Massive barbel completes ‘lifetime goal’

(This catch was reported before the river close season came into force on March 15th 2022)

AFTER dozens of fruitless sessions during which he was plagued by bream and eels, Duncan Hayward finally completed his lifetime goal of catching a 15lb-plus barbel in spectacular fashion when he slipped his net under this 18lb 6oz beast.

Fishing the Thames, Duncan used a snowman set-up made from a chunk of Peperami and a Secret Squirrell Bilingsgate pop-up, with the whole hookbait wrapped in paste.

He positioned his rig in a snaggy area on the edge of a crease and used powerful tackle to tame the massive new personal best.