If there had to pick a stand-out river this season for big barbel it’d have to be the Lea, with the stretch at King’s weir producing some huge fish. With one of the most recent being this 17lb 9oz specimen, landed by Mark Cotterell.
He’s a member at the fishery and normally spends his time on the exclusive bit of river downstream, however on this occasion he decided to try the weir itself, which is open to day ticket anglers.
Maggot feeder tactics were his choice, and having landed a steady stream of silverfish, his rod took off and he connected with a fish that fight hard for 20 minutes. Once landed, Mark was stunned by the fish that smashes his previous PB by over 6lb.
Well done Mark!