Having heard rumours of a large barbel in the upper Thames, Tom Humphreys fancied having a go for the fish, but with his second baby being born, he knew his angling opportunities would be limited. But, he embarked on a campaign that saw him sneaking out to fish in the… Read more

Julian Barnes had a mega barbel session on the Trent to end the season, landing 19 fish, of which 14 of were doubles! The biggest of the bunch was this lovely 17lb 15oz specimen, which backed up by further fish of 17lb 9oz and 15lb 9oz! He told us “I… Read more

A return to his old stomping grounds on the River Lea at King’s Weir paid off in style for Mark Hewett, when he caught this 19lb 9oz barbel towards the end of the season. It fell to a bunch of maggots fished on a size 10 hook alongside an in-line… Read more

Alfie Lane has enjoyed a great season on southern rivers, and he ended it in fine style with this 18lb 12oz fish from the Hampshire Avon. Having seen that water temperatures were creeping up, he arrived on the river and was surprised to find his stretch of choice empty. Settling… Read more

Having spent two nights without a bite, Alan Taylor’s efforts paid off in style when he landed this 19lb barbel mid March. Alan was fishing on the River Trent at Bob’s Island, where he sat it out in the popular point swim. Despite cold nights, Alan persevered with the fishing,… Read more

Phil White’s river campaign had, in his own words, been a poor one, until his tip pulled around one evening session at the end of the season and he landed this barbel of 21lb 5oz. It’s the second biggest ever reported and would have been a new British Record if… Read more