Gary settled in a swim in the weir pool that he’s fancied for a while, It’s a spot that he had tried earlier in the year but found it too weedy to run a float through, however the recent floods had cleared the swim, which gave him an opportunity.

After introducing a pint of hemp, Gary introduced a pouch of maggots every few minutes as he tackled up before starting to fish. After about 45 minutes he had a bite way down the swim and hooked a heavy fish that he was sure to be a barbel.

It fought doggedly as he slowly brought it upstream, but when it surfaced, he was shocked to see a huge chub. Weighing 7lb 11oz, the fish is his new PB, beating his previous best by 3oz.

Well done Gary!