• You need to be a registered member of Barbel Fishing World to post on these forums. Some of the forums are hidden from non-members. Please refer to the instructions on the ‘Register’ page for details of how to join the new incarnation of BFW...

Fishing for barbel close to a holt

Anthony Pearson

Anthony Pearson

Senior Member
I came across a holt by accident yesterday whilst wading in the river and two otters shot out from six feet away! My question is, will there be any point fishing the drop-off adjacent to this (when the season opens) or will the barbel have already vacated the area for there own safety?
 
I know for sure if pike are about you get a drop off , im sure an otter will show up on the radar even more so.

But as Neil said ..only one way to find out.
 
I suspect there's a holt opposite some pegs where I do well on the wharfe Anthony! They always seem to be swimming about there and often disappear into the bank. The wharfe is a bit wider than the nidd though! Certainly still worth trying I'd say
 
I did think after I'd posted that perhaps the best time to fish would be when the water's coloured. I don't know how good an otter's eyesight is, but if it's not good in such conditions, the fish may move into such an area. Any otter specialists on the site who could clarify this? ;)
 
Not an specialists but i think the otter will win nine times out of ten :(.
If the otters have young your in trouble ..they will practice hunting skills .. catching and killing Barbel . Cannot see Barbel knowing what's going on and getting killed off.

:( Barbel vs otter ..i think Barbel have had their chips.. but who knows .
 
Last edited:
It's illegal to disturb an otters holt but define 'disturb'. I've fished just upstream from holts before. Say 30yds. Caught plenty. They do not effect the fishing. Recently had four fish to 12.7 from a peg with an otter in at that time.
 
On one of my favourite barbel swims on the Wye there is a resident Otter which can be heard most evenings,and seen on occasions during daylight,yet it still produces good catches of barbel.
 
Fred Wilton said:
On one of my favourite barbel swims on the Wye there is a resident Otter which can be heard most evenings,and seen on occasions during daylight,yet it still produces good catches of barbel.
Click to expand...

Must be your bait Mr Wilton! :)
 
The fact that Barbel were caught in the swim shows that they were not spooked by the otter frequently being in the area and although the Wye is a wider river than the river in the original query if the area looks likely to hold Barbel I would give it a go despite the otters.
Julian it's a long time since I was referred to as Mr. and only then by a man in a Blue Uniform.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top