An eventful day on the Severn

Darren goes fishing on the lower severn and banks his first barbel of the season

After quite torrential rain during the week, I was gagging to get on the severn to have a crack at my first barbel of the season. I'd had a couple of sessions previously but due to hot, dry conditions coupled with a low river and not being able to fish at night, blanks were the only result. So, I was looking forward to getting on the banks after a bit of the wet stuff!

Martyn and I arrived mid-morning chomping at the bit. We decided to fish at opposite ends of the stretch in the hope of locating the fish. So I set off on the long walk to my favourite day-time peg on the stretch. The swim is slightly deeper than the surrounding pegs, and although I cannot be sure, I am convinced that the barbel hole up here during the day.

I set up just one rod, with my usual running leger rig, and moulded some scalded pellets around the grippa lead. This was cast downstream to the sweet spot about 1/3 of the way across.

An hour or so later my smallish pellet hookbait was snaffled by a barbel. The Lower Severn barbs have a bit of a reputation of fighting rather poorly. To be frank I don't know where this came from, as this fish had my arm aching rapidly! Maybe its lack of practise - those tench and carp just aren't the same... The fish was clearly in fighting-fit condition and the 4lber was returned with no fuss.

After a quick brew the rig was back out there and doing its thing. I rarely use much loose-feed on the lower severn, I feel it just attracts bream. Half an hour of relaxing in my seat - no loose-feed makes fishing very laid back - the rod was slowly bending round again.

This fish didn't charge off, no, I knew straight away that this barbel was a bit better. Then just as the adrenaline got pumping, the fish swam downstream and there was nothing I could do about it! I started thinking Id hooked a silver tourist, until the run ended and I gained some line.

Eventually I persuaded the fish off the bottom, after a good five minutes scrap, with an aching arm I slid what looked a long, lean fish which was definately a double over the landing net!

Unhooked and weighed with the assistance of my favourite angling partner - my Dad - we agreed on a weight of 11lb 9oz. What a start to the season!

Two more fish followed before the bream moved in, signalling time for a pint. On the way out of the car park in the van, a familiar face drove past. Phil Smith had turned up for a session! We stopped for a chat and told him of my catch. He had caught plenty the night previously but not the double he was after. He showed photos of his recent captures however, and they are impressive!

Nice meeting you Phil, hope you get what you're after.

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