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Thanks for the replies!

I think there are probably so many variables that it would be nearly impossible to list them all.

However, I know barbel anglers who have chased particular fish for years, myself included. They might catch one or two fish in a season, but their committment to acheiving their goals is commendable in my view.

I also know of anglers who will empty a river of barbel including many doubles over a season. They seem to know the rivers they fish well and can read when the optimum times will be.

Others commit themselves to organisations such as the BS or BCC and even BFW etc, although some do not seem to catch a large number of fish or any particularly big fish, but they love to be contributing to the club or barbel fishing in general. Without these people, we would be the worse for it. They need to be acknowledged!

I think the best barbel anglers are those who enjoy the sport with a passion as this is usually reflected in their positive attitude and we all benefit from this. They usually end up catching some good quality fish as well and dont mind helping others to achieve their own goals, so in that context, most of us on this site could be considered to be good barbel anglers, because we care deeply about our sport and are prepared to share information (although not give everything away)..

I have deliberately not mentioned tackle or methods, because barbel get caught on very basic tackle and methods as well as the more complex. They all have their place in my view providing that they cause no harm or as little as possible to fish or environment. I know that is a debate in itself!

Thanks again for your replies.

Wurzel

Bob,

Very good point!

Wurzel

Dave,

I agree with you in principle, but there are ways around this providing you can afford petrol to get to where you want to fish (i struggle with petrol).

There are free stretches on most rivers, which negates the need for buying tickets. I can think of at least three rivers local to me where some fishing is free and where some massive barbel have been caught very recently. I even fish two free stretches myself as i have recently been made redundant and cant afford to buy tickets.

Bait is the next most expensive thing on the list usually, but big barbel still get caught on the cheapest. You can also shop around for things like pellets and seeds, which can be bought at some trout farm suppliers and pet stores at silly prices compared with bait shops.

Time is a little bit more difficult, but i suppose it depends on family commitments, work, where you live and how quickly you can be on the bank. It is difficult getting a balance which suits everybody and not just yourself, i struggle with this at times. Perhaps i am lucky in that i can be on the banks of the upper thames in ten minutes even if there are no fish about, it is worth wandering around searching swims and likely spots.

Wurzel