It’s already been a productive autumn for Britain’s perch anglers, and while most of the big fish reported have come from reservoirs, one man has been enjoying superb sport on the river.
Over the last few weeks, Wayne Edwards has had a remarkable run of perch catches on the River Lea, capped by this 5lb 6oz fish. It’s believed to be a record for the waterway, eclipsing a 5lb 2oz stripey landed a few years ago.
Wayne, who has also landed three other fish over 4lb, plus 12 different ‘threes’ lately, said: “I had a job called off due to the weather, so I grabbed some leftover bait and headed to the river, where I fished maggots and chopped worm over groundbait.”
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After catching some bream, roach and small chub, Wayne then moved to an area where he’d caught big perch during previous sessions.
“There were two anglers there, but they didn’t mind me dropping in by the next boat down, where I presented a livebait on a legered paternoster rig,” he said.
“After catching a pike, I recast and had a little drop-back bite. I thought it might have been another pike, but when a big perch surfaced, I knew it was a bit special.”
However, it wasn’t until the fish was laid on Wayne’s unhooking mat that he fully realised the size of it.
“I was buzzing when my scales indicated a weight of 5lb 6oz. The fish was also weighed on the scales of a passing lure angler, which gave the same reading,” he added
“I had a five-pounder back in 2019, but I didn’t own the best quality scales at the time."
“I’m pleased to have caught another with better equipment, and to have fellow anglers alongside me to witness it this time!”
