The Trent is Britain’s most popular barbel river, but certain stretches are far better known for match angling, such as the one at Burton Joyce.
It’s where the prestigious RiverFest final is held, but Chris Nash highlighted its hidden big barbel credentials last week by landing this belting 19lb 5oz fish from there.
Chris lives in Cornwall, and had driven north to visit family. Fancying some barbel fishing, as there isn’t any in his home county, he booked two days on the stretch.
FANCY A TRIP TO THE TRENT YOURSELF? HERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO STAY AND FISH.
During the first, his target species evaded him, although he did land some nice roach.
The following day, he moved to the swim next door and had caught a few silverfish before his reel screamed off and his 1.75tc rod bent double.
An arm-aching battle followed in the rising river, but eventually Chris netted a fish that he couldn’t believe the size of.
At 19lb 5oz, it’s one of the biggest barbel ever landed from the Trent. It fell to a big bunch of maggots fished on a size 12 hook.
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