Over 20 sessions and 100 hours on the bank were what it took for Duncan Hayward to land his second Thames barbel of the season, but his persistence paid off when it tipped the needle of his scales to 19lb 4oz.
The Surrey angler was targeting a stretch where he’s had success in the past, however the fishing is never easy. He’d endured some brutal trips in the buildup, facing everything from hordes of mosquitos to rats running over him. Regardless of the issues, Duncan continued and was rewarded for his efforts when the huge barbel slipped up to his boilie hookbait fished snowman-style, wrapped in a homemade paste containing crushed water snails and swan mussels.
Well done Duncan!