THE BEST FISH YOU’VE LANDED THIS WEEK
“I GAZED AT IT IN AWE!”
Roger Carswell – 7lb 12oz chub
“I LOVE catching chub at the back end of the season. They can usually be relied on to provide sport even when conditions are icy cold. Plus, there’s always the chance of a big one putting in an appearance.
“Earlier in the week I enjoyed some decent sport on the Severn, topped by a nice 6lb 8oz fish. I returned a few days later, armed with some well-matured cheesepaste, a light quivertip rod, 8lb mainline and a size 2 hook, around which I moulded a golf ball-sized piece of paste.
“After missing two tentative plucks, I made contact at the third attempt and landed a two-pounder. Things then went dead, the sun was going down and the brisk wind developed a definite chill.
“My next bite was just a small tug, but I struck instantaneously. The rod bent healthily as another chub tried to bury itself in the bankside undergrowth. But this one was special.
“A couple of tense moments passed before I drew it to the landing net and gazed in awe at the magnificent silver beast that glared back at me. Weighing 7lb 12oz, it was a very special Severn fish.”
“IT LEFT ME MIND-BLOWN”
Dean Derbyshire – 16lb barbel
“THIS winter I’ve enjoyed getting back into my barbel fishing on the Dorset Stour. After having a recapture of a 15lb fish, I then landed this one weighing 16lb on the dot. It left me mind-blown!”
“It was taken during an evening session, and fell to a homemade bait that I created with John Baker ingredients. I’ve had a great deal of success when using the stuff this winter.”
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“ANOTHER BIG BARBEL!”
“AFTER landing an 18lb 8oz PB barbel from Kings Weir on the River Lea, I returned and landed a different fish of 18lb exactly.
“I then added another that weighed bang on 10lb.
“The winning tactic was a slightly unusual one in this day and age. Normally, I fish a maggot feeder, but lately I’ve had success using a 1oz drilled bullet, which I allow to trundle under near-bank features. “A bunch of maggots on the hook was the successful bait.”
“I WAS REALLY STRUGGLING TO SEE TH
