BARBEL FISHING - Misty Barbel (Video 176)

[@jonathanbashford3007]

Another stunning fish Mark and worthwhile trip. Nice one !

[@benjones3535]

Recently found this channel, one of the best I've came across, well done!

[@snerper]

Mark, another vid worth waiting for mate, sorry to hear about your dad, you must all be frantic with worry, your poor mum must be absolutely frazzled mate! The trouble is, no one else can help, it's all down to the medics and the care they give, whilst you and your's worry yourselves into the ground! I know this is an old cliche, but he is in the best place as regards his health care, and tell your mum she needs to use this break to have a bit of a rest herself! I recently bought the Marco Cortesi reel I was bidding for on ebay, it's immaculate, but I haven't gotten around to using it yet! Thanks again for the vid, and please mate, try and chill, I know it's not easy but remember what I said about your dad being in the best place for his wellbeing! Try and have a nice Christmas, despite all that's going on in your lives and in the world as a whole! Best regards, Snerper.

[@francolinobasco]

I am glad you went with the Cortesi Snerper, they are a very good budget priced little pin and I own two, one which I obviously use a lot for my barbel and the other for my heavy float fishing work for tench and such.It is a tough one trying to remain calm as everyone in the household has their own way of trying to keep calm or adapting to the stress or indeed at times venting it. Despite being there for mum she is indeed frazzled as you put it and it all weighs very heavy on herself, as it does me, because we both know I have lost a large part of the father I knew and the husband she loves due to the rapid decline in his dementia.

[@davewalker2167]

What a treat to wake up to on a Saturday morning,full of cold due to being on the bank yesterday afternoon/evening woefully unprepared for the dropping temps!! & Yes...I blanked😭 but hey,saw some kingfishers,a few deer & got some great pics of the river as the light was fading. Fantastic capture there chap,just inspires me to get back out there all the more👍 Really sorry to hear your Dad is not fairing to well either,hope things get better for him soon. Looking forward to your next video All the best.

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Dave, it sounds like you had a good time bank side with the wildlife though. We are all pulling for dad, but honestly the dementia side has gone off the edge of a cliff since the covid.

[@thebones]

Once again you prove dedication to one's hobby pays off, ignore the blanks, that was a practice session! Sorry to hear that your father's dementia has progressed so much, I can't offer you any advice but I feel your pain.

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks mate, that is exactly it blanks are a very good grounding and they help us usually learn a bit more about the areas we fish (that they are bloody moody LOL). Yes my father's dementia has got a lot worse and seems more so since the covid too. We have been told it has made many older people impaired cognitively.

[@mrfister1899]

"I won't bore you with the setup" - Fully explains setup haha Nice one Mark ;-) Sorry to hear your dad's still not over the Covid and is still in hospital. Wishing all of you the best.

[@francolinobasco]

LOL true, typical me there. Yes he has had two pneumonia bouts, but they have moved him to a less critical ward today so things look positive there, but his dementia is now terrible and the hospital have asked for him to be assessed as to what care needs he will require. It feels like I have lost the father I once knew, to the dementia,such a cruel disease, however the covid was the very last straw that has apparently pushed the dementia further onward :(

[@mrfister1899]

@@francolinobasco So sorry to hear that. As I commented on another video of yours, I haven't experienced it directly, but I can understand how hard it must be. It's desperately hard seeing our loved ones suffer and it sadly seems to be something a lot of people our age experience. As well as the obvious sadness and frustration it brings, it also brings our own mortality into focus. Something I spend way too much time contemplating. I'm guessing angling gives some respite for you, which I think is a good thing. It's easy to become entirely consumed by the plight of a loved one, to the detriment of your own mental health. Here's hoping you remain as positive as you can be and enjoy life when you get the opportunity. By the way, I would love to have a session on the Loddon. Looks like a perfect place to fish. My local small river (Erewash) doesn't seem to hold the monsters the Loddon seems to have.

[@peterbyford3249]

Superb video again Mark. Thanks so much for cheering us all up and stay safe you and everyone out there who enjoys Mark's videos as much as me

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Peter and thank you for all cheering me up as I have been struggling to reply to comments and dig myself out of a bit of a depressive place currently.

[@joshward9426]

Superb effort mate, fantastic looking barburus-maximus! Super jealous, yet to feel the wrath of such a magnificent fish. Catching a fish is a bonus, sitting admiring the wildlife and surroundings is one of life’s free pleasures. I love fishing the Wensum for both reasons. Tight lines mark, another cracking video.

[@francolinobasco]

Glad you enjoyed it Josh! Yes they put up a fine battle, sometimes a bit too heart in mouth haha. Totally agree regarding the wildlife and scenery I think that is a big part of why we go fishing really.

[@ilovejimrogers]

Never has a video been so welcome in this Covid crazy times! Thank you.

[@francolinobasco]

You are very welcome and I will be glad to see this year gone for the health and stress side of everything.

[@martp9001]

Not masochist Mark it's called dedication. And that beautiful fish is worth every minute of those blank sessions. Well done mate.

[@francolinobasco]

That's true mate dedication is the right word :)

[@harryturner3063]

Another enjoyable video Mark. Fantastic for you to bank such a cracking looking barbel after the three blanks, very well done! You really do love the London and deserve your success on such a difficult river. So very sorry to read the news about your father, a very difficult time for you and your family. Keep safe and keep fishing! I’ve struggled of late on the Warks Avon, like on a lot of rivers the barbel fishing seems to be getting harder. Some anglers up there have told me there are no signal crayfish on the Warks Avon - well I pulled in a massive one a few weeks ago which had managed to hook itself.

[@francolinobasco]

Hey there Harry and thank you, it has not been a good time for any of the family, especially poor dad :(. I hope you are staying well. I had signal crayfish off Stratford stretches a good few years ago, they are certainly there and even though I like to think I have the patience of a saint with them on my rivers which are in some parts infested with the little bar stewards they do annoy the hell out of me, especially the damage that they inflict to the riverine eco system.

[@MojoEU]

Thanks for another engaging video Mark. Great fish once again. I don’t get much time on the bank, due to family commitments, and your videos give me a much needed slice of angling escapism. All the best, Matt.

[@francolinobasco]

You are very welcome Matt and I do hope you can get out during the coming weeks at some point as it is the balance us anglers need to keep our heads in a good place.

[@freakfishing]

Hi mark can’t stop watching your videos during lockdown. Just wondering can you do a video about preparing your birdseed mix. Thanks for your great content. Take care👍🏻🎣

[@davidhaddon2854]

Great vid Mark ,good to see you out fishing especially during this dark time you are going through. Its good you can escape and try to find some kind of solace out on the river you love so much . All the very best wishes David.

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you so much David. It is nice to get out even if like last friday it was only for a couple of hours it makes all the difference, if albeit momentarily.

[@DjDolHaus86]

Certainly worth the wait, well done mate

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks mate, it was a nice prize for the blanks.

[@richardsykes3810]

Awesome to watch the new uploads Mark - brilliant fishing and narration as always. Consistent ability to take your audience to a happy place. Glad to here you are staying positive. Keep em coming 👌

[@francolinobasco]

Glad you enjoyed them Richard!

[@neilpotts2368]

Great video as usual Mark. Family comes first and no need to apologise. Can't beat the small river for a challenge. Hope your dad's on the mend soon.

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Neil. Glad you understand.

[@matthewmiller8048]

Great video. Barn owls and barbel... Glad to see its not just me who blank's

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Matthew! Nothing wrong with blanks always remember that, because as long as you learn from them and can take some positives it really was not as bad trip as it might have felt.

[@paulhampson8496]

top vedio pal

[@1000000trs]

Fabulous looking fish Mark. Super catch.

[@francolinobasco]

Many thanks Tim, it was in perfect condition aside from the slight eye issue one side.

[@alycidon12]

MEISTER....Magnificent creature Mark. Nice like you say to land a specimen after the blanks. Regards IAN

[@francolinobasco]

Why thank you Ian!

[@Rob-zq8sy]

Another cracking fish Mark. Tbh have always been surprised at how open you are with swim ID some people will always let someone else do the hard work.

[@fredphillips8386]

Very enjoyable video mark, hope to see more soon. Really do have my fingers crossed for your dad and hope he recovers soon mate. Best wishes, Fred

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Freddo. Same here mate but you probably know more than most due to our chats how bad things are :(

[@fredphillips8386]

@@francolinobasco indeed mate I certainly do. Try and stay as positive as you can and do what we said, it will help a lot imo

[@gerhoefsmit8015]

Nice video as always Mark, thank you very much for sharing your adventures.

[@francolinobasco]

My pleasure!

[@jonroy1976]

Lovely video, we could all go on a comercial and pull out one after another but nothing beats that feeling of searching out a wild fish, cannot wait for the next installments 👍

[@francolinobasco]

Couldn't agree more Jon! Don't want anyone to misunderstand me as commercials do have their place, but it simply is not the same level of enjoyment for me.

[@jonroy1976]

@@francolinobasco 👍

[@neilsmith7547]

Glad to see you back mark. Beautiful barbel. Keep up the brilliant videos mark. Hope you're dad is ok. 🙂🙂

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you, I will try Neil, hopefully more videos very soon, dad is pulling through by the looks of things but his dementia has become worse and this is what we were told to expect due to the virus, we were told he won't recover from it becoming worse.

[@Pauljay65]

Another good one to the list blanks makes us appreciate the ones we do put on the bank just being out with nature is enough sometimes owls 🦉 wow 👌🏻

[@francolinobasco]

Great point Paul!

[@eric41140]

Hello, another great adventure in such a difficult period! see you soon!

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Eric! Thank you!

[@marklambert2573]

Excellent video. Great fish and appreciate the honesty, makes me feel better about my blanks. Hope thing improve with your dad.

[@francolinobasco]

You're very welcome Mark. Nothing wrong in blanks, there is however in hiding them like some do!

[@papapete966]

Just read ur post , so I’m sooty I didn’t read ur post first. So fingers crossed mark

[@francolinobasco]

That's ok Peter, it is easy to miss the description box at times.

[@esppaul644]

The harder the fishing the greater the reward, top angling mark

[@francolinobasco]

Very true Paul and the better it tempers an anglers outlook and understanding.

[@deanmills9161]

Thanks Mark good to c u struggling like me. My river has been very hard of late still haven’t used my landing net for weeks. Great vid cheers 👍🎣

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Dean. I like to keep it real no point hiding blank trips as thats just terribly fake, but it goes on in this socially media driven worl of youtube.

[@captainfrank01]

Lovely fish Mark, well done! Sorry to hear about your Dad, the UK is having a really bad run - we are so lucky in Australia, seem to be on top of it now and very few new cases. Hopefully the vaccine will turn things around for you soon.

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks El Capitan! Yes it has been a bit of a poor show in the UK really and handled badly in my opinion mate.

[@blondie853]

Well done Mark.Great video as allways.Tight lines.

[@francolinobasco]

Glad you like them Steve!

[@456graper]

Gotta love the pin!! Lovely looking barbel Mark 👍 Can't wait to hold one again soon

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Graham, I am aching to get back out, just 2 hours lure fishing since the other week and can't say it is doing my mind any good being stuck indoors currently :(

[@456graper]

@@francolinobasco Can imagine mate. Best to keep a little busy to give something else to think about and nothing better than a spot of fishing.

[@thepiscatorsjournal]

What a fish! worth all the effort no doubt 👍

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Ralph and worth every moment for crayfish annoyance lol :D

[@jedishawry]

Excellent video, thanks Mark 😎👍🙂

[@francolinobasco]

Very welcome Stuart :)

[@larryroberts1844]

Well in there Mark best wishes to your dad and family stay safe 👍

[@francolinobasco]

Hey there Larry! Cheers my man and the same to yourself and indeed family.

[@longnetter]

Another excellent video and barbel mate well done 👌.

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Mr Smith, glad you enjoyed the vlog, it was nice to get one after the blanks.

[@leejones7575]

Another good video mate 💯💯💯

[@francolinobasco]

Glad you enjoyed it Lee :D

[@itsgottabecarpy3994]

Quality vid as usual mate👍👍

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Baz :D

[@keyo525]

What animal sound at 10.28 always hear that at night in the back garden and sends the dog crackers ha. Good fish btw.

[@francolinobasco]

That is a Tawny Owl, male and female calling to each other, pairing up for winter to mate and have the chicks making ready for next Spring.

[@keyo525]

@@francolinobasco Thanks always wondered .

[@eldoncollins7254]

Best regards to your Father Mark.

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Eldon, I am afraid things are not looking great in that regard. The covid side is looking more positive and I have a float fishing video talking about him catching the virus and what went on due to be released, but he has been in hospital for 8 weeks now and his dementia has become so much worse, we were told the covid can do this to people with dementia. It is now impossible to have a chat where he does not mention that he is waiting at a train station, or telling us he has been playing cricket and also having hallucinations due to the Lewy body dementia accelerating. As such emotions are running very high in the household.Yesterday was not a good day in the house to say the least.

[@darrenwright5727]

Hi Mark , have you ever fished the River Lea ? Im a member of the Kings Weir section . Hard going but exceptional fish in there .

[@francolinobasco]

Hello there Darren, no I have not fished the Kings weir section however Both myself and Andrew Tredgett are fairly good online friends.

[@rayhensford8157]

top angling top video thanks mark

[@francolinobasco]

Thanks Ray. Cheers for watching there will be a few regular videos dropping very soon.

[@DaveAyton8565]

Well done Mark cracking volg nice 10lb 1oz Barbel i understand what you mean about giving your swims away i have made the very same mistake via. Facebook i could tell you some right horror stories but we all learn by our mistakes you do all the leg work for some people to follow you on social media to nick all your hard work putting the hours and expense and the BS anyway enough of me keep volging Mark.

[@francolinobasco]

Thank you Dave nd yes it can be a double edged sword and has to be balanced carefully giving out too much location information. Admittedly I make videos and fully expect people to watch them and some of those viewers to try and find said locations, it comes with the territory. However some people take it too far that has included people over the years sending me photos of spots and swims to tell me they have found this spot and that. When in reality they would have learned a lot more inputting that time into simply just fishing.

[@papapete966]

Hi Mark where you been m8, hope all ok

[@francolinobasco]

Things have not been too good here with my father still in hospital with the Covid which he caught from the hospital ward Peter, during the 8 weeks he's been in there his dementia has gone even further down hill. It has not been easy for us as a family and hard for me to set time aside in my head to concentrate on the video editing, but I am now trying to get some videos edited. I am very sorry for the delays.

[@Kevin-rh5li]

Top angling Mark.

[@francolinobasco]

Cheers Kevin :)

[@papapete966]

Your face is saying you have lost weight?

[@francolinobasco]

I have but also put some back on Peter :(