Since the start of the 2021 pike season, Chew Valley Lake has been in great form once again, and it shows no sign of slowing up, after Devon angler Wayne Thomas banked this 38lb fish.
Using fly tactics, Wayne used a black pattern on a 9wt rod, intermediate line and 30lb wire trace. The fish was the first one of the day, and was subdued after an exciting five-minute tussle, with the fish circling the boat and testing his tackle to the limit. After landing the fish, Wayne described the feeling as ‘slightly surreal’. He’s been a regular visitor to Chew since 2001, and his best pike up until this point was a 27lb 12oz fish landed in 2008.
Wayne’s boat partner on the day, Steve Dawe, also added a fish of 20lb 5oz as part of a shared 23-pike haul.
Well done Wayne!