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Which BAA swims on the Severn & Teme still produce regular barbel in the 2020's please?

Mork

Mork
Total Posts: 111
Joined: July 24, 2021

Hi All.

I've just retired and want to get back on the bank after a 25 year break. I bought a BAA card and headed out for the swims I remember on the middle Severn, but the river had changed and many of the pegs didn't exist anymore!

I realise that there's been a decline in barbel and they're not so well spread as they used to be, so I'd really appreciate anyone kind enough to describe how to find specific pegs that still regularly produce barbel please?

If there's already a thread on this, please let me know where, otherwise I will create a list here based on my previous knowledge... Best fishes!

Severn:
# Trimpley Peg 9
# Arley left bank below footbridge. Around 250yds down, there's a tall steep bank leading to a sandstone shelf (exposed when river is low). Stand on the shelf and trot a float down a rod length over the shelf. A further good peg is the gravel rapids adjacent to Worrells Grove Farm (look on google maps). Great for wading into 18" of water.
# Danery last 2 pegs

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Posted on July 25, 2021 at 2:57 AM

Fishychris

Fishychris
Total Posts: 246
Joined: December 1, 2020

Re: Which BAA swims on the Severn & Teme still produce regular barbel in the 2020's please?

Hi Mork, you'll do well to get people to describe specific pegs. Probably not a good idea either in case the poachers see.

What I will say is that many of the old favourites still produce, but the river changes a bit with the floods each year, so you may find just moving in either direction a peg or two may be enough. Also just vary everything up. The fish are there, they just may not fall for the same old traps time after time...

There are plenty being caught this year though. Last year I think was tough. I only caught 1 barbel from BAA waters. Then again I didn't fish them much, but had a good year on the trent and dove. This year I've caught 2 or 3 every time so far.

Posted on July 25, 2021 at 9:36 PM

Mork

Mork
Total Posts: 111
Joined: July 24, 2021

Re: Which BAA swims on the Severn & Teme still produce regular barbel in the 2020's please?

Thanks Fishychris - I hadn't considered that...
You may be right but i'm struggling to understand the effectiveness of poaching barbel given that most pleasure & match angler reports show so few barbel caught on the Severn.
The thought that barbel pound for pound being one of the cheapest to buy,
Such low numbers caught,
The size, weight, expense of the equipment required to transport them alive from the bank & survive the journey,
I can't imagine that anyone could net more than the min wage!
Or are you talking for eating and the alleged 'pleasure' of catch, kill, cook & eat?

Posted on July 26, 2021 at 8:29 AM

Fishychris

Fishychris
Total Posts: 246
Joined: December 1, 2020

Re: Which BAA swims on the Severn & Teme still produce regular barbel in the 2020's please?

Yes exactly. Stolen fish these days don't end up in a different water, they end up in someone's stomach.

In terms of number, barbel stocks are down, but in terms of biomass I don't think theres much difference. Just fewer, bigger, fish. Hence why barbel gear is now more specialised e.g. with 2lb test curve rods more akin to carping. They are still breeding successfully though. I've had half a dozen barbel below 1.5lb this year, which are all natural fish. Apart from 1 which was stocked- these have a blue dot on their belly.

Posted on July 26, 2021 at 8:52 AM

Paul

Paul
Total Posts: 42
Joined: January 31, 2019

Re: Which BAA swims on the Severn & Teme still produce regular barbel in the 2020's please?

Hi Mork best advise I can give is what I was told. Leave the rods at home and walk the banks. When I retired I spent a couple of weeks visiting as many different stretches as I could and it was a great education.

Regarding best swims, as Chris said not a good idea on an open forum but at the end of the day do your homework and you will be rewarded.

Posted on July 26, 2021 at 5:36 PM

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