Now the new river season is over a week old we’re getting quite a few catch reports starting to filter in from anglers – and this one from Ian Taylor is really special to say the least!  Thank-you to Ian, who works at top South-West tackle shop Exeter Angling Centre, and occasionally travels up to Herefordshire to fish the mighty Wye for Barbel & Chub, for this previously unpublished photograph and details.

This extraordinary Mirror Carp interrupted Ian’s trip on the last day of the river season in March.  Ian began the trip fishing a breadflake bait, with a few to taking any bonus Chub before switching to the Barbel.  After several minutes of playing this huge fish, it became very apparent this was no Chub.  With some patience and skill Ian managed to land the colossal fish, which ‘plodded’ around for some time; expecting perhaps a 20lber.  It weighed in at a jaw-dropping 35lb!  A wonderful end to the season was capped later with 4 Barbel and a Chub…

Ian used a 12ft 1.75lb Barbel rod, with 10lb ESP Syncro line through to a size 6 Drennan Super Specialist Barbel hook.  See http://www.exeterangling.co.uk/aboutus.php for details on Exeter Angling Centre or to contact them for top river advice from Ian!

For more details on the quite superb Super Specialist Barbel hook pattern Ian used to land this carp, click here:-
http://drennantackle.com/productDetail.php?category=72&prod_id=340