Matt Atkins, 5lb 1oz Perch

“First ‘five’ from running water”
Big perch expert, Matt Atkins, has landed the largest reported stripy of the season, in the shape of this 5lb 1oz warrior. Matt, who has now landed four perch over 5lb and one six-pounder, was targeting the mighty River Thames, fishing from a boat he purchased this summer.
This fish is his first ‘five’ from running water, and he proved the effectiveness of live baits for singling out the largest of perch, catching this fish on a free roving dace fished off the back of the boat in 9ft of slack water.