My Day with Graham Elliott

My day at the River Kennet with Graham Elliott

I was of the lucky ones who won a day with Graham Elliott on the 'James Farrow' memorial auction. I am happy to see the money going to such a good cause.

For weeks I was looking forward to the day, yet I was also very nervous to say the least. What if I should make a total numpty of myself, and make a mess of everything I have learnt in the past 2 years since I started fishing, what if I forget to pack half of the gear I need? What bait shall I take, hook size, mainline etc...well, you know all the questions when fishing a new venue.

The weather forecast for Wednesday wasn't ideal for barbel fishing in my opinion, bright sunshine and high temperature but I wasn't worried too much, my main intentions were more in learning about watercraft, what to look for in a potential barbel swim, rigs, baits etc.....catching a whiskers would only be a bonus.

I finally met up with Graham on Wednesday 10am and after a quick introduction we took a walk along the Kennet where Graham's excellent reputation as a guide and tutor were soon to be proven once more.

After a short walk along the river, I had my first lesson in watercraft, Graham pointed out a few potential barbel swims with superb explanation why.

We settled in our first swim, the water was slightly coloured and the flow was a steady pace. Here I had my second lesson in rigs, bait and where the barbel more than likely would 'hang out'.
Even with intense lesson of underarm casting I did not manage to place the feeder where it should have been, so my tutor had to come to my rescue.

Our first swim


View to the right


One very brave man (putting up with me for a day)


Although I had a couple of positive knocks on my rod, the fish weren't interested in feeding, so after an hour or so Graham suggested we move on to another swim.

After a quick bit of banter with a few other anglers who haven't had any luck either, Graham suggested to fish the weir for a couple of hours, even though the guys who were fishing there before didn't have any luck.

We set up about around 50-75 yards downstream from the weir and Graham did the first cast(right to the opposite bank) for me to show me exactly where to place the bait.

Needless to say my thoughts at that moment..well, it was something like;” how on earth am I going get to that spot?”, the opposite bank looked 100 miles away.

Here it came to show that this man lives up to his excellent reputation.....not long after his superb cast I had a very positive knock and the rod bend right over.
I picked up the rod and started reeling in like my life depended on it as I wasn't allowed to give the fish any slack to stop it from speeding downstream behind an island. In no time I managed to guide the fish over the gravel bar and through the weed patch.

Here the result, my first Kennet barbel 7lb 3oz
.

I was determined to cast myself this time trying to get it as close to the opposite bank as I could,and after two attempts I managed to place the bait spot on which resulted in another whiskers of 6lb which decided to head straight in to a snag on the edge of the island.

I must admit I was lost and wasn't sure what to do and yet again Graham came to my rescue, walking the rod on to the weir bridge so he was in a straight line with the fish, he gently guided the fish out of the snag, handed the rod over to me and let me do the honours of guiding the fish back to our swim.

The cheeky whiskers


I was determined to try for another one all on my own...so out it went another cast to the same spot, whilst Graham took a little dabble in the swim next to me.

I was sorry to interrupt his 5 minutes peace but I was yet again in to another fish and this time it felt like a good one. Again I had to guide the fish over the gravel bar, through the weed patch and soon Graham had the net under the fish, which didn't look that big from where I stood but the smile on Graham's face told me that this was a better sized one. Once he lifted the blighter on to the mat I realized that this might be a double figure one.
Some sneaky pictures taken by Graham whilst I was fighting with a monster



My dream came true, a very pretty 10lb 14oz girl


I jumped of joy and a big thank you hug for Graham was in order as I really couldn't have done it without his knowledge of the river and excellent guidance.
(I think the hug made him blush though lol)

The tutor is pleased with his student


But the day wasn't over yet, Graham was determined to show me more of the beautiful river Kennet and we move further upstream, past the weir.
Talk about dedication to his customers, my lovely tutor wanted to see if I can catch a nice chub and beat my present PB of 4lb4oz.

Another swim was chosen and the decision was made to fish it for about 1-2 hrs, also to give us a chance to chill and relax before taking a long walk back.

The swim proved not to be very productive however, I guess the bright sunshine and high temperature didn't help, so after about 1.5-2hrs Graham suddenly told me to bring my rod in and to leave it on the rest...he then took me to a swim a little bit further downstream and with a swift underarm swing he placed the feeder of his rod about 5 yards to my left, about 10 inch in front of an overhanging bush. I then had my orders to watch the rod like a hawk whilst Graham went back to collect our gear.

Great I thought this wasn't a swim, it was more like a jungle, overhanging trees, bushes, weed, nettles(ouch) what if I get a bite...no room to strike.

The chub stalking swim


I sat down in the nettles and didn't take my eyes of the quiver tip which indicated little trembles, crayfish so I was told before by Graham, so I ignored it and kept staring at the rod tip.
First positive knock.....not yet I thought to myself, then a second knock which put a good bend in to the tip so I picked up the rod lifted it up (the only way to go), just to find that I missed the bite.

This happened twice, those cheeky chub were playing games with me, Graham must have found this very amusing, as I was sulking like a spoilt brat.

The fish were there so Graham decided on one last swift underarm cast to be sure the bait was placed accurately on the spot....again I sat down and kept my eyes glued to the rod tip, again the rod tip indicated a couple of small knocks ...”those chub a sucking on the bait” I heard Graham saying, not yet girl, wait for the rod tip bending right over.....”yes Daddy” was my cheeky reply....I sat and waited and waited and suddenly BANG!!!! I managed to connect with the fish, suddenly I broke out in sweat, how on earth do I manage to keep the fish out of the snag, the swim was surrounded by them, bushes to the right, overhanging tree to the left in a very tight swim.

My only thought was that I'm NOT going to lose this one and somehow I managed to guide the fish in to the net.

A superb looking chub of 3lb 8oz, not a new PB but never the less, a beautiful fish to end the day with.

I think Graham was happy to end the day with his cheeky student

Please can we go home now?


I would like to say a massive Thank You to Graham, a true gentleman and an excellent guide and tutor. I have learnt a great deal about barbel and watercraft from this great man.
If anyone one would like to book a guide to fish the Kennet....Graham is certainly the person for it.....I can highly recommend his service, he is a chap who WILL show you how to catch those whiskers. He taught me, so if I can do it, everybody can.

Thanks Graham, you a star for giving me such a memorable day.

an excellent report claudia,well done on catching those super fish

tt what a great day you had barbel catching with Graham, such a brilliant report, so interesting.. weldone girl for doing so well...

Graham Elliott spent a day with you fishing,poor man.Bet it was a long,long day for him


Joking aside,sounds and looks like you had a great day and I should think Graham Elliott enjoyed the day just as much as you,TT........Well done

Brilliant report and WHAT a day you must have been on cloud nine, I know I would have been.

BRILLIANT is the only other thing I can say about your report and the fish you caught !!!