Birmingham Anglers Association

I have fished at Arley for the thick end of 60 years, caught my first Barbel in 1967 it was around 2lb . Then the barbel explosion took off. I was quite normal to be fishing single maggot or caster on a 16 /18 hook catching chub , dace etc . Then wham the barbel would move it. You would catch anything up to 20 barbel in a session. Then the swim feeder took over. Tried swim feeder .I much prefer using the the float . The match rod has gone I now use a 13ft rod with 1 1/2 pound test curve 6lb line straight through . Still catch barbel using maggots and meat . Unfortunately most of the good float swims are now over grown, it s difficult to fish, you can walk down the left bank near the railway bridge some good pegs there , It's long walk so travel light. To answer your question Arley left bank , you need to walk upstream above the Island the bottom is mainly gravel. Rt bank below the foot bridge, several good swims. only a few good float swims unless you want to wade. Why do the specialists need a bite alarm ?.