THE BEST FISH YOU’VE LANDED THIS WEEK
“IT SHOT OUT FROM UNDER ABUSH”
“I’VE been after a lure-caught 20lb pike from the River Thames for quite a while now, and I have finally hit the target after coming close a few times.
“The river was flooded, but I found a shallow slack to target.
The spot looked promising, so I decided to concentrate my efforts on it, and I was just retrieving my 18cm lure when the fish shot out from under an overhanging bush and inhaled it in an instant!
“At 22lb 11oz, and measuring 108cm, this pike is one I’m truly over the moon with.”
“CHUFFED WAS AN UNDERSTATEMENT”
“GIVEN that the nights are drawing out, I decided to do a few sessions on a stretch of river which I’d heard had done a few decent perch.
“First evening, I had three two-pounders and a brace of scraper ‘threes’ – a good start! When I returned, the fish had moved, so I headed to a likely-looking area upstream. Within minutes of casting out my double dendrobaena hookbait, the tip bounced round and I landed a fish of 2lb 7oz. Next cast, I knew I’d hooked something bigger. The fish went 4lb 3oz, which equals my current best. Chuffed was an understatement!”
“THE ROD WAS GOING MAD!”
“I WAS surprised to see the River Lea running with a tinge of colour and a little extra flow.
“I set up with a 2oz lead to hold bottom on the far bank
