After landing a huge eel and one of the biggest river bream ever early in the year, Dave Robinson has added another fish another huge fish this incredible tally in the shape of this magnificent 7lb 8oz chub.
“I’ve fished the River Lea in search of giant chub pretty much exclusively over the last three autumns," Dave told us.
“I tend to begin my campaign around mid-October but, with the arrival of my second child imminent, I’ve had no choice but to start early this season."
“Usually, I fish link-legered baits because that’s what I get the most enjoyment out of doing. But, as I’ve got a ticket for Kings Weir on the River Lea this season, my plans were different."
“The way I look at it, I may only get one opportunity each trip, and the thought of painstakingly staring at the tip for hours on end, praying I won’t miss my chance if it comes along, is too much of a risk."
“I kept my general approach more or less the same, but stepped my kit up, using a set-up more like one I’d use for barbel. This incorporated a size 8 wide-gape, beak pointed hook, a 2oz inline lead followed by an anti-tangle sleeve and around 18 ins of 12lb fluorocarbon, again much like a barbel rig."
RIVER FISHING CAN OFTEN INVOLVE LOTS OF WALKING, CHEKC OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST FISHING BOOTS.
“Since the weather started to cool down I’d managed three bites but still no chub. After a chat the Andy, the owner, who suggested the chub could be way downstream of the weir where they spend the summer months, I tried the far end of the section the following session."
“After an evening of leapfrogging between the slower, deeper swims, I settled into an area just below the bridge. It was late, and after an hour of clock-watching I felt a subtle tap through the rod – something which hadn’t happened until that point."
“Shortly after that the rattle was back, but this time the fish was on, and I lifted into what I assumed was going to be another small barbel. It surfaced mid-river, so I clicked my headtorch on and in front of me was the biggest chub I’d ever seen in my life. It wasan absolute giant, and my mood changed instantly," Dave recalled.
“The fight was dogged, but the hookhold was good. As the fish eventually slid over the net cord I couldn’t believe what had just happened."
“All those blanks, all those miles and hours of travelling, and there in the bottom of my net was the fish I’d dreamt about."
“I’ve studied countless photos of these freak River Lea chub over the years, and I’ve got a picture of this particular fish at a weight of 8lb 10oz from last season. Now it was my turn, and what a buzz it gave me to catch it."
“The reason I came to Kings Weir, the reason I always travelled to the valley, was there in front of me – 7lb 8oz of late summer chub. It’s hard to explain the proportions of this fish, but I’d honestly never seen anything like it. A true giant, and a capture I will never forget,” he concluded.
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH BIG CHUB, MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING THE BEST CHUB FISHING RODS.
