Many anglers fish their whole lives without getting their hands on a 15lb-plus barbel, but the very first time that Lee Edmond-Hiett targeted the species, he banked this beautiful fish weighing 16lb 8oz!
What’s more, it was caught from the River Itchen – a southern chalk stream with a low stock of large and notoriously challenging barbel.
“The river was low and there were only a handful of fishable swims, so I picked a spot a rod length out under a fallen tree,” Lee told us.
“After a couple of hours, the rod was nearly pulled in, and what followed was the hardest fight I’ve ever had from a fish. I’m still buzzing, and I’d urge anyone who hasn’t done so to try barbel fishing. You won’t regret it!”
IF YOU HAVE NEVER CAUGHT A BARBEL, HERE ARE SOME GREAT TIPS TO HELP YOU!
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