Big Barbel Challenge | James Denison | Drennan Specialist

James Denison is a barbel fanatic. Not being shy of a challenge, James is undertaking a mammoth quest to catch a double figure barbel from 40 different rivers. This will see him cover from whole of the England, including rivers in Wales and Scotland. Did we mention that he is half-way already? No doubt we'll be getting out with James in the future and covering a few of his adventures.
All rivers have unique challenges and this occasion he visits the River Wye, where catching fish isn't necessarily the hard part, but catching a double -figure fish remains difficult.
#drennaninternational #drennanspecialist #barbelfishing

[@AQUApd1]

Brilliant video. Some cracking fish pulled in there. But above all enjoyed the way it was filmed and edited.

[@kennypartridge1853]

Enjoyed this one. I really like the format Drennan Specialist and ESP use for their videos. Nice change from the over the top films most other brands do. I really think (and I think I'm not alone here), Drennan really need to get on board with re-releasing rods in the 1.75 and 2.0 + Test curve rods. For one of the original brands to cater for the big fish and all rounder, its a shame to see other brands leading the way. If brands like Guru and Sonic produce new gear for us, I think Drennan really need to up their game as the original, and best brand. On a more positive note, I do like the design of that hoodie, and hopefully we will see a speci-size triangle net again within the prestigious Drennan Specialist range, which has been absent, like the stronger rods for way too long. Keep bringing the awesome films, and maybe some feature length ones like the carp boys get, now that would be fantastic. 👍🏻🎣🔥🇬🇧

[@danielgrant5800]

I'm positive that's a new rod he is using, I'm sure the eyes on the twin tip duos are bigger unless he's had them re rung?? Would like to see a new barbel rod released by drennan

[@kennypartridge1853]

@danielgrant5800 I didn't look close enough to be fair. I hope you're right, and it's a new rod he's testing for production. Whether it's a 'Barbel' (Avon style) rod, or a twin tip with different actions, one for bite detection on rivers, and one for stillwater use, but in the higher tests, I think either would be well received. It would also be nice to see a 14 and 15ft waggler rod for stick float fishing for Barbel and Chub. The Acolytes are far too soft for the job on big rivers.

[@DrennanTackleTV]

Lots coming on that front - you won’t be disappointed next year 👍🏻

[@waynenippard5933]

Blimey, that is a real challenge both in terms of fishing and time restraints. Respect for taking it on and good luck. Be interesting to see how long it takes.

[@grahamedwards2832]

Great video James, good luck for a future Wye double

[@James_Denison]

Thanks Graham, I hope you are well and the Taff and Wye is treating you kindly.

[@09daveaz]

Good stuff👍 The Wye looks a really peaceful place

[@stevehodges4092]

Great video James I am sure you will get a Wye double soon.

[@Tommeertens24858]

Awesome video 👏👏👏

[@andyh9030]

Quality mate 👌 I'd be happy with just one of those 😂

[@craigwheldrake1038]

Great video as always. Is the grey Drennan specialist hoodie that James is wearing available to buy?

[@rorysmith6074]

Quality video, Would like to know the gear used, as a avid user of drennan specialist gear can’t say I own one of those rods so excited to see what there about! Top angler, quality gear 👍🏻 good luck all!

[@aaroneccles1122]

I’m wanting to know what rod he was using too. The twin tip duo 1.5 just isn’t up to the job on my local river.

[@samwhite3094]

good luck pulling that off on the soar

[@GillmanStudio]

A double from the River Exe? Devon? now there's a challenge. Its been done ;)

[@James_Denison]

I have to be honest I have heard of the odd Barbel in the Exe but that would be an almighty challenge. Can't be many in there!

[@specimenanglers3638]

Get some bigger baits on! Guaranteed to pick the bigger ones out! Great video tho 👌🏻

[@King-Fishing-Navsar-masi]

Başarılar bol şans✨️✨️👍👍👍👍

[@MichaelLutt]

Hi mate did u fish the river Colne at all . Very underrated and holds high doubles

[@James_Denison]

I did fish the Colne, spent one winter scratching around for a bite (1x Barbel of 7lb+), during the closed season I did some more research and tried another section and within 3 trips of the new season I'd managed an 8.13 and then an 11.7, job done!

[@MichaelLutt]

@James_Denison lovely james top fishing fella 👌 . May I ask what stretches you fished . As I fish Uxbridge to farlows. Had some beauty's end of last season. Don't know why but I've learned that the Colne fishes much better February n March

[@James_Denison]

@@MichaelLutt I fished right down by Heathrow, very few fish around that I could tell and only saw 5 Barbel, 3 of which I caught. Pretty baron. I briefly fished higher up a few years ago before I started my 40 Rivers Challenge where I had some sub-10's but decided to fish much further down as parking was decent the stretch was free to fish and mins from the M25 so quick to get home.

[@mikegoldbey6186]

Great video James and Drennan. Would it be possible to get info on what gear you were using also. Is that a new folding specialist landing net and if so when will it be available?

[@DrennanTackleTV]

New barbel rods and nets coming next year. James Denison, Dan Woolcott and Simon Ashton amongst others have been testing them 👍🏻

[@James_Denison]

Thanks Mike, really appreciate it. The rods are out now and the nets should be out later this year, watch this space.

[@tomhumphs_angling]

The goat

[@robholt8333]

I hope he tries the Welsh Dee. They are in there and big but they are very rare!

[@James_Denison]

I have been doing some research on the Dee of late and yes there are a couple of areas that are reputed to hold them but as you say very few where they are present, maybe it's a task later down the line. The Dee for me is 4hr 30min each way, so it's not a trip to undertake on a whim, more research to be done!

[@peterhodgkinson8121]

2.30 in is that the river tame stockport harrison weir ?

[@James_Denison]

It certainly is, sat in that spray should come with a health warning 🤣

[@martinoxley2759]

Great video mate, where's the pins 😊

[@James_Denison]

Yes, for the close quarters stuff they make an appearance, on the Wye I tend to use fixed spools, even if it they don't look as good, only so far I can Wallace cast!

[@artificialflight1942]

A double within 45 minutes of arrival you say? I don't believe that for a second. GB. Ps...Great video mate!

[@DrennanTackleTV]

Some rivers can have high chance of each fish being a double and James has struck gold on a few very quickly. Other times you can get stuck and put through the ringer!

[@James_Denison]

I'm a jammy bugger GB as you well know, was great to share that moment with ya and the chub weren't bad either. Hope you are well !

[@JustAnotherThisDJ]

Wear used to have some mad barbel

[@anthonyfoster8069]

Gear list, please!

[@paulgregory2601]

Well done, fantastic video

[@stephenparker8562]

Try the river tees

[@James_Denison]

I have done some looking into the Tees and should hopefully find myself up there next season at some point. Fingers crossed!

[@stephendickinson3608]

more please !!!👌👍

[@AdamsAnglingTv]

Awsome film loved to do some River barbel fishing 🎣 nice fish

[@diamondfirefoxdff8185]

Awesome 👌👏 Great video from all involved 👍

[@RoveWithTom]

Love this approach. Fished alot of rivers up in North Yorkshire and found some brilliant spots. Moving back down to London has proven difficult with many blanks but the chase to find Barbel never changes

[@eldoncollins7254]

13.50 Nice hoody.

[@thebarbelproject]

Awesome video, enjoyed this 1 james 👍🏻 good luck with the challenge

[@kennypartridge1853]

Hey up Connor 💪🏻👍🏻

[@James_Denison]

Cheers Connor 🤌

[@scottmorley9173]

Was this on the new barbel rods?

[@DrennanTackleTV]

It was indeed. James has been testing them for over 12months.

[@scottmorley9173]

@@DrennanTackleTV they look good, ordered the 2.25 on Friday :)

[@martinthepom]

Good stuff James.

[@davidatkin6597]

It's a decent film but it would be nice to see river specialist films shot on other stretches of different rivers. Drennan must have shot a dozen films on the same old stretch of the Wye by now....after all it's supposed to be a 40 river challenge!! Looking forward to a new range of Barbel rods, it's been a long time waiting.

[@DrennanTackleTV]

Hi David, James had never been so he gave it crack despite the water really coming through. The Wye is just one step along the way for James, and point noted that you want more coverage of barbel from other rivers 👍🏻 We have Acolyte Specimen Float rods launching next week, and then some very nice yet powerful barbel rods coming in the spring. Plenty of other Specialist content to come on a range of species.

[@kennypartridge1853]

@@DrennanTackleTV now that's what we ALL want to hear. 👍🏻

[@DrennanTackleTV]

There is also the issue that at many rivers the action is all in the dark and thus no good to film!

[@kennypartridge1853]

@@DrennanTackleTV I meant the rods. 💪🏻🎣🔥

[@DrennanTackleTV]

@@kennypartridge1853 👍👍

[@bradleyd1967]

*Not finished watching* But really interested in seeing the Scottish double hunt! As i believe the river Clyde is the exclusive barbel river of Scotland. I have had a few sessions this year but due to working away nothing too prolific. But a change of job & nights in my own bed guaranteed the hunt for my very own River Clyde Barbel awaits! Doubles aren't unheard of. There was a recent capture of a 14 10oz i believe barbel on a fly.

[@richarddenison5345]

Me too i stay by the clyde and ill be joining james on the trip

[@James_Denison]

I was supposed to go up this spring but work was so busy I couldn't get enough time together to make the journey up. I've done quite a bit of research and know there aren't many areas on the Clyde the Barbel reside, but that target of a 10lb+ specimen may be even harder to achieve. But certainly going to give it a go.

[@piscatorialquagswagging]

If there was ever an angler to complete the 40 river double figure my money would always been on James !! Enjoyed that !!