Ade Kiddell- April 2019

This entry was posted on 26th April, 2019

They say the older you are the quicker time goes by and from where I’m sitting that seems to be the case, it feels like just yesterday I was sat on a frozen river bank catching chub on bread. Fast forward a few months and it feels like an early summers morning, the birds are singing and the trees are green. Unfortunately, the fishing is not reminiscent of summer. After some of the best winters fishing I have ever experienced the fishing over the last couple of weeks has been tough, but that didn’t stop me registering a couple of new PBs. My initial new PB came in the shape of my first double figure barbel, which I caught from the swims that I fish in my own garden - at 10lb 7oz not the biggest barbel I have ever caught but certainly one of the most rewarding.



My second PB is not fishing related, more of a personal best, myself and my partner Tjitske got married, we have been engaged for, let's say, a long while! So we decided it was time for a long over-due wedding. We got married in Holland with some close friends and family in attendance and had a very enjoyable and memorable day - many thanks to those whose sent cards and kind wishes they were very much appreciated.

I was hoping the river carp would put in an early season appearance so in anticipation I had been feeding a few spots and keeping an eye out for fish showing along the stretch of water. However, my carefully positioned bait went untouched and there were no obvious signs of fish. Following a few chats with local anglers it appeared as though the river carp were late in waking from their winter slumber. I attempted several overnight sessions but other than bream, barbel and chub the alarms stayed silent.

I plan to keep feeding the spots and watching for signs, I am sure they will come eventually and I don't want to miss the action when the carp do arrive, I still have my sights set on a river 40 after all.



In recent weeks, a couple of mates staying at the house have managed mid-twenties carp whilst barbel fishing, leading me to believe the fish are active but have not yet settled into their summer quarters. One of our regular visitors, Graham, had a real red letter day, firstly landing a barbel of 10lb 7oz then a sizable river eel weighing in at 3lb 2oz, followed by a plump carp of 24lb 7oz just minutes later – an impressive mixed bag of fish from the same swim in just a few hours fishing. I have to hand it to him, landing three fish I would have happily caught individually let alone in the same session!

Elsewhere, I was delighted when I heard the fantastic news that Norfolk angler and fellow Angling Direct Team member, Darryn Stolworthy had won the Drennan cup. The cup is awarded to the top Specimen angler of the year and knowing Darryn I can vouch for how much time and effort he puts into to his fishing, his victory is well deserved.



The start of the new River season in England will soon be here so now is the time to be checking over rods and reels, changing main lines and stocking up on bait and tackle in readiness for the coming season. I also like to get around the venues I fish, observing how the winter may have changed certain swims, looking for signs of fish and potential new areas in which to place a rig. So much can be done in anticipation of the new season and work carried out now will pay dividends during the course of the season.

My plans over the next few weeks include that 40lb river carp with my name on it, as a result I am feeding and watching certain spots, hopefully the fishing will improve over the next few weeks. I will be at the Barbel Society annual show in Telford on the 26th May, the show is the get together for barbel anglers, with top speakers talking all things barbel its sure to be a treasure-trove of tips and tricks to improve your barbel fishing.