Chesterfield angler David Pearson had set his alarm for 4am in anticipation of a 200-mile drive to Scotland, where he’d target grayling. But, after a check of the river levels at 3am revealed his target waterway to be rising, so he deleted his alarm and expected to be staying at home. A few hours later he checked the levels again, this time realising the river was dropping, so he hurriedly got ready and left the house much later than planned.

Once on the river though, he enjoyed two astonishing days fishing, landing fish of 3lb 3oz, 3lb 2oz, 2lb 13oz, 2lb 7oz, and 2lb 2oz. Trotted maggots were the winning tactic, which he fished below a homemade elder pith float that he’d designed specifically for the campaign.

Well done David!