The River Lea has been in phenomenal barbel form this season, with the 22lb 1oz new British best taken late last year being the highlight of a glut of giant fish caught from the waterway.
Now, in order to boost the venue’s chances of continuing to produce specimen fish, the Environment Agency (EA) has stocked 1,000 young barbel into the river.
These introductions have been marked with blue dye on their bellies, and the EA is calling for anglers to report any captures of these fish so it can track their progress.
“They are part of a project to restore historical populations of barbel in the Old River Lea,” said Sam Edmonds, Lea Catchment Fisheries Officer.
“They’ve been stocked at Kings Weir and Fishers Green, and we’re asking anyone who catches one to take a picture and send it to us.”
Caught a marked barbel? Email hnlfm@environment- agency.gov.uk
IF YOU WANT TO START BARBEL FISHING, OUR BEGINNERS GUIDE IS THE PERFECT READ.
