Unsung fish

Coarse species such as barbel, chub, perch and pike may not have adipose fins but they are gripping quarry nonetheless

- John Bailey

WILD FISH, those naturally born and bred, are what discerning anglers are really about. Given the present drought of UK salmon and sea-trout and the relative scarcity of wild brownies, anglers are looking for challenges fresh and new. Why, I've wondered, have so many predominately salmonid anglers relished a cast on the cyprinid side? My new companions seem to have loved the skills we employ; the light, responsive tackle we use; the mobility of our approaches; the size, power and beauty of the fish we catch; and the stunning waters we often wade in – no big chairs and tackle trollies for us. As two brothers recently said to me, “Why should we pay two grand a day in Iceland when we can have this much fun at home at a fraction of the cost?” This is the engrossing, white-knuckle stuff I'm talking about.

Touch ledgering and brilliant barbel