Barbel Day Is Blessed Again

The Barbel Day is now an event permanently fixed in the VAC Specialist Committee calendar. Last year’s event was extremely successful, and we were hoping for more of the same this time around.

Using the club’s River Ouse stretch at Felmersham, the Specialist Committee organised a day centred around the various aspects of barbel fishing. The weather was once again unseasonably kind to us, and on a sunny day in October we had an impressive turnout, with over 70 members coming along to see what was on offer.
The ethos of the day is to demonstrate the many and varied ways of fishing for the elusive barbel. We therefore had numerous demonstrators out on the river, showing a variety of tactics from trotting on the centrepin to legering. Members were invited to sit with the demonstrators and ask as many questions as they wanted.
The chaps from Teme Severn came down to join us for the day, and provided a very insightful lecture and demonstration on barbel baits. The gazebo was full to the brim for this section of the day, and many members simply could not believe the size of some of the hook baits recommended. Take a large tin of luncheon meat, cut in in half, stick a hook into it, and in you go – I kid you not! The Teme Severn guys showed the rigs to use with the various baits, and explained when and how to apply the different methods. Everyone seemed to take something from this talk, and we would like to thank the Teme Severn guys for their time and effort in helping us out. Hopefully you will be back next year, chaps!

A superb lunch of home-made Irish Stew was graciously provided by Richard from The Swan Restaurant in Boxmoor (worth a visit if you are in the area!) and this went down extremely well. Richard will be helping us out with some of the catering for some future events, so again, thanks are due!

After lunch, members wandered off to find a swim to try to apply their new knowledge. Unfortunately, with the sun bright and clear in the sky, and 70+ members tramping the banks, the barbel were never going to play ball on the day. Whilst plenty of roach and chub were banked, only one barbel slipped up to Ian Waugh. Hopefully you guys all fared better on your next trip out.

The Ouse venues on the club’s portfolio really are gems – miles of unspoilt and picturesque river simply waiting to be fished. Hopefully the barbel day gave an insight into how to go about this. At the very least, however, we all had a great day out. Hopefully, many of you were inspired to have a go this winter. If not, we will see you for the next one!