Legend's big barbel

TRADITIONAL floatfishing tactics have accounted for the biggest barbel of the season – this 16lb 8oz specimen from the River Nene.

Well-known angler and former fishery owner, Duncan Kay, landed the huge fish while targeting one of his favourite stretches of the local waterway with a telescopic 15ft rod.

The 65-year-old from Chelveston, Northants, is famous in the carp fishing world - not only for his own success with the species, but for also owning the Mid Northants Carp Fishery which held the

British record in 1995 - and he showed his ability to turn his hand to any species when he edged his 10mm pellet hookbait downstream under a Bolo float.

It’s the Northamptonshire Specimen Group Members’ second biggest ever barbel, having caught a 17lb 4oz specimen from the same stretch in the past, and he is now just one fish shy of catching 100 double figure barbel.

“Most people associate me with carp fishing, but I’m a fanatical angler that loves catching every fish that swims - especially on the float,” Duncan told Angling Times.

“This isn’t one of the ‘known’ stretches of the Nene and I landed a 13lb 8oz fish on my very first cast of the new season, which really was a dream start.

“I look for slacks or creases in the current down the inside of the river and then use a long rod to edge my banded pellet down the swim. I find that this gives me great control over the fish – especially when they are as big as this.”

Duncan’s successful presentation consisted of 10lb mainline tied to a 9lb hooklink.

His brace of barbel caps a very productive period as he recently banked a 10lb 1oz tench from a local club water.