A giant predator weighing 36lb 8oz, fell to the rods of Nathan Long during a trip to pike fishing hotspot Chew Valley Lake, in Somerset.
Nathan was fishing in what he described as ‘moody conditions’ when he connected with something that he had a feeling was a bit special right from the moment he set the hooks.
“It was a murky old day, with mist rolling in. When I had a take on my herring deadbait, to begin with I actually thought a cormorant had picked me up. But when I realised that wasn’t the case and I lifted the rod, I had an inkling something special might be on the end. Then, at around 100 yards, she decided to tail-walk!
“It’s been a week now since the catch, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
“I’ll probably never beat this personal best and will cherish the memory forever.”
