“The barbel fought violently, staying deep and powering into the midriver”
The Hampshire Avon has been in spectacular form for big barbel this season, but few anglers have had a better time on the river than Ringwood angler, Gavin Barrett, who has just landed this 19lb 3oz fish.
Fishing a home-made boilie in a paste wrap as a single hookbait, Gavin connected with what he immediately suspected was something a bit special. The barbel fought violently, staying deep and powering into the midriver. Eventually, it came upstream of him, and before long was eased into the waiting net.
![](https://www.drennantackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gavin.-Barret-Barbel.jpg)
The fish is one Gavin has been after over the last few winters, and landing it is what he describes as the ‘peak’ of his incredible season.
Well done Gavin!