Omar Sriti and Sam Wakefield. 8lb 3oz and 8lb 5oz Chub

In the last few remaining days of the river season a simply remarkable chub catch was taken, as two mates fishing next to each other landed chub of 8lb 3oz and 8lb 5oz, with both bites coming within moments of each other.

Omar Sriti and Sam Wakefield were enjoying a session on the Thames in search of a late season PB chub. The pair had enjoyed a great season on the river, having landed big perch, pike and barbel. They decided to try a stretch of river they hadn’t fished before, in the hope of catching one of the Thames’ fabled big chub, but what happened next was something neither angler could’ve prepared for.“We picked a day we felt was too cold for barbel, so we’d have a better chance of singling out the chub,” Omar told us. “The river was very high and pushing through, but we knew we had to try, so we picked two spots and cast paste-wrapped fishmeal boilies out, albeit with low confidence. After an hour I had a small indication, and Sam told me it was likely a chub. Suddenly, the rod hammered round, and I initially thought I’d hooked a barbel. I knew it was a good fish, but as it came closer, I saw a big chub in the moonlight.”

Once in the net, it was clear Omar had caught something special, so he called his friend and experienced Thames angler, Adam Bassimeh, to come and help with the weighing.

“Adam soon arrived, and as soon as he did, Sam’s rod went and he hooked another big fish! After a tough battle, another huge chub was landed, and the three of us couldn’t believe what we were seeing. Adam weighed them both, with mine hitting 8lb 3oz, Sam’s a massive 8lb 5oz. We were all stunned at what we were seeing!”

Well done Omar and Sam!