On the first day of their trip, they were pestered by the complex’s carp and bream, but the next day James Lewis moved to a likely-looking swim where a tree overhung the lake. He decided to fish the pole, with the tactic not only enabling him to fish tight to the snag, but also to impart a bit of movement into his worm hookbait.

Having fed some chopped worms and prawns in Terre de Somme to ensure it reached the bottom, he received a slow bite before thumping into a fish that bored for the tree.

With his heart racing, James applied side strain and managed to turn the fish, at which point he saw a flash of red as a large perch rolled on the surface. At that point, he knew it was the one he was after, so pushed the pole tip to the sky to draw the fish to the surface, at which point he skilfully scooped it first time. At 5lb 1oz, it’s a new PB for James, and the specimen the pair came for.

Well done James!