Barbel - A Lifetimes Addiction by Trefor West

For many years carp and pike were the most popular fish, today barbel are as popular. Without the barbel which are today's fashion fish many of our rivers would be virtually deserted. The sport of barbel fishing has now spawned several barbel fishing groups. In angling there are several characters, and without doubt one of the nicest guys is Trefor West of Coventry. His book Barbel - A Lifetimes Addiction having just been published.

I first met Trefor back in the early 1980's when we were both hunting the big chub on the River Wensum. In those days our target fish were five pound plus fish, but a big four was considered a worthy capture. How times have changed. Today we are seeking six pounders with the hope of perhaps hooking into a seven. I was lucky in those far off days catching my share of five pound plus chub with my first six pounder from the Wensum on cheese smeared bread.Certainly a rare fish in those days.

Trefor always came across as a guy with not only vast knowledge of chub but also barbel and other fish. He always had a warm welcome and sound advice. Like me his love was catching fish above the average weight for the river or lake. Trefor was a guy who called a spade, a spade. He is often considered outspoken. Not in my book. We all have our opinions, that others might not agree with but that's life. I have always admired the man for getting up and saying what he thinks is right. I've never been able to argue with him, as he talks a lot of commonsense and his fishing skills are legendary. This legend is also good at passing on his skills to other through practical lessons at the waters edge or through his writings.

Trefor's first love in life was soccer, as a promising young player he signed for the "Baggies" otherwise known as West Bromwich Albion. It was during a match against Preston North End that Trevor was carried off with a bad injury, an Achilles tendon was ripped to shreds so ended a promising career for this likeable young man.

This likeable young smooth guy met the love of his life, lovely Kath on a railway station. Like many of us when we were young and suave Trefor spotted a pretty girl struggling with her suitcase. As many of us have done he said "Can I carry your suitcase love" Kath fell for the charm from the jovial Trefor. What girl wouldn't have done so.

There are many good chapters in Barbel - A Lifetimes Addiction, Its difficult to pick out just one or two. though I did find chapter 2 titled The Annual Barbel Conference very amusing. Its not what your thinking. the author has put himself in the river with the barbel. Its hilarious. Another chapter is titled A Day Off Work especially the story about 'Lucky' Chapter 18 Irrelevant Ramblings will certainly bring a smile to your face, more so when you read about the food thief. Chapter 22 I Have A Dream where he writes down his thoughts about the future. Me I have always admired BASC British Shooting and Conservation Association that caters for all shooters. We need a similar organisation in angling. Let's scrap all the different angling organisations and have one body to cover all aspects of our sport. Yes it will cost us some money, but no more than a few pints of beer plus some bags of boilies and pellets

The author writes we need a business man or woman at the top being paid a hundred thousand pounds a year with all the perks. Pay peanuts, we will get monkeys. The man writes from the heart and uses his brain Its very hard to disagree with the guy. Barbel - A Lifetimes Addiction by Trefor West will cost you just £30-00 plus £6-00 P&P from Trefor West 10 Woodhouse Close Binley Coventry CV3 2GN Not only will you learn a lot about barbel fishing and how to catch them, but you will feel your at the waterside with Trefor. Your guaranteed to learn something have a good laugh and lets be honest fishing is all about having fun. Well done Trefor for a good read and sharing part of your life with so many of us.