Saturday, 10 August 2019

The Chub


Last time I was on the river I spotted a monster chub, already over my time limit and packed up I was forced to leave it for another day (plus it was in an impossible spot to cast to). I was pretty excited and phoned James... “I think I’ve just spotted THE chub we’ve been searching for”... And told him exactly where I’d seen it...


James is on a bit of a chub mission himself at the moment, so I had to be the first to try and catch her - an early start - straight back to the spot - and it had bloody moved!! But after much searching back and forth (getting stung) I found her sunbathing about 20 yards downstream and flicked out a freelined piece of bread...


I watched the bread trundle down in the shallow water - the big girl moved across and nailed it - all hell broke loose as she tried to get in every snag going - a short dirty fight before she was safely in the net. What a fish! On the scales she went 6lb 2oz - a fabled six - my best from the river and second biggest chub ever - absolutely delighted!


And as my barbel tally from the river was standing at 698 I was keen to try and add two more to chip me over the seven hundred mark. I’d spotted a few on route and while on chub search. Retracing my steps I landed barbel number 699 and 700 (above) - and added four more barbel & a regular size chub for good measure!

For the barbel records: 4lb 7oz, 4lb, 3½lb, 2½lb, 1¾lb & 1½lb (68)

12 comments:

  1. Great fish, well angled that man. Why does success with chub always include nettle rash, insect bites, tics and torn clothing?

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    1. Cheers. I think I spend my entire summers getting stung, I’d like to say I’m getting used to it, but it hurts like a bastard every time!

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    2. boots sting relief spray.i only have to look at a nettle..

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    3. Either dock leaves, or better still spotting a fish to take my mind off the stinging!

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  2. Replies
    1. Cheers Mick, such an impressive fish to see let alone catch. I’m amazed James didn’t drop everything, race down and beat me to it!

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    2. a whopper for there!could be seven by winter.keep feeding it mind.

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    3. Looks pretty much top summer weight with that gut, but who knows in winter when the back half starts to fill up - hopefully see her again in February!

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  3. Replies
    1. Was a stunner, going to keep my eyes peeled for her big sister now...

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  4. What a unit! Congrats Brian,top angling. Certainly one to be proud of.

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    1. Thanks James, very pleased with a six - especially from this river and this early in the season!

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