New UK shore-caught tope record

Michael Bell’s long distance trip to the Isle of Man proved worthwhile when he landed a new UK shore caught Tope record, weighing a staggering 66lb 10oz.

The 42-year-old Northumberland-based college lecturer was fishing with his friend Scott Davidson at Point West, in Ramsey - a known deep water mark for the species - when he landed the fish, beating Kevin Legge’s 66lb specimen caught in Devon in 2006.

The pair caught a total of 24 fish during the week, including another large tope of 40lb, using freshly caught mackerel.

Michael used a Sakuma Manta 6/0 hook tied to a 75lb Sakuma wire trace to land the fish, which was weighed and witnessed by local angler Mark Quirk, before being released.


34lb 7oz pike falls to fly fishing tactics

This is a picture of one of the UK’s biggest ever fly-caught pike, topping the scales at 34lb 7oz.

The specimen was landed by experienced game angler John Machin when he set his sights on a gin-clear Midlands reservoir.

After noticing that the predators had been avoiding brightly-coloured flies he opted for a FlyTek 6” perch pattern – a decision that rewarded him with his new personal best for the species.

This is the biggest fly-caught specimen to be landed in the UK since the capture of a 39lb pike landed by Russell Cowell at Somerset’s Chew Valley Reservoir in June this year.
“The fish had really been spooking off the coloured flies, so I thought a more natural looking version would give me a better chance,” said John.

“There are also loads of perch in this venue so that’s why I chose this particular pattern of fly.

“This capture was a combination of a lot of time spent dedicated to the species and a slice of good fortune. A fish like this is really rare and very special indeed,” he added.

His catch now leads the way in the newly launched ‘Fly for Coarse’ competition that awards prizes for coarse species caught by design by those fishing with a fly.

The yearly competition is judged and endorsed by Matt Hayes and is run by regular Angling Times columnist Dom Garnett, who believes  John’s huge predator is a perfect example of what’s possible when fly fishing for coarse fish.

“With the exception of Chew Valley this is the biggest fly-caught pike I’ve seen in a long time,” Dom said.

“It shows how effective fly fishing can be and this competition is a celebration of that. Anyone can enter and it really doesn’t matter what species you catch or how big it is.”

To find out how to enter the ‘Fly for Coarse’ competition visit: www.flyforcoarse.com


A third UK fifty for Chancellor

Dave Chancellor has become one of a select group of anglers who can boast of catching three different UK fifties with the capture of this 58lb mirror from the Avenue.

Incredibly, it is the forty second fish he has landed in just eight sessions on the tricky Shropshire syndicate water where most people would consider 15 fish in a year a good result.

The impressive specimen known as Jona topped an 11 fish haul which also included two thirties, seven twenties and an upper double.

“I’ve tried to do things a bit different to everyone on the lake and I think all these little tweaks have played a part in my success,” he said. “All of my fish were taken from close to a gravel bar which runs down the centre of the lake. Most people cast tight to the feature, and yes fish do get caught from here, but I think they’re used to being fished for here and can be very cagey. I prefer to fish a couple of rod lengths short of the bar where the fish feed much more confidently.”

Dave used a Mainline Hybrid pop-up with a piece of lead wire inserted to create a ‘wafter’ hookbait. This was mounted on his variation of the popular chod rig which he has called the hopper rig.

His previous fifties include a fish known as the Northern Mirror at 51lb from an Essex syndicate and Acton’s The Italian at just over 50lb.


Regular Tonne Nets From The Willows Fishery

A huge re-stocking of over 8000 carp and extensive renovation work a few years ago means that anglers are now reaping the rewards at The Willows Fishery with some huge nets over 100lb being taken regularly on its two scenic lakes.

Anglers are also visiting here to enjoy the ide fishing at the moment on the venue’s Gold Rush Lake (36 pegs). These fish go to 5lb in here, filling nets to over 100lb. At this time of year and with temperatures high, the fish are feeding shallow. To catch them feed a cloud of over-whetted groundbait or use a 50/50 mix of swimstim and garden peat and fish into it with caster on the hook about 1ft under the surface at around 11m on the pole or waggler. You can then feed a few casters every minute to keep the fish coming, so take a few pints with you. It’s not just ide in this lake however, as there are plenty of carp to 18lb, bream and chub to 4lb, crucians, barbel and even golden tench to 5lb. For the carp, which average around 8lb, dead maggot fished over a little groundbait is currently working well but pellets and meat fished on the deck in the margins or up to one of the lakes 8 islands will see you catch a nice mixed net of fish.

On the smaller Ridge Lake, fishing into the margins is one of the best ways to amass a pleasing net of fish. The water responds extremely well to pole and chopped worm for 50lb-plus nets of carp, ide, orfe and chub. Cup in that feed regularly to keep the bites coming. In recent years pellet paste has also gone down a treat especially feeding micros and fishing a 4 or 6mm version over the top but there is no need to use hard pellets as there are few small pestering fish in here.
Peg 53, on Ridge, is a gem of a peg and the bushes on the far bank are a real magnet for carp. It’s an excellent swim for fishing shallow, with corn, pellet or maggot. For bigger fish try a bigger pellet fished tight to the island.

Top tip: For bigger carp try dog biscuits on the surface for fish to 18lb

Prices: £6 a day or £5 concessions
Contact: 01904 738206, willowsfishery.co.uk
Location: Off the A59, Hessay, York, North Yorks, YO26 8JU.
Rules: Barbless only, Maximum 12 hooks, no keepnets, un-hooking mats for carp over 6lb
Facilities: Toilets, drinking water tap, BnB accommodation

 


Blue sharks... from a small inflatable boat!

Catching sharks from a small inflatable boat might sound like a daunting experience – but that’s exactly what Julian Chidgey did, landing a series of blue sharks to over 70lb.

The Fox-backed angler joined forces with his friend Neil Edgar and targeted the predators off the coast of Cornwall.

Fresh mackerel hookbaits were caught first before being presented under a float setup. It didn’t take long for the action to begin, and Julian said: “I’d been fishing for smaller species on a light rig when all of a sudden I could hear line being stripped from my shark rod.”

“Despite having the clutch set tightly, it stripped 100 metres of braid before I eventually started coaxing it towards the boat. It was an epic fight that I’ll never forget,” added Julian, who used 30lb Fox Horizon braid and a 175lb wire trace to a size 10/0 hook.


Elusive 40lb common taken on freelined bait

Freelining mixers proved devastatingly simple for Richard Earl who used the tactic to bank his third surface-caught 40lb carp.

At 46lb 4oz, the ‘Upfront Common’ from Kingfisher Lake at Wintons Fishery in West Sussex provided the Gloucestershire rod with a new personal best by 4lb.

The 54-year-old business development manager explained: “A mobile stalking approach combined with good fieldcraft played an important part in this capture, as I spent the first day trying to get a take from the large and very wary carp without any luck.

“On day two, tweaks to my rig and bait, combined with a greatly reduced baiting of swims, definitely improved my chances of a hook up. This more stealthy approach ultimately led to the downfall of this common and a new PB for me. This is my third surface-caught 40lb-plus carp, having caught two others from different UK venues.

“Apparently this fish is known as the Upfront Common and the on-site bailiff said this is one of the largest and most sought-after carp on the complex as it only comes out once or twice a year.

“The carp in Kingfisher Lake are pressured from anglers all year round, which makes this capture all the more pleasing as it came on just my second day as a new member.”

Richard used a Fox Floater Special rod and a Shimano Baitrunner spooled with 12lb line straight through to the hair-rigged mixer.


3lb roach from Bury Hill Fisheries

THE capture of a 3lb roach at one of the country’s most popular day-ticket  fisheries has further proved the record-breaking potential of UK ‘commercials’.

Bury Hill Fisheries in Dorking, Surrey, is well-known for producing huge catches of tench, bream and carp as well as offering some of the finest zander fishing in the UK. But now, specimen roach anglers will be raring to target the 20-peg Bonds Lake following the capture of Lucjan Sliwa’s fish that measured 15 inches in length.

He also banked 12 fish over the 1lb mark, several over 2lb and admitted to losing a specimen ‘well over 3lb’ when he fished the pole and corn in the margins.

This isn’t the first time that Lucjan has plundered the Bury Hill roach stocks as he’s banked fish over 2lb during two previous visits and believes that he has only just scratched the surface of the venue’s potential.

“Everyone fishes this lake for carp, but my catches prove how many big roach there are in here,” he told Angling Times.

“When I started catching big roach the carp started to move in so I beefed-up my elastic and tackle.

This meant that I began to lose some of the silverfish and unfortunately this is what happened when the largest roach I’d ever seen bumped off the hook.

Venue owner David de Vere was aware that the venue held fish up to 2lb, but has been ‘blown away’ by the recent capture and has since received other reports of anglers catching 3lb roach.

“We haven’t netted this lake for a couple of years, so I had no idea that the fish were getting this big. They must really be packing on the weight with all of the bait put in by anglers targeting the large numbers of carp,” said David.

“I also heard that another angler also had a fish over 3lb a couple of weeks ago and there’s no doubt in my mind that these are genuine roach. I would love more specimen anglers to come down and have a go for them.”

To find out more about the fishery call: 01306 877540 or visit: www.buryhillfisheries.co.uk


Massive Irish hauls silence the doubters

CRITICS of the Irish angling scene were silenced this week after a number of colossal catches were taken from waters across the country.

Rumours have arisen over the years to suggest sport on the Emerald Isle had been in decline but those suggestions were scorched when four fishermen shared over 450lb of bream between them during a session on a Co.Cork stillwater.

Leading the way was local guide Sidney Kennedy who used his vast knowledge of the region to put the group on a hotspot renowned for producing huge slabs. Accompanying him on the day was Pure Fishing consultant Terry Jackson, Andrew Wolsey and Derek O’Brien.

Over 20 balls of groundbait were fed into each anglers swim before simple feeder rigs baited with several red maggots were presented over the top.

Action was almost instant and by the end of the exhausting outing they had banked a trio of 10lb plus fish and at least 35 over the 7lb barrier.

“It was a real red letter day and we all agreed that we are unlikely to ever repeat this feat,” explained Terry.

“Bites came thick and fast and I managed a personal best of just under 10lb while Andrew netted a brace of doubles in consecutive casts! When everything comes together, Irish waters really can produce the goods,” he added.

Predator rods have also enjoyed rod bending action and the pick of the catches was Maciej Krajewski’s 30lb 9oz pike from the 44,000 acre Lough Corrib.

A number of specimens to 20lb fell for the homemade lure before the big fish found the offering and he said: “This was a very special fish that was made even more memorable by the fact it was caught from such a huge expanse of water.”

Further north, tench were the target of Brian Bohan who had a rigorous prebaiting campaign to thank for a breath-taking 200lb catch from a stillwater in County Leitrim.
The Irish international match angler took time out from his competitive schedule and reaped the rewards by netting fish to 6lb almost every chuck on feeder tactics.

For more details on Irish angling visit www.eu.purefishing.com/blogs/uk/terry-jackson




New personal best with 32lb common

Adam Towers caught his biggest ever common carp in the form of this 32lb specimen from Denton Reservoir.

The Lincolnshire-based rod baited up with a kilo of Cambridgeshire Carp Baits Goldfish boilies over a clear spot surrounded by thick onion weed at 80 yards range.
After landing two small tench his rod screamed off for a third time and he was left in no doubt that a carp was responsible.

He said: “The fish kept trying to bury itself in the weed but I managed to keep it moving. I was delighted with the fish as there aren’t many commons in the venue.”


Grand Union Carp Are On The Feed

The Grand Union Canal at Ivinghoe is full of big carp and anglers are currently enjoying themselves this summer by tackling up on the towpath to catch specimens to 20lb. What’s more you don’t need technical big carp knowledge to catch them as they are falling to simple pole and waggler tactics, similar to what you would find on any commercial complex.

Carp are not often associated with canals but this delightful stretch of waterway hidden in the Bedfordshire countryside offers fishing on par with many of the nearby commercials. Luton Angling Club, who control the stretch, have undertaken numerous stockings of the species over the years including the introduction of 3000 of them a couple of years ago. Although a lot of these fish have spread out, there are still dozens to be caught, and most average around 10lb from some of the previous stockings. The stretch by Brownlow’s Bridge is one of them. Here you can fish across to the many barges that permanently moor here as this is where the carp live. Anglers often catch as many as ten in a session on a good day and they show all-year-round. However, even without the carp you can enjoy a good days fishing catching skimmers and roach, with nets easily topping double-figures by using typical canal tactics including pinkie over groundbait or bread punch. For the carp though you need to fish fairly heavy. Black hydro elastic and 0.20 (8lb) line is the kind of tackle which will stand up to these beasts, using a hook around size 12-14. The canal is relatively under-fished around here so a simple rig with a 4x12 float should be fine, fishing in around 3ft of water. Most commercial style baits work here including pellets, corn, meat and even Pepparami. Feed some offerings at the start and place your rig over the top. It may be worth feeding more than one line across the far side and work between them until you get bites. There are also bream in here so expect to get bites from those too. For the biggest carp to 20lb-plus you can target these with chod rigs and pop-up boilies, and these provide a good days fishing if you’re a specimen angler looking for a boost in confidence.

TIP: Barges or the far bank tins are key features on this canal as big carp tend to hug them, Fish tight to these features using strong tackle.

Grand Union Canal, Invinghoe
Location: Grand Union Canal, Ivinghoe, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 9DY
Contact: Steve Sharp Luton AC club Press Officer, 07704 462635 www.lutonanglingclub.co.uk
Prices: £5 per day on the bank £3 concessions £2 juniors, Luton AC, some sections are members only
Rules: Two rods maximum, night fishing for members only, no touching barges with poles or bait


Trio of carp to over 30lb from thick weed

Many anglers find fishing in thick weed a daunting experience, but Matt Eaton reaped the rewards of casting straight in to the green stuff with a three fish catch during a 48 hour session on a tough southern stillwater.

The biggest of his trio of specimens was this 35lb 4oz mirror and this was backed up with other fish of 28lb 8oz and 24lb 12oz.

All of the Greys and Chub Academy member’s carp fell to Mainline Baits Cell boilies, and he told Angling Times: “This lake is very weedy with 50 per cent of the surface covered in it. Wherever I fish on the venue it is either up against, in among or over the weed so the fishing is very demanding.”


Resting swim pays off with five thirties

Darren Belton proved how important resting your swim can be when he took a six fish haul, including five thirties, from a tricky southern park lake.

The Kent-based Chub Academy member was targeting a clear area in among the weed at 50 yards but only cast out his rods between the hours of 6pm and 11am.

On arrival at the lake he baited the feature with 5kg of 20mm Mainline Baits Hybrid boilies and although he could see fish in the area he sat on his hands and waited until the evening to cast out his Clockwork Orange pop-up hookbait.

“The fish continued to show but it wasn’t until 4am that I had the first take,” Darren told Angling Times. “The fish promptly fell off in the weed, but half an hour later my other rod was away resulting in a pretty 26lb mirror. Another of the same size followed before I reeled in and topped up the spots for the following night.”

Once again, he had to wait until 4am for the action to start. “I had a fast take that proved to be the start of the maddest few hours I have ever experienced. After a tense battle, a mint 38lb 10oz mirror was having its photo taken. The rod had only been back out an hour when it was away again – this time a 33lb 10oz mirror the culprit. As I slipped it back the other rod was away and a hard fight ensued with the fish weeding me up several times. I eventually get it in the net and on the scales it went 33lb exactly. Three thirties in three hours – unbelievable!”

The manic spell was rounded off with a chunky 31lb 8oz mirror before he went through the baiting and swim resting procedure ready for the next night.

“Like the past two mornings I found myself connected to a hard fighting carp at 4am which turned out to be a stunning fish of 36lb 10oz. A 29lb 14oz mirror then concluded the real red letter session that I certainly won’t be forgetting in a hurry.”

Darren mounted his hookbaits on KD rigs tied with a Rig Marole Skinful hooklink and a size 6 ESP hook.


Huge rudd highlight of Cup holder's career

Gareth Goldson described the moment that this 3lb 3oz rudd from a Fenland river slid over the net as ‘the highlight of my angling career.’

After spending four years in pursuit of a specimen over the magical 3lb-barrier, the reigning Drennan Cup champion finally struck gold when the fish fell for a piece of a floatfished breadcrust.

Having walked several miles without any success, Gareth came close to heading home but convinced himself to persevere for longer, heading to an area where he had spotted fish cruising earlier.

It didn’t take long to get the all-important bite but the moment he had dreamt of almost ended in disaster.

“I played the fish carefully and just as it came to the net it tangled up around some lilies,” said the Hardy and Greys-backed rod. “I thought I’d lost it but thankfully, the fish came free. It is without a doubt my most memorable catch to date.”

 


Stiff rig with a twist fools a forty

Hinged-stiff rigs are generally regarded as a pop-up presentation, but Neill Stephen used it in conjunction with a bottom bait to fool this 41lb 10oz mirror from a southern syndicate water.

The London-based former Drennan Cup champion baited a clean gulley close to where he’d seen fish showing with around 5kg of Essential Baits Shellfish B5 boilies.

The mirror, which beats his previous pb of 40lb 4oz, then picked up his snowman style hookbait which consisted of a 20mm boilie tipped with a small 10mm pop-up.

“Everyone thinks stiff-hinged rigs only work with buoyant baits, but the curved hook section is just as good at hooking fish when used with a bottom bait. Once it goes in the carp’s mouth it rarely comes out,” he said.

Neill tied his rig with ESP Stiff Rig Bristle Filament and a size 5 ESP Stiff Rigger hook.


Record numbers flock to try out angling in National Fishing Month

Organisers of National Fishing Month have announced this year’s event is on course to attract a record breaking number of participants.

The nationwide scheme has been responsible for attracting hundreds of thousands of people into the sport since its creation 20-years-ago, with newcomers being invited to take part in taster sessions across the country.

This year’s effort – which began on July 19 and is set to run until August 26 – will see over 300 different tuition days held at club and commercial waters, with high turnouts having been recorded at the first batch of events.

Officials are confident the positive trend will continue in the coming weeks and fully expect to beat the figures racked up in 2012 when over 14,000 people enjoyed their first angling experience.

Scheme coordinator Naidre Werner has been responsible for arranging the record breaking recruitment drive and she told Angling Times: “The weather has been a blessing this year and we expect to exceed our target of 15,000 participants.

“Since we started NFM two decades ago, we have helped bring over 275,000 people into the sport, proving the importance of staging such events.”

Angel of the North Lakes owner Ann Adlington has already staged a series of open days to celebrate NFM at the County Durham fishery and is adamant it is a vital part of promoting the sport.

“Fishing has never been so popular and that is thanks to schemes like National Fishing Month. I’ve been inundated with requests for coaching in recent weeks and it’s great to see,” explained Ann.

Thousands of places are still available on a vast array of coaching days and you can find out more about what is happening in your local area by visiting www.nationalfishingmonth.com


Longford Fishery in hot summer form

Much work has been undertaken at Longford fishery in the past year including numerous re-stockings and hours of bank work by the fishery’s management, who are keen to put the venue up there with some of the best in the country. Thanks to this the fishing has been boosted and currently nets to 150lb are consistently being caught on a number of the venues waters, most of which have been designed with pole anglers in mind.

Despite being a commercial complex consisting of no less than nine lakes, the Ashbourne venue is as scenic and peaceful as any river bank or natural water you will find. One of the best lakes on the complex right now is Lilly Lake. This lake has seven islands, providing pole anglers with something to target when fishing at around 14-16m. Nets over 50lb are currently the norm on here with carp the predominant species. These average around 5lb and can be caught on a variety of methods fishing in the margins or tight to the islands. Paste is an excellent bait here. Fish it in the margins or at the bottom of the near shelf for instant bites but other common baits work well such as pellets, meat and corn too. When fishing tight to the islands, feed small amounts continuously via a kinder pot or catapult to keep bites coming. There are also plenty of silverfish in this lake which can be caught in one a chuck action using maggots from anywhere in your swim.

The Main Lake is for day-ticket anglers only and holds a good mix of stock at high density making it ideal for beginners or those looking for easy fishing. There are also specimen carp in here to 30lb but most enjoy fishing for the early doubles using a waggler or pole in the margins on paste or corn or off the surface with biscuits or floating pellets. This would be a good lake to catch your PB carp.

Carwood Lake is similar to Lilly except the carp average anything between 5-10lb. Nets to 200lb have been taken on here and there are also barbel to 4lb now being caught in the margins on dead maggots, meat or paste on the pole. The margins tend to hold the bigger carp while its two islands hold smaller fish tight to them. If you want a top weight, this is the lake to head to.

TIP: When fishing in shallow water tight to and island, try using a heavy bristled pole float instead of a small 4 x 10 float or even small dibbers as it will anchor your bait to the bottom and stop it being moved by swirling carp.

Prices: £7 a day £4 for an extra rod, concessions £6 a day
Contact: 07917 824188, www.longfordfishery.com
Location: Longford Fishery, Long Lane, Longford, Derbyshire, DE6 3DF
Facilities: Toilets, café open at weekends
Rules: Barbless only, all fish to be landed, no carp sacks


37lb 4oz best of seven on Farriers Lake

With  the Carp Society’s Farriers Lake fishing fairly slowly over recent weeks, Duncan Arrandale was delighted to take a seven fish haul from the venue with this 37lb 4oz common the highlight.

The 39-year-old Worcestershire-based Wychwood and Mistral Baits consultant arrived just as it was getting dark and spotted a couple of fish head and shouldering in a quiet corner of the lake.

He then wasted no time underarming two i40 pop-up hookbaits and four-bait stringers to a small clearing in the weed 20 yards from the bank which he followed up with a couple of handfuls of mixed 15mm and 20mm i40 and 4Season boilies.

“By eight o’clock the following morning I had landed four fish,” said Duncan. “I topped up the spot with bait after each bite and gradually increased the amount of bait that I introduced each time.

“The lake had been fishing particularly poorly and I was really pleased to top the 7 fish catch with an upper thirty on my first visit to the lake for several months.”

Duncan’s successful presentation consisted of a hinged-stiff rig tied with an ACE Camo Core boom section and a Korda Mouthtrap hook section attached to a size 6 Fox Arma Point SSSP hook.


Agency: Help save our fish

Anglers and fishery owners are being called on to help protect the nation’s stocks as we enter the most dangerous time of year for both running and stillwater venues.

Some of the biggest figures in fisheries management have this week published their expert advice to prevent fatalities as the hot, dry weather continues.

After carrying out numerous fish rescue operations at venues suffering from low oxygen levels caused by dropping water levels and decreased flows, Environment Agency chiefs have combined with leading scientists to offer advice for both anglers and fishery owners alike.

“This is the time when fish stocks are at their most vulnerable and those who stick their heads in the sand are asking for trouble,” said leading fisheries management consultant Dr Bruno Broughton.

“Many summer fish kills are avoidable with proper planning and rapid action.”

Environment Agency chiefs are not only urging fishery managers to act now but are also calling for anglers to be vigilant and keep an eye out for the tell-tale signs of fish in danger.

“The current warm and dry weather is affecting most of the country and it’s not just commercial fisheries that need to take precaution,” said an EA spokesperson.

The 2013 ‘Summer Advice for Fishery Owners’ and other information on how to protect fish stocks can be downloaded from the EA website at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
**If you see any fish in distress call the National Incident Hotline on: 0800 807060**

**KEEPING FISH STOCKS HEALTHY**

Stillwaters:
• Restrict bait and groundbait use to avoid unnecessary pressure on water quality.
• Keep a close eye on water levels and visit the water early in the morning when dissolved oxygen levels are at their lowest.
• Minimise the use of keepnets. If a match is planned consider using multiple weigh-ins to reduce stress.
• Avoid stocking or moving any fish.

Rivers:
• Think carefully before cutting weed as it helps hold up water levels and avoids disturbing silt.
• Avoid the use of keepnets in hot temperatures when water levels are low.
• Bird predation can be a problem when water levels are low so maintain as much rough and overhanging marginal cover as possible.
• If you’re introducing fish consider low stocking densities.


Blue sharks on a seagull!

An imitation seagull has accounted for the capture of a record-breaking haul of huge sharks.

Fly fishing fanatic Allan Shephard and three of his friends did battle with no less than 29 blues to over 120lb while fishing their unconventional bait during a trip out of Milford Haven on the Welsh coast aboard Andrew Alsop’s White Water II.

The group worked the predators up into a frenzy by expertly working their array of home-made flies, that ranged from imitation bait fish such as mackerel, all the way through to a life size seagull that accounted for one of the largest fish.

The catch is the biggest ever of fly-caught sharks taken during a day and the party, completed by Berkshire-based rod Duncan Goldsmith, Toby Coe from Devon and Wiltshire’s Martyn Wright, admitted that they were left exhausted after the manic session.
“Catching shark like this is incredible. You couldn’t be more in touch with the fish because the centre pin reels have no gearing to help aid the fight,” said Allan, brands and marketing manager for Farlows Sportfish Group. “We don’t use harnesses, plus the 70lb core line that we use has very little stretch - to say it’s a hell of a battle is an understatement.

“The sharks take seagulls off the top and that’s exactly why we used this fly as it imitates a bird bobbing around on the surface. It’s amazing to see the fish coming up for it.”
Andrew Alsop is the most successful shark skipper in the UK and usually targets the predators with fish baits attached to floats made from empty soft drink bottles.

“Having never personally targeted blue sharks with flies, I jumped at the chance to try my hand at it,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I fished for sharks myself, but how could I refuse after seeing these boys do battle on fly gear all day.

“I was amazed at how sensitive these fish can be as we could actually feel them mouthing the fly and checking it out before they properly took the bait. When that happened we just had to hold on for dear life!” he added.