I took (and passed) my test for a German fishing license, which requires 30 hours of classroom time. It was good for me, not only to understand the law, but to learn more about fishes that I never caught on the other side of the Atlantic in my native North Carolina.

The instructor told me that a Barbel was an extremely strong fish, and that other than a disdain for jumping, would absolutely put a trout of the same size to shame with regards to fighting ability.

Any advice on how to catch one on a fly? A nymph?

There is a spot near where you are located where people flyfish for Barbel
with nymphs (scud patterns).
The river in question is the Lippe, never fished there but I have seen reports
on Barbelfishing from that location.

Thanks!

I would assume a 5 weight would be about right?

The author (Thorsten Rühl) of the article on flyfishing for Barbel in the Lippe river mentionend
that in his opinion an eight weight rod was in place due to the size of the barbel at the location he fished.
I have put a link to that article (in German) below:

http://www.flyfisher-niederrhein.de/barbenfischen.htm

Thanks for sharing that link - that barbel is certainly putting a nice bend in that 8 wgt.

Grayling bugs are good for Barbel. I have caught Barbel(accidentaly) whilst Grayling fishing on shrimp patterns and Hares Ear Gold heads.

A friend caught in Spain on a sparkle pheasant tail.

Hi Grant,

Have a look at

http://www.finandfly.com/articles/Vi...cle.php?aid=56

http://www.fishing.co.uk/article.php3?id=184

http://barbe-rousse.gobages.net/inde...=151&blogId=32

Also, have a read through the follwing old threads, there is quite a bit of information on there

http://www.finandfly.com/articles/Vi...cle.php?aid=56

Barbel on fly?

you could join the http://www.thebarbelsociety.co.uk I'm sure you will find it value for money, the magazine is excellent!

Barbel on a fly?

I'd have never even considered it! Being mostly a course angler I know a bit about the ol Barbel but this is a first for me.

What I will say is they are very strong and never give up. Strong tackle is advised if you intend to get them out. They grow up to 15lb and beyone where I'm from although I doubt you'd catch anything that size on a fly.

I think you'd struggle to land even an average size barbel on anything less than salmon or pike fly gear. Very, very powerful and are rarely caught below 4 or 5lbs. 6-8lb being more like the average on most English rivers.

I caught one about 5-6lb years ago from the Swale. I hadn't set out for Barbel but the opportunity presented itself so decided to have a go. First cast on a little black bug. It took a while to land, and luckily it didn't take off downstream through the shallows.
One of the dangers of catching them on light gear is that they'll fight till exhausted. A fish returned quickly is liable to belly up 50yards downstream, be prepared to spend a long time supporting them in the water until they regain enough strength to swim away strongly.