FOLLOWING a tricky start to the season on his local River Severn, venue regular Chris Smith finally got among the fish, landing this 16lb 8oz beast.
He’s fished the river for 30 years, and landed this barbel from its lower reaches. It’s a known fish, and although he wasn’t targeting it specifically, he’s unsurprisingly delighted with the catch.
It fell to his homemade milk protein boilies, and prior to landing it he’d lightly prebaited the stretch with a friend for a few weeks.
Arriving at 1pm, he had the bite just after 3pm, with the fish giving a 10-minute scrap, tearing off like a steam train before finally hitting the net.
Chris Smith – 16lb 8oz barbel