Switch to maggots on dropping river brings big chub

Chub fishing hasn’t been easy in flooded rivers across the UK, but southern specimen angler Phil Buckingham made the most of his local River Lea as it fined down with this 7lb 8oz fish.

Fishing the Kings Weir stretch, Phil returned to a swim where he’d had a few indications earlier.

“I’ve been fishing Kings Weir twice a week this winter, with it being my local water, and on a previous session I’d fished meat in a big slack but only had a few pulls. 

“With the colour dropping out the river I switched to a maggot feeder, and when my centrepin screeched I thought I’d hooked a barbel!

“The lack of fight indicated otherwise, and I was delighted to slip the net under the fish – my 11th chub over 7lb.”

Phil Buckingham and his 7lb 8oz Lea chub