Back on Home Turf..... 29-8-12

After a poor weekend away fishing in Derby I had the opportunity to fish with friend on a Private stretch of the River Ribble where I know a few Doubles had been caught in previous weeks we arranged to meet at 6:30 just off the M6. After meeting up we had a short drive to the stretch & when we finally arrived on the bank after a long walk over a number of fields we arrived just after 7pm the river looked good nice bit of colour & up around 18" I picked my swim Decided to fish two rods one on the feeder (Down River)thinking the barbel would take some feed and the other on a 1oz bomb (UP River) My mix consisted of 12mm,8mm & 6mm Elliptical Pellets With some Sonubaits Hemp & Hally Crush mixed in my rigs are more or less the exact same all the time (Its a confidence Thing) with a variable hook length depended on conditions I use Nash Trigga link from the main line(12lb Subline)to a Drennan Bead & Swivel,Running Ledger link With a Quick change link Attached (Change from Lead to Feeder) Hook links vary in length currently using ESP soft Ghost 10 & 12lb To a Korda Curve Shank Size 12 with 8mm or 12mm on the hair. Now back to the Fishing by 8pm I was sat with a brew waiting patiently i was getting quite a few taps so I was bulging with confidence the fish where there Possible attacking the feeder ? it wasn't long before the first fish fell to the down river rod on the feeder a nice barbel of around 5lb not long after the up river rod being plucked at then a tug so i picked the rod up but it was snagged but i could feel the fish for a second or two before she got away we can't win them all Eh. Shortly after the down river rod was ripping off down river i was into another fish felt a good fish after a short scrap she was in the net and a nice looking fish of about 6lb Some fight for a fish of that size that must be why I've become so addicted to barbel fishing,After a rest in the net she was released fighting fit. By Now it was getting late 10pm i was on nights so had to leave at around 10:30 But the best was yet to come the feeder was producing the goods i knew they'd want feeding.Next thing it was off screaming down river yet again but yet another one bites the Dust. I had 20minutes before i had to wrap up for work Decided to scale the bait down a bit to 2 x 6mm's and what a decision it turned out to be i was Rewarded with a Pristine 9lb 8oz Beauty no PB not a very memorable Barbel and i got to work on time.