“If one in a hundred trips were like today, I’d take it!” those were the words of Gavin Barrett when he has an incredible session on the Hampshire Avon which saw him land this lovely 16lb 7oz Barbel.

He told us “I arrived mid-morning and landed a 7lb 7oz chub around lunchtime before moving into a swim which I fancied for a barbel. As the light started to fade, I had two single beeps on the alarm before receiving an incredibly violent take! Even though I was poised and ready, it still made me jump out of my skin. After a powerful fight I managed to slip the net under the fish and was truly blown away by the size of it. This fish has been the result of a lot of effort, but if one in a hundred trips were like today, I’d take it!”