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Fished the Lower Severn today, in about 8 feet or so of floodwater. Was able to get into 4 swims, all of which I fed a rod length out with 4 spods of hempseed.

I then waited about 15 minutes before moving into swim 1, a small crease swim under my own feet. No more than 2ozs of lead swung into the main flow, allowed to sink and then trundle across the flow until it settled on the inside of the crease. First cast - 9lb 12ozs.

Into swim 2, a longer run below a partially sunken tree. Same rig, same cast but this time fished upstream - no fish.

Swim 3, a smooth run above a partially sunken tree, same rig, same cast - rod almost pulled from my hands as soon as the lead settled - 8lb 10ozs.

Swim 4, identical swim to swim 3 with identical result 7lb 11ozs.

4 more spods of hempseed into each swim, and the rotation started again. Only swim 1 produced on this rotation - 6lb 10ozs.

4 more spods in each swim and fished in rotation, again swim 1 was the only producer - 10lb 6ozs.

The light lead seemed to make a difference as the casts, albeit short underarm flicks, were very un-splashy and I reasoned that the Barbel would be at the near bank, in water that was not "barrelling" through so when the light lead found the inside of the crease, that was where the Barbel would be.

This was my first attempt at Barbel fishing in floodwater, and I think shows the merit of preparing more than 1 swim and fishing in rotation. It appears that time + effort = success

As Scuba Steve explains, the confidence does go sky high once the first Barbel is banked in these conditions, and I hope to get back to the Severn tomorrow for another try.

best of luck

Paul

PS: I recommend reading Quest for Barbel (Miles/West) if you can get a copy - top reading on winter floodwater fishing.