Interview with David: An Experienced Angler on River Severn Barbel Fishing

Our interview with David, one of the regulars on the River Severn Barbel Fishing scene.

Dave, you have a lot of experience fishing for barbel across Bewdley, Stourport, Bridgnorth, and Worcester. What draws you to this river?

The River Severn has always been a favorite spot for me. It flows through stunning rolling hills and is filled with features like riffles, fast glides, deep bends, and islands—perfect barbel holding areas. Enjoying these beautiful surroundings has become a significant part of my angling journey. It’s not always about targeting huge fish; it’s about the overall experience.

What’s your strategy when fishing targeting barbel in the River Severn?

My plan is to cover as much of the river as possible during my trips. There are two main reasons for this: firstly, I’m confident that if a barbel is present in a swim, I’ll get a bite fairly quickly, much like when I’m roaming for winter chub. Secondly, I love exploring this stunning river and always wonder what’s around the next bend.

Can you tell us about the fishing tackle you use?

For barbel, I prefer a minimalistic approach. I am currently using a Drennan Specialist 12ft Barbel Rod with a 2 1/4lb test curve. My reel of choice is a lightweight Daiwa Ninja Match Feeder, loaded with Drennan Supplex Line. My rigs are simple running rigs with long 4-5-foot hook links of 8-10lb line, using a hair-rigged size 8 hook. The long hook link keeps the bait away from the mainline, which might spook the barbel. I've also recently invested in a set of lightweight chest waders, as I'm often fishing in fast-moving waters I've found some of the heavier ones quite awkward to manouver in when the current picks up.

What bait do you find most effective?

I am currently finding success with my stock of Robin Red Carp Pellets. While I mainly use feeders and pellets, or boilie hook baits, I’m confident that even a piece of meat cast in the right swim will attract a barbel, the limits are really your imagination! I fish this on a straight lead, usually around 3oz, depending on the flow. One crucial tip is to use an extender-style stop to secure the meat on the hair if this is what you prefer to use. This prevents the bait from coming off easily due to the fast flow and small chub plucking at it (an issue I've encountered in a few of the slower moving spots along the River Severn).

How long do you wait for a bite before moving to a new spot?

If a bite doesn’t occur within 20-30 minutes, I move to the next likely-looking spot. It’s typical to receive a bite from a river barbel within 10 minutes. The only time I’d switch to feeders and perhaps use a Korum bopper to bait up is if I’m confined to one swim, either because the river is busy or I’m staying in a holiday cottage with river frontage.

What features do you look for in a good fishing swim for barbel?

There are three main features I look for. First, fast oxygenated water, especially if the river is low. This is typically caused by a fast change in depth. Second, creases in the flow, where fast water meets slack water—barbel and other species love these. While creases are my first choice, I also search around the swim by recasting regularly. Lastly, the tail end of the fast flow where the river calms into a steady glide is another great feature. These glides can be excellent for targeting both barbel and chub on the float, but that’s a story for another time.

Any tips for handling barbel after catching them?

When you catch a barbel, make sure to let it recover before releasing it. Barbel fight hard and often exhaust themselves. Hold them with their head facing into the flow and don’t release them until they’re ready to swim away strongly. Sometimes, you might need to rest them in your landing net for a few minutes to regain their strength.

Any final thoughts for those looking to fish the River Severn around Worcestershire?

This area is unmatched in my opinion for barbel fishing. All I can say is good luck to anyone visiting this beautiful river, and don’t forget to enjoy the entire experience, not just the fishing, there's a range of incredible pubs along the banks, particularly between Stourport and Bewdley and nothing beats a post-angling shanty!