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 NeilW |
River Chelmer |
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Posts: 8 (27/10/06 18:57) |
Please be patient this is my first posting. In last weeks local newspaper there was a report of a 8lb
 z Barbel caught from the River Chelmer in Essex. I was wondering if any Barbel anglers from the area have heard of or seen Barbel taken from this river.
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barbeljoe |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 1678 (27/10/06 20:24) |
Dear Neil,
I have heard "reports" of barbel from the Chelmer, though nothing totally iron-clad. I have no doubt that there are possibly one or two in there, but that is literally it! I can think of only a handful of places where habitat is even remotely suitable to the barbel, and where you would possibly be in with a chance of catching one. As with all the rivers around this way, they are far from healthy and apart from a few areas, harbour few fish. With all the abstraction, run-off, etc, they are not in good shape. Still, there are some areas on the Chelmer where you can be in with a shout of some real nice chub, carp and pike. The Springfield area is noted for chub, and possibly some barbel, though you are in rather urban surroundings which isn't for me. Did this newspaper report say where the fish came from..? Regards, Joe. |
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NeilW |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 8 (28/10/06 10:39) |
The newspaper said the Barbel was caught at Paper Mills, Little baddow and was taken on luncheon meat.
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barbeljoe |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 1678 (28/10/06 10:45) |
Dear Neil,
Paper Mill Lock eh... I have fished there before - only for pike mind, but IMO, the only place you can really even hope for a barbel is from one of the mills dotted along the length of the river. Maybe worth a go, but I ain't mad enough for that yet! Regards, Joe. |
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lesliefisherman |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 2713 (28/10/06 10:49) |
hi,as far as i know there are a few at gt baddow,i used to travel form hitchin to gt baddow to see my sister who lived there,that was way back in the seventies though.derek.
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NeilW |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 8 (28/10/06 10:56) |
Hi Joe
Thanks for the reply. I've fished this stretch of the river on and off for 20+ years and this is the first time I've heard of Barbel in the river. I also agree with you that there is only a few spots on the river that look as if they could hold Barbel. It would be nice to try somewhere nearer home as travelling to the Kennet at the moment with all the road works can be a nightmare. |
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Mark ONeill |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 1301 (28/10/06 11:44) |
you never know until you try! give it a shot and see what you get, you may be surprised!
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barbeljoe |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 1678 (28/10/06 12:31) |
Dear Neil,
I know what you mean about the travelling distances to find any reasonable barbel fishing (or just river fishing, for that matter...) - I too am in Essex, and my most "local" river is the Wensum, which requires a 200 mile round trip - not forgetting the occasional jaunt to the Teme (fantastic place) which is even further! Luckily I am based in Hampshire (Winchester way) at the moment, so I've got some great fishing nearby. I must admit that I've heard reports of barbel over the last few years from the Chelmer, though I doubt many of them are true. Apparently the river record is in the region of 13lbs.... There are also supposed to be some of the barbuled kind in some of the tributaries of the river, though again, only sketchy rumours. Give some of the Mill pools a go just fishing meat for chub, and you never know, you may even latch into that very rare creature in "our" rivers... Good luck. Regards, Joe. |
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Fred Bonney |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 512 (28/10/06 14:10) |
Didn't the Suffolk Stour have a Barbel stocking?
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barbeljoe |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 1678 (28/10/06 15:27) |
Dear Fred,
Yes, the S.Stour has had a number of stockings over the years, but, because of the nature of the river and mini barbel being what they are, recruitment and actual survival rates were low, resulting in low adult barbel populations. They are around, and they do get caught, but it takes one hell of alot of effort to even locate them, let alone catch 'em. I haven't even found one this season, though I haven't really been able to get up there as often as I would have liked, mainly because of super low water levels. Just had a look at the Chelmer, definately not a barbel river in the reaches I just saw - more like stillwater barbel! Regards, Joe. |
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Fred Bonney |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 512 (28/10/06 15:40) |
I have to say Joe, my experiences of fishing the Chelmer were 30odd years ago,can't think of any Barbel spots,unless they like living in a canal.
Then and again,there are some rivers, with canal like features in places, that do produce.
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barbeljoe |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 1678 (28/10/06 23:27) |
Dear Fred,
It would probably make you sad if you were to see the Chelmer now. Apparently, it used to be quite a good river, but in the years I have been looking around the river, I have only found a handful of stretches that look fishy. Quote: True, the Kennet and Avon canal throws up one or two, as do some other canals. Regards, Joe. |
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Harry |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 7 (29/10/06 09:24) |
Hi everyone, just thought you Essex based barbel anglers might be interested in this link. Follow the link and click on gallery and then click on suffolk stour. Well worth a look.
www.caps.org.uk/frames.htm Regards Harrry  |
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barbeljoe |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 1678 (29/10/06 10:59) |
Dear Harry,
Yes, I have seen those fish - absolute belters they are, and taken when the river was just into the grips of the drought. The thing is, I know where those fish came from, and whilst eventually I may have to fish there, I like trying to do my own thing - but so far that is failing! Regards, Joe. |
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Harry |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 7 (29/10/06 14:59) |
Hi Joe
I also must agree with you, the fish are absolute monsters for the Suffolk Stour, I have probably spent the last five years in search of something like that on the Stour, but after miles of walking and studying the Stour I have never so much seen a single barbel, let alone anything the size of the pictures on the CAPS site. I don't know if the other anglers on this site know how lucky they are to have such quality rivers in their region, but I guess the likes of us will have to keep clocking up the mileage on our vehicles, in search of what we like to fish for. All the best for the coming winter season. Regards Harry |
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barbeljoe |
Re: River Chelmer | ||
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Posts: 1678 (29/10/06 17:59) |
Dear Harry,
The Stour certainly ain't an easy one to crack, I have only come across barbel on a couple of occasions, once where I found a small group of baby barbel on the river (encouraging to see...) and another time where I found one around 4-5lbs on a shallow gravel area. There are big fish in there (the biggest I know of is over 14, I think it went 14.6) but there aren't many at all. I will still keep fishing there, as if I do eventually catch one, I know it will be worth it. All the best to your fishing too. Regards, Joe. |
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