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The Upper River Ouse
Barbel
Barbus Barbus
A large growing powerful river fish, which has become a popular target species for many anglers in recent years. Characterised by a long lean muscular body, and four sensory barbules.
Originally the barbel was indigenous to the River Thames only. But subsequent stockings by angling clubs and fish farms, has led to the species being far more widespread throughout England. The Hampshire Avone became famous throughout the 60's for its barbel captures, and more recently the River Severn, and Upper River Ouse, have become well known for the capture of large individual specimens.
The Barbel Society is an angling club designed to provide an effective link to all barbel anglers. Its a good organisation to join, and find out more about barbel fishing in general.
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Although summer fishing for barbel is very
popular for many anglers, in my opinion, the best time to catch
the largest resident fish is during the winter months, when
the habits of the barbel can become a more predictable affair.
There are two main factors that effect the habits of barbel
during the winter months. The first and most important factor
is water temperature.
It is now widely recognised that barbel
will not generally feed in temperatures below
40° Fahrenheit. At times during the winter we can experience
weeks of freezing conditions. However once the water temperature
exceeds the 40° mark barbel will predictably feed with confidence.
The second important factor that effects the habits of barbel
during winter, is floodwater. Barbel are one of the few river
fish which will continue to feed in the most coloured floodwater
conditions. In fact, in many ways, flood conditions are the
optimum time to catch our target fish because barbel at this
time can go on a feeding frenzy!
 In
recent years, flood conditions have become increasingly more
common during the winter months, and warmer summers, and wetter
winters have become a phenomenon of the last decade. these mild
and wet days, are the ideal times to be on the river bank during
the winter months. and it is during this time of the year that
the biggest barbel can be caught. During the winter, the mildest
days usually occur during typically mild south westerly weather
patterns. These wet rainy conditions are usually proceeded by
winter river floods, and it is these conditions that are the
optimum times to be barbel fishing during the winter.
The best flood conditions in my opinion,
is a new flood, which has just proceeded a cold spell. These
conditions can represent the best chance of success for the
barbel angler, and the situation of a rapidly rising thermometer,
just after a very cold spell usually means the fish will definitely
be feeding. All my winter fishing is done when the conditions
are right. I do not see the point in struggling to catch when
the conditions are clearly not correct. So if the weather temperatures
are not right, I stay at home. Its as simple as that.
However it is essential to keep a regular
note of the daily temperatures during the winter, which means
watching the weather forecast's. I always use the BBC weather
service on the Internet, www.bbc.co.uk/weather,
which is excellent, and gives a fairly thorough 24 hour forecast,
with details of wind direction and air temperature etc. I find
that the TV weather services are generally a waste of time as
they are not informative enough for me. It is also essential
to keep an eye on the river conditions on a regular basis, and
when the temperature is right it is necessary to ´strike
while the iron is hot´ so to speak. This last point is
very important as river levels are very difficult to predict
during winter months. Therefor, regular visits to the river,
to check on water levels is an essential part of successful
winter barbel fishing.
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