Duncan Charmans World of Angling: Barbel fishing on the Wye

Where else can you watch salmon leap clear of the water, see no other anglers, listen to the air filled with birdsong and constantly get your arm ripped of from hard fighting barbel? The river Wye of course and if you have never experienced fishing on this magical river then its time you did. I spent two weeks on the river last year, looking after a group of Wye virgins and during the first week they accounted for 65 barbel and countless chub. The weather was fantastic, hot and sunny, not quite barbel conditions, yet did this make any difference, no, as rod tips continuously pulled around and clutches screamed. The second week of October wasn’t as kind weather wise with the river rising to flood conditions on the last day, yet that day two anglers caught 28 barbel, truly amazing.

This year I have another two weeks booked. These are the weeks starting Monday 2^nd of September and the week starting on the 30^th September. The first week is all about catching barbel and chub and we even have permission to stay on the bank, so this will allow us to fish into darkness. The second week I will be targeting barbel and pike.

The river Wye is around two and a half hours drive from my Hampshire home, so although some anglers book two days, it is possible to drive up in the morning, fish the day, then drive back in the evening. There are loads of quality B&B surrounding the private stretch I have booked, which by the way is owned by Venetai Williams, a very successful race horse trainer, and detail of these are available on request. The stretch also has a most productive swim that I have booked, so barbel are guaranteed.

A few days have already been booked, yet I still have a couple free so if you are interested in experiencing the river Wye for the first time under my guidance then get in touch soon as I know this event will be completely booked very soon.