This season, Joe Atkinson set himself the challenge of catching a truly big chub and has just done so with this specimen of 7lb 8oz. Targeting the River Lea at Kings Weir, Joe had landed a string of five-pounders on trotting tactics over his first few sessions this winter, capped by a fish of 6lb 1oz whilst the Lea was in flood.
Shortly after landing the six-pounder, Joe returned, although this time the river had dropped by 18 inches, and he found that his 6g fluted float wouldn’t run through the swim as he wished. But, whilst walking the stretch in search of a different swim, he realised that the river was on the rise, so he returned to his original spot and began to feed maggots steadily.
By the time he cast out, the river had lifted by six inches and carried a tinge of extra colour. Joe’s float now ran through perfectly, and two hours later, it sailed away.He struck and connected with a fish that tested his light tackle to the limit, and as it neared the bank, Joe caught a glimpse of what he knew right away was a special fish.
Once in the net, he knew it was the ‘truly big’ specimen he’d been after.
Well done Joe!