It caps a remarkable week for the species, with the River Severn record being smashed and a 19lb 8oz fish banked from the Hampshire Avon, not to mention a host of other big ones reported. With a slight chill in the air, it seems that Britain’s barbel are feeding hard and, if catches continue at their current rate, could be an indicator of a bumper autumn for the species.

On the session Ian had his fish, which is a new PB, he had planned to be on a social elsewhere with a few mates. But when that was cancelled, he headed to his usual stretch of the Trent.

“That cancellation turned out to be a blessing in disguise,” the Nottinghamshire angler told us. “I had everything set up and ready just before darkness and cast out 20mm Redemption boilies and catapulted a few over the top. Soon afterwards, I had a little chub. I recast, and a few hours later had a ripping take. Picking up the rod, the fish gave an absolute beast of a scrap! It ran up and down the river, making big lunges as it neared the bank before I finally had it in the net.”

Blown away by the size of the fish in front of him, Ian ran up to his friend in the next peg to come and help with the weighing and photography. “It’s a moment I’m never going to forget,” he told us. “I think it could weigh over 21lb in peak condition, going right up to 22lb. It was a massive fish for so early in the season.”

Well done Ian!