it. Used the time to try some stuff out and refine the "stay mobile" approach. I took a combined seat and bag I got from Argos as while ago and it's better in some ways than the chair I've got. You can stand up and just use it to rest on. It's small so it fits better in the bushes. The legs don't dig in as the are bent steel. Above all it's uncomfortable after about twenty minutes. Ideal! One other unlooked for plus was that some areas far too boggy to get to in the summer were frozen solid. Bonus.

[fishermanz]

Hi people im new to this forum thing so i apologise if im doing something wrong! I've been very interested in your posts about the river stour as i used to live in cookley but never really gave it a proper look. Last year i fished the swim next to the lock pub, i had a good few hours catching a few chub, not massive but nice fish! I am most interested in finding some barbel in the stour. I have seen some nice barbel in kiddy town centre (under the bridge leading from weavers wharf) along with some nice chub and roach. I don't really fancy fishing in the town centre with the shopping trolleys and discarded computer monitors! Any ideas? help would be much appreciated!

[Poisson dans la Fleuve]

Originally Posted by fishermanz

Hi people im new to this forum thing so i apologise if im doing something wrong! I've been very interested in your posts about the river stour as i used to live in cookley but never really gave it a proper look. Last year i fished the swim next to the lock pub, i had a good few hours catching a few chub, not massive but nice fish! I am most interested in finding some barbel in the stour. I have seen some nice barbel in kiddy town centre (under the bridge leading from weavers wharf) along with some nice chub and roach. I don't really fancy fishing in the town centre with the shopping trolleys and discarded computer monitors! Any ideas? help would be much appreciated!

Check out Post #7, there are some small barbel in there and Chubb to a couple of pounds.
As an alternative, drive into the Horsfair in Kiddy, right at the traffic lights and down the Hill (Broad Street), at the bottom turn left and before the road banks to the left you will see a bridge (goes over the canal) on your right, go over the bridge and park your car, if you stand with your back to the canal and look ahead 75 yards you have the Stour, to your left is a fence that goes around the Post office depot (I think) there are a couple of decent swims, one near the fence, one further right about 50 yards.

Hope you understood all that!