Catch reports flooded in into the Angling Times News Desk throughout the opening week with the pick of the bunch being a monster chub of 7lb 15oz.

The exceptional summer chevin was caught by Samuel Everist, who took advantage of his lunch break at work to head to the River Lea – taking the fish on only his second cast.

Samuel used free-lined bread mounted on a size 6 hook tied to 6lb mainline on a centre pin reel. “The photo’s don’t do it justice, but in the flesh it was an absolute lump – I think it was full of spawn”, Samuel said.