The Dorset angler was on the lower Itchen fishery with a few mates, where he started the day trotting maggots. However, having spent the morning catching fish after fish, Andrew fancied trying something different. “I’d been landing them all day, and to be honest, it got a little bit boring,” he told us. “I was fishing one spot when I saw a big barbel in the clear water, so, after lunch, I grabbed a tip rod and a bit of luncheon meat to try and catch it”. No bites followed, so when friend asked if he fancied trying a weirpool for the last hour of the day, Andrew was happy to oblige.

“First cast with the luncheon meat I caught an eel, and on the next, I thought I hooked another one, before the fish went absolutely mental!” Andrew’s rod hooped over as a powerful fish charged about in the strong flow, and after an epic battle, he landed the specimen barbel. “As it was the end of the day, lots of the other anglers were passing by as they headed back to their cars and witnessed the fish. These included T.V. fishing legend Jeremy Wade, who had been fishing the stretch that day!”

Well done Andrew!