Barbel catch reports generally drop off at this time of year, but if there is one venue that can still produce a fish, it has to be Kings Weir on the River Lea.
The stretch has been in blistering form this season, Andy Childs being the latest to capitalise with this 16lb 8oz fish.
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Spending a day in the famous weir pool, Andy found the river in good condition, albeit running a little high. He baited with hemp and maggots via a baitdropper and presented a big bunch of maggots on a size 12 hook over the top, below a large maggot feeder.
After five hours he’d had nothing – not even a sign from small fish – and was thinking about lunch... but then the rod-tip moved.
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It had been bouncing around all morning in the powerful flow, and debris was also catching the line. But this indication was more purposeful and was shortly followed by the tip pulling over far more confidently.
Striking and winding into the fish, Andy wondered if he was snagged, before the ‘snag’ took off and he was playing what was unmistakably a large barbel.
As the minutes ticked by, he gained control before netting it at the second attempt.
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