Carpin Capers, Northampton manager and Northampton Specimen Group member Paul ‘Dougie’ Douglas enjoyed some exciting, last gasp Perch glory at the end of the river season.

Paul’s main target for the Winter was to catch a 4lb river Perch – and like the majority of us, found river fishing conditions this Winter somewhat challenging to say the least!

But application and effort generally brings a dividend in the end – and so it proved for Paul during the last two weekends of the season. Fishing stretches of the River Great Ouse, he firstly beat his old personal best by 1oz with this 3lb 15oz “honesty” fish on the penultimate weekend of the season, part of a superb 5-fish catch.

Finally getting back out on the river for the final Sunday of the season, a little late after family commitments, Paul decided on a switch to a different stretch. Just one bite ensued, but it brought a big, plump specimen joyfully weighing in at 4lb 1oz to finish the season in style!

“I cannot begin to tell you how made up I was with this fish. Target achieved just in time!!!” Paul told us.

All these fish were caught using link ledgered lobworm, on a size 6 Wide Gape hook, 4lb Gardner Mirage Fluoro hooklinks [2-3 ft] to 5lb Supplex mainline and a Drennan Super Specialist Duo 12ft 1.25lb rod fitted with a 1oz quivertip. Paul sprayed loose-fed Lobworm and Red Maggots with the aid of one of the new Revolution Catapults.

“I have been using one of the new strong Latex (green) Revoloution Catapults for all my loose feed this winter and have found them superb!” said Paul. For full details on the Revolution Catapults – rated ‘superb’ by Paul, click here.

For quality tackle and first class specimen Perch advice in Northampton, contact Paul at Carpin Capers on (01604) 634115 or see their website.