With up and down flows and some intermittent catches the barbel are still being caught in the Courtfield beat. Christopher Bolter and son on Saturday 5th November, had 8 lovely barbel to 9lb 14oz and lost one or two others fishing no 6 swim The Bay, where two 10s were caught the previous week. David Bolingbroke and friend fishing swims 2 and 3 on Monday 7th November had two good barbel each and David Chesterman had a 10lb7oz and 8.5lb barbel from swim 2 on Saturday 12th November. These are all from Leggs Meadow. The odd barbel is still being caught through the Wood stretch, Tim Lennon catching one on Friday 11th from no 14 swim Big Willow Downstream Swim. Combined with the occasional chub and pike the barbel fishing looks likely to continue while the mild weather lasts, but don’t expect to catch more than a few fish!

I recommend fishermen bring trotting tackle as well to target the chub and dace, which can give fantastic sport in the faster water, particularly along the bankside runs of Wyebank.