“The barbel fought violently, staying deep and powering into the midriver”
The Hampshire Avon has been in spectacular form for big barbel this season, but few anglers have had a better time on the river than Ringwood angler, Gavin Barrett, who has just landed this 19lb 3oz fish.
Fishing a home-made boilie in a paste wrap as a single hookbait, Gavin connected with what he immediately suspected was something a bit special. The barbel fought violently, staying deep and powering into the midriver. Eventually, it came upstream of him, and before long was eased into the waiting net.
The fish is one Gavin has been after over the last few winters, and landing it is what he describes as the ‘peak’ of his incredible season.
Well done Gavin!