15lb 8oz barbel from River Nene in short evening session

This 15lb 8oz barbel was caught by Ivan Tee during a short evening session on the River Nene.

The Yaxley, Peterborough-based pensioner fished a piece of paste moulded around two 12mm halibut pellets which he cast to a spot mid-river.

Last year the 74-year-old recorded his previous best of 15lb 1oz from the same stretch and this time he baited it with pellets and hemp before resting the swim while tackling up. The move paid off with a rod-wrenching bite two hours in to the session.

“The fish gave an unbelievable fight and tried to go round a bend in the river, getting stuck on the bottom three times.  I had to give it slack line and thankfully it was still on and I eventually managed to get it back up towards me,” said Ivan, who fished 10lb mainline, a 10lb hooklink and a size 8 hook.

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