Steve Pope Barbel Fishing

End of The Road.

Time waits for no man and it saddens me to say it but it’s definitely caught up with me.

Since I started taking people out more than fifteen years ago, I have had the great pleasure to meet up with so many wonderful people, lots of whom have become good friends.

We’ve visited the Kennet, Teme, Severn, Wye and The Trent, lots of barbel were caught, many hundreds of doubles and countless personal bests, it’s been an amazing journey.

The stories would fill a book, memories made that will last forever.

All good things always come to an end though and I’m happy to be going out on a high as it were.

There are a number of reasons why I have come to this decision.

The driving has become a major factor, especially in the dark, it’s become unpleasant at best, potentially dangerous at worst! Driving home tired on the A49 with artics kissing my bumper is not ideal and then there’s the tractors who really do have their own set of rules, it really does become a highway to hell.

The rivers and venues I fish have become very unpredictable, the pollution gets worse and with a noticeably smaller population of barbel it all means there’s no guarantee we will catch and on a guiding day catching fish really is essential.

Then there’s my health!

I may look forty five ( in my dreams) but truth is I’m seventy five and these days I’m feeling it!

A guide day is twelve hours and I had to be one hundred percent from the moment I met someone till the time we said goodbye, it was quite draining but I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute.

Today I know I haven’t the mental or physical capacity to give it my all and anything less is not good enough so the decision kind of makes itself.

My own fishing is totally focused on my local water where I have already enjoyed success and hopefully there’s more to come.

Not far to drive, comfortable fishing in the style that I enjoy above all others and the possibility of a Severn personal best.

I’m also hoping to use the extra time at my disposal to put my book together, something I’ve been meaning to do for ages.

So I’ll be keeping busy just in a different way.

I’ll end this piece by giving my sincerest thanks to everyone who has been out with me and I hope you’re still catching plenty of majestic barbel and most importantly enjoying every second.

All the best to you all.

Steve