Barbel Now Reviews


Books, Prints and Videos

CHRIS TURNBULL FINE ART FISH PRINTS

I was lucky enough to be sent Snag Swim Barbel for review and the first thing I can tell you is that the reproduction you see on the right doesn't do the print full justice. It doesn't come close.

I was quite taken aback when I saw the print itself. The colours are far more natural, making the barbel look really 'barbelly', for want of a better word. To say the print is stunning is no understatement.

The paper quality and the 'giclee' printing process creates something that could almost fool you into thinking you had the original artwork in your hands. As a former art student I don't make such a comment lightly.

Of course such quality doesn't come cheap. You can find full pricing and ordering details on Chris's website - www.christurnbullart.com

Dave Lumb

Posted October 2008


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BIG BARBEL: BONDED BY THE CHALLENGE
edited by
Bob Church

Five main chapters (by Bob Church, Peter Reading, Guy Robb, Ray Walton and Brian Dowling) make up the bulk of this book. Apart from the Brian Dowling chapter about barbel records - rapidly becoming dated - the book mainly deals with fishing shallow and often clear rivers, focusing on the Great Ouse and the Hampshire rivers.

Church's chapter about the history of the Ouse barbel is interesting for those who like that sort of thing, observed barbel behaviour is covered in some detail by various contributors, and Walton's chapter on rolling meat is a fine introduction to the method.

If you fish the type of rivers dealt with Bonded by the Challenge will be an invaluable read. But as with most books about barbel fishing it's usefulness for those who fish the big rivers is limited.

Dave Lumb

Posted March 2007

BARBEL RIVERS AND CAPTURES
by
The Barbel Catchers Club

Compiled by members of the Barbel Catchers Club, this book comprises 29 chapters each about a specific river (or section of river in a couple of cases). The first part of each river chapter describes the river and the author's approach to fishing it, while the second part (sometimes written by another author) describes the capture of a notable barbel. There are also chapters about baits and the future of barbel fishing, plus a list of the BCC river best barbel.

Published in 2004 some of the information is a little out of date, but the fundamentals will always apply. Some chapters go into more detail than others, however, the book is still highly informative and a good read, especially for someone thinking of trying a river they haven't fished before. Anyone new to barbel fishing will also find the book useful as you are not given just one angler's view of how to catch barbel in one or two rivers.

Dave Lumb

Posted March 2007

QUEST FOR BARBEL
by
Tony Miles and Trefor West

Considered by many to be a barbel angling bible. The authors detail their approach to barbel fishing, primarily on the smaller rivers such as the Wensum, Cherwell and Bristol Avon. If you fish these sort of rivers the book will be a great investment. If you fish larger rivers, tidal stretches or spate rivers, then it will have less to offer you.

Dave Lumb

Posted March 2007

BARBEL: OBSESSION
by
Steve Stayner

This book is a compilation of Steve Stayner's first three books. And being a self-published limited run is likely to be hard to track down. However it is well worth finding. Although Stayner's writing style is not everyone's cup of tea, and some of his ideas may seem wacky, you do get the impression that everything he writes about has been tried and proved to succeed.

You might not want to follow Stayner to the letter, but if this book does nothing else it will make you think about your barbel fishing.

Dave Lumb

Posted March 2007




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