Nathan Long recently headed over to the famous Chew Valley in search of its big pike and it was mission accomplished as he banked himself this lovely 36lb 8oz croc.

Down in Somerset, Nathan was fishing in moody conditions when he connected with something he had a feeling was a bit special. He told us “It was a murky old day with mist rolling in, and when I had a take, I actually thought a cormorant had picked up my Norfolk herring. I wound down and hit it, and felt something heavy, I had an inkling something special might be on the end. Then, at around 100 yards, she decided to tail walk! Right away I knew it was a big ‘twenty’, but when my friend Michael Sparks, an experienced carper, eventually netted and lifted her out the water, he was sure she was a thirty.”

On the scales, the needle spun round to 36lb 8oz, leaving Nathan quite emotional.
“It’s been a week now and I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ll probably never beat this PB and will cherish the memory forever.” He added.

Well done Nathan!