During the last decade, throughout England and elsewhere, barbel have become substantially larger and heavier and the number of rivers with significant barbel populations has grown in number. This dramatic change has been accompanied by a substantial increase in the popularity of barbel angling as well as revolutionary changes in fishing methods, baits, rigs, and tactics. It was against this background that Bob Church, one of Britain's foremost and best-known anglers, decided to invite four remarkable barbel specialists, Peter Reading, Guy Robb, Ray Walton, and Brian Dowling, to join him in writing this book.