The stars aligned for YouTube vlogger Mark Erdwin recently when a slight change in humidity and some very light rainfall created the perfect conditions for barbel fishing.
Targeting a moody stretch of the River Loddon, Mark's efforts were rewarded with this fine 15lb 2oz specimen, a real chunk for the southern waterway.
“Having lightly fed the swim, I cast a paste-wrapped and hardened dumbell boilie into position and, within 20 minutes, I received an indication that fish were around when I landed a chub that had eyes bigger than
its belly!" he told us.
“Recasting, I had a quick wrap-round on the rod-tip before it sprang back to its initial position. Ten minutes later came a series of lighter taps before my centrepin went into overdrive!
“The fight was extreme, but I managed to bully the fish out of some reeds and safely away from low-hanging snags. By the time I landed it, I think I was the more exhausted! My reward was a wonderful barbel."
WANT TO TRY BARBEL FISHING YOURSELF? HERE'S HOW TO GET STARTED.
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