Knowing that levels were low, the Durham angler opted for a scaled-down approach, fishing a wire-stemmed float shotted with bunches of No.4s, shirt button style, followed by three No.8 shot on the hooklink. He knew these would give his rig a much steadier fall through the water than the olivette he usually uses.

Targeting deeper pools and gullies, he’d landed a handful of two-pounders, but it wasn’t until around 6pm when the sun slowly began to set that his float dipped and he hooked the fish he was after. A big male, the fish’s dorsal fin was as big as Simon’s hand!

Maggots were and small pieces of worm were his hookbaits of choice, which he fished on size 18 Drennan prototype hooks.

Well done Simon!