Having found the River Lea running with extra water and colour, Dave Robinson headed for a shallow area and was rewarded with this exceptional 17lb 4oz barbel.
He only had a few hours to fish, having arrived at the Kings Weir stretch at 9pm.
But just 20 minutes after casting he hooked what was clearly a special fish. After playing it for five minutes, he called his friend and fellow big fish angler, Oli Davies, over, who was fishing nearby. Oli helped Dave to net the huge fish, which was well-proportioned and in great
condition. It fell to a 12mm boilie fished on a long hair, presented 18 inches below a 2oz inline lead on a fluorocarbon hooklink.
Well done Dave!