A PLEASURE angler enjoying a quick session on a Midlands canal has caught what he thinks could be the first burbot seen in British waters since 1969.
Gordon Jones, who’s fished for over 70 years, made the shock capture from the Shropshire Union Canal at Market Drayton, and unaware of its significance, returned the fish without taking a picture.
“I was bored of watching TV, so headed to the canal with my friend Ray for an evening’s fishing,” he said. “I was float fishing with maggots when I landed this unusual-looking creature that was around 9ins long. I put it straight back, thinking nothing of it, but Ray looked in an old fishing book and found a picture of a burbot, and that was definitely it!
“After reporting it I was contacted by Defra, and I believe there may now be investigations planned in the area.”
