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First-ever cast on a river produces sensational perch

by Freddie Sandford |

Updated on15th December 2025 at 10.48am

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When a 20-minute fishing window of opportunity opened for Ian Conway while he was working close to a river, he knew that catching anything would be a result.

So, imagine his surprise when he landed this 4lb 15oz perch… on a grain of floatfished corn!

Ian was working near the River Gade, just to the north of London, when he had a bit of spare time – so he grabbed the tackle from his van.

“I have 30 years of stillwater fishing experience but I am a complete novice to river fishing – I had never fished one before this day!” he told us.

“I presented a bit of corn beneath a waggler near a far-bank tree, and within a minute the float dipped and I struck into what I thought might be a chub.

“So I was utterly shocked when the biggest perch I’ve ever seen rolled into the net!”

HERE ARE SOME GREAT TIPS TO HELP YOU CATCH BIGGER PERCH...

Not a bad way to start fishing on rivers - what a massive perch

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