“It was without doubt the best-looking perch I’d ever seen!” – these are the words of lure fanatic Chris Lowe who was left feeling delighted with the capture of a stunning 4lb 10oz specimen.

“IT WAS without doubt the best-looking perch I’d ever seen!” – these are the words of lure fanatic Chris Lowe who was left feeling delighted with the capture of a stunning 4lb 10oz specimen.

It was a new personal best for the 39-year-old although he had a much smaller perch to thank for his catch, as he explained further…

“The section of the River Thames I was fishing was in flood at the time and I was targeting the slacks with a crayfish-imitation lure.

“I spent far too long using this method with only one perch to show for my efforts, however that fish changed the game.

“It was a plump two-pounder but it coughed up a load of two-inch fry in my net.”

Being a fan of ‘matching the hatch’, Chris switched to a 7cm Fox Rage Slick Shad lure in pearl colour which completely transformed the rest of his session.

He added: “Almost immediately I hooked into a big fish and I knew it was a special perch straight away.

“It put up a fantastic fight and when I got it in the net I couldn’t believe how pristine it was.

“I lost another on the very next cast which looked like a very big three, at least before it spat the hook at the net.

“I can’t complain though as I left with a new PB and enjoyed what was probably the best few hours of fishing I’ve ever had.”