Thanks to Phil Isaac from Hitchin for this excellent photograph of a 5lb Chub, caught from the River Ivel in Bedfordshire just before season end.  Phil fished a short evening session after work on a nice mild overcast day with 9 degrees air temperature, and with the river fining down nicely, caught a number of Chub, topped by a fine brace of 4lb 13oz and 5lb.

Phil was recently recommended the Drennan IM9 Classic rod by Mike Davidson for his trotting, and he put it to good effect, using an Abu Garcia fixed spool reel for this memorable catch, which came on Turmeric flavoured red maggots fished one up / one down.  The swim was prepared with a stream of loose fed maggots (a bait apron being utilized to good effect) prior to the first cast, and then steady feeding kept the bites coming by resting the swim after each fish.  Good discipline!

At the business end Phil used a size 16 Kamasan B911 hook beneath a 4AA Crystal Avon float, with 4lb Supplex mainline and remarked “The IM9 Classic rod is forgiving using light line and small hooks but is well balanced with plenty of power through the rod allowing confident playing of good sized fish in strong flows. It is light to use all day with no arm tiring, and is well balanced with whichever reel you want to fit on it. I love the fact that it breaks down into 2 x 6′ sections with the butt section unscrewing, I have all my rods made up ready to rock for after work sessions and this rod was a brilliant addition to my armoury”

For more information on the Drennan IM9 Classic rod, click here.