Barbel Days

A lifelong angler shares unforgettable encounters with the river’s most elusive roach and barbel.

For Colin Woods, fishing isn’t a hobby – it’s a lifetime’s obsession. After decades spent pursuing the legendary roach and barbel of southern England, he has come to know the Hampshire Avon like an old friend. Retirement has only deepened that connection. Living just a short drive from its banks, he has landed double-figure fish in quiet, unfished corners that many anglers walk straight past.

In this new book, Colin reflects on his most memorable days with rod, line and river, bringing readers into the world of swirling currents, delicate presentations and heart-pounding runs from those golden, hard-fighting giants. He also celebrates the many skilled anglers he has met along the way – a community bound by patience, passion and a shared respect for the water.

For anyone who lives for the pull of a barbel, the shimmer of a big roach in the net, or the calm of a misty dawn on the riverbank, this is a warm, insightful read.

And if you’ve ever thought about writing your own fishing memoir, river-bank tales, or specimen-hunting adventures, Mereo Books is always on the lookout for dedicated anglers with stories to tell. Your next chapter could start here.