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.