Bristol Avon catch report's (10/11)

[Avonbarbel]

Good Luck for the coming season chaps!...

[jumbodog]

Yes good luck to all on the coming campaign. Hopefully there will be lots of posts and photos after tomorrow.

Jedd

[barbel_chris]

I managed to get a 4.30am start in this morning for a few hours before work, not a lot happened... Arrived to see a nice chub on the bank, a few carp milling around in the weed and that's about it for me...

Try and get back out later after work for a few more hours walking about.. Hopefully those that managed to get out got amongst a few today..

All the best to all

Chris

[Barbel123]

That nice chub would be mine . You must be Mikes mate, hello. I ended up with 3 chub & a bream for my efforts today. It was nice to back on the BA & dispite seeing some small barbel I could not get them going. I did have a kingfisher land on my rod though which was nice to see. Hope to see some more posts later.

Cheers
James

[runhunt]

was out this am as well, two chub for me one about 12oz and one that was getting on for five, very empty fish, will be A good one later on in year. only one thing the bigger one was covered in round parasites, that were green ish with two big black eyes, never seen these creatures before anyone know what sort of parasite it could be?, they were round greenish and also a little spotty, could almost look like baby thornback rays, odd things. good luck to all.

[ididcatchonce]

only one thing the bigger one was covered in round parasites, that were green ish with two big black eyes, never seen these creatures before anyone know what sort of parasite it could be?, they were round greenish and also a little spotty, could almost look like baby thornback rays, odd things. good luck to all.

Hi Paul,

They are in fact freshwater lice, Argulus, parasites which live on and eat the skin. In appearance they have similarities to sea lice, except the bodies of the adults are a bit larger, clearish in colour with prominent eyes. They thrive in warm weather and especially in slow or still water. When not on the fish they are free swimming and will find another host when required. Prolific outbreaks can cause significant damage to fishes skin leaving open wounds susceptible to secondary bacterial infection. They are actually a crustacean parasite and a nasty piece of work, particularly if you are unfortunate enough to get them in amongst your pond fish, native wild fish deal with them easily unless the infection is excessive. The fish you see flanking hard across the bottom during hot spells are usually cleaning these things off.

Regards Martin

P.S. Blanked today Spent two hours trying to coax one Barbel into picking up my bait only for any chance I might have had being scuppered when two chaps filled the opposite bank two yards above the snag I was fishing with pellet Mind you it did appear at around half past two and picked up one free offering.

Go on, just one more little waffer thin pellet.....no thanks I'm stuffed

[jackfoxy]

Had a cracking first day of the season. Spotted lots of fish, including some very nice Barbel who were feeding and rummaging around. Spent ages feeding fish and then remembered that I was supposed to be actually fishing for them...

Had three nice chub - nothing massive (biggest about 3.5lb).

Spotted a small group of Barbel - fished from the top of the bank (highest on the stretch I reckon) having set up my rope/spike and landing net downstream. Barbel picked up the pellet - fight on! Moved down to the landing spot, slid down the bank to what I though was the bottom... and ended up in the river! Nice and warm it was too. Barbel was about 7lbs.

Spotted a few other fish around and at midday managed a cracker of 9lb 7oz. Great morning! Not as many anglers around as I thought there would be which was nice...

[Barbel123]

A good day indeed Jackfoxy, well done. I was also surprised how few anglers were on the bank, but i'm sure the coach parties will be back at the weekend . Might have another go after work today & see if yesterdays bait has got them in the mood.
Cheers
James

[NMD]

well i fished local due too the fact i have just lost my step dad, but he rewarded me with a little blessing a 9oz baby barbel again covered in lice but they where dead also caught a dab havent seen one for years

[Fish Botherer]

Had a lovely day out on the BA yesterday. My brother managed a Chub of 5lb 2oz although it should have been much heavier and I managed my first Barbus Barbus of the season at 5lb 6oz. Not a monster but a welcome fish!!!