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P a g e | 5 The rest of the day passed as others had, with only chub to show for my efforts. I was very pleased to have caught a barbel, but also disappointed that it was the only one. Still, I had found somewhere that I knew contained barbel and it was down to me to find a way of catching them. Next session found me in the same swim, using the same tactics that had produced that first fish. It was during this session and whilst waiting for a bite that my mind was wandering (as it does, must be my age) and I thought that The drilled pellets lasted quite a while on the maybe, because I was feeding a lot of 6mm hair and stayed useable for several casts. I used pellets through the feeder, the fish had become preoccupied on the smaller pellets. I had seen this method exclusively on that stretch from carp do this on small baits, such as hemp, in the then on and, although I never repeated that days results, I did have some very good days on past. I decided to try something different. it. Eventually though, as is the way, the more Using a thin bait drill, I set about drilling holes successful a method is the quicker the fish wise through some 6mm pellets. After trying on up; but I had two fantastic seasons on small perhaps twenty-five pellets, I had six with holes drilled pellets and was more than satisfied. through them (this process did get easier with Although I tried other methods of fixing the practice) and these were threaded onto a hair of pellets to the hair, I never found one that I was 4lb’s breaking strain. The hair was then tied to a happier with than drilling them. In fact, I used to size 12, Mustad, eyed, barbed hook. I like these sit watching television whilst drilling pellets. I hooks as they are very strong and also cheap, at found that high oil pellets were the best to drill less than £1 for ten at that time (my Dad was and that they also last longer in the water. I now from Yorkshire and something must have keep these in a box for hook baits only. It is a rubbed off on me). The hook length was still method that I still use sometimes and, no matter 12lb sensor, but I also decided to open out some where I am fishing, it often works as long as the of the holes in the feeder and tape over the rest water has seen plenty of small pellets - but like with insulating tape to try to avoid pellets all methods, it is not magic and sometimes I fail coming out on the drop to the riverbed. First to catch on it. cast in with this method produced a savage bite I have tried using artificial pellets, and caught on and a barbel, second cast the same…my hands them, but due to using a light hair found that I were shaking as I drilled other 6mm pellets was losing too many through the hair breaking. whilst waiting for a bite. Another reason I prefer to use real pellets over That day produced twelve barbel, six of artificial is that I am sure the fish can tell the which were double figure fish. I will not difference. It may be down to the colour bore you with the sizes of each fish (as bleaching out of the free offerings and the hook bait simultaneously, with the end result that this piece is probably boring enough), it is both end up looking the same pale colour - enough to say it was, and still is, my best whereas the artificial baits obviously do not lose ever session as far as big fish go. any colour.