Cotswold Specimen Anglers founding member Paul Hiom decided to search out the stunning Perch of the upper reaches of the River Thames in Oxfordshire for the last few weeks of the 2011-12 river season. As a change from his Barbel exploits and fishing short sessions with red maggot and large lobworms, Paul took thirty specimen Perch over 2lbs including eleven fish over the 3lb target in some of the best Perch fishing he has experienced to date. Paul states that his target was to achieve at least one three pound Perch from the upper reaches to try to beat his previous river best fish of 2lbs 12oz. His target was achieved in the first session with a brace of 3’s weighing in at 3lbs 8oz and 3lbs 10oz; two new personal best fish landed within the space of 15 minutes and another in the same session at 2lbs 14oz!
Trying to contain his excitement, Paul quickly became aware that a 4lb fish might be a distinct possibility. In the next few weeks and in the final days before calling time on 14th March, Paul took another nine 3lb plus specimens with a final best fish of 3lb 11oz. We think we know what next seasons target will be! Paul’s successful fishing was quickly shared with the other members of Cotswold Specimen Anglers, some of whom went on to catch personal bests of their own, proving that for this outfit, teamwork and fishing camaraderie is certainly high on the agenda.
Paul commented that his fishing was genuinely made all the more enjoyable with the Series 7 Puddle Chucker Carp Feeder 10ft rod – the perfect tool for the job in hand. “The lightweight through action rod took on a superb curve as it absorbed the powerful lunges of these hard fighting upper Thames fish.” Paul explained. All but one of his outstanding captures came to the Drennan rod, teamed with a Series 7 Feeder reel, fished with 1.5oz Slow Taper Glass Feeder Tip and a 1/3oz bomb, Drennan Quick Change bead and 12-18 inch 0.13mm hooklength tied to a size 4 Kamasan B983 hooks. Mainline was the new Drennan Supplex in 5lb breaking strain, which Paul reckons is the best main line that Drennan have produced to date.
For full details on the Series 7 Puddle Chucker Carp Feeder 10ft rod – used here by the Cotswold Specimen Anglers – click here.