Winter Whiskers

I don't quite know what it is but I just can't quite turn my back on the Barbel scene just yet the Pike fishing been put on the back foot so with a day off work Monday there was only one thing in mind the River Ribble so Sunday night I got all the gear ready made a nice batch of paste and I was ready for "Hopefully" some barbel fishing.
After negotiating the steep bank I was on the bank of the Ribble at first light. Conditions looked good air Temp was 9 Degrees so still quite Mild, I decided to fish a lodge baits 14mm Shrimp Boilie with a Flat paste Lead up-streaming the rod consistently casting every 20-30mins I was feeling quite confident the first hour after 3 hours I wasn't feeling so confident it seamed I was doing everything right or as right as I thought.
I decided I would have a look for a few worms I found a nice big lob under what looked like a tomb stone changed things over on the rig hooked the lob first cast right into Chub City only a little chub around 2lb but it Was a welcome fish I couldn't find another worm anywhere so it was back on the Shrimp this time a Dumbbell and what a good change that turned out to be within 20 minutes I was slipping the net under the first barbel of 2013 an 8lb 4oz Whisker with the epic fight she put up I thought it was a new PB never the less a very welcome fish and very Pleased decided to wrap up and head home at 1pm with a big smile on my face,
Look forward to the next trip.

January Whisker 8lb 4oz

The Rig 

The Rig "Now wrapped in The Lodge Specialist Baits Paste"

Home Made Feeders

Recently decided to start making my own feeders for fishing the rivers as there's some really good quality feeders out there at some quite expensive prices ranging from £1.75-£2.50 it gets quite pricey after losing a fair few so thought i'd start making my own from hair curlers You can buy a pack of 6 curlers for £1 I use Korda's Spare Inserts For in-line leads & ESP big eye Swivels /each priced around £2:50
I Would suggest using Power Gum or Trace Wire to attach The Swivel to the Lead
Another option is to Vist your local D.I.Y store and buy a Sheet of Wire mesh which also works a Treat.

Here's a few Picture's of my Home-made Feeders Hope it Save's you a Few Quid To...

Mesh Feeders 

Feeder's Made From Hair Curlers

The Items I've Used 

I'm Back

Well I'm back I've not abandoned the Blog Just not had allot of time to hand over the past few months After recently moving house & work but 2013 Brings new things so i hope to concentrate on the blog this year. Just so your up to date I've broke my PB Barbel on the river Ribble a 10lb 3oz Specimen That was back in October She was a lovely fish what i named "Twisted" With her Tail looking like its been shut in a Door I also had a few more fish from the Ribble mainly lower weights 6-9lb got out a few times Nov-Dec looking for the Pike but only had the one around 7lb so i think i need to motivate myself in 2013 and really Crack on I'm hoping to get out this week maybe Thursday 3rd Jan then again on Saturday or Sunday maybe just for a pike session but i'll come to that when/if that happens..

All The Best For 2013 Tight Lines.....

9lb 8oz River Ribble 

The PB of 10lb 3oz
River Ribble

The Fish Named "Twisted"