Mal Storey, from his Kidderminster tackle shop (tel: 01562 745221), sends us to Trimpley in search of barbel from ‘babies’ to doubles and good ‘rubber-dubs’, where you’ll find plenty of mid-Severn features in the form of fords, islands and bubbling runs. Feeder with caster and hemp the norm, but put a pinch of pellets in every chuck and try a hair-rigged 14mm Halibut pellet, as the big boys cannot resist the temptation. There are good waggler and stick pegs where you can don a bait apron, and if the river is running clear, turn up at around 4.00pm and fish till dark for best results. Some double-figure ‘whiskers’ have been coming out at Severn Stoke below Worcester and those naughty ‘speci-guys’ have been keeping things very quiet … until now that is! Out and out pellet attack is required with 4mm and 6mm micro pellets needed for feed. Winterdyne, downstream of Bewdley, has also been fishing well and prospects look good for the current form to continue. Over to the Maver Larford beat at Stourport, and with tickets at just £3 (£2.50 concessions), chub, barbel and decent roach sport is a ‘must have’ deal. Bronze and red maggots keep things nice and simple, but with millions of perch in the river, take a worm or two … or three or?