3lb perch after 50 year break from angling

After taking a 50-year break from angling, Mal Houlbrook made an impressive return to the sport when he landed this 3lb 7oz perch from Westerly Lake in York.

The 67-year-old only recently took up fishing again and had another local angler to thank for the capture of his new personal best for the species.

He said: “A chap called Sean was fishing in the next peg and he made up three rigs for me to use. I suspect if I had carried on fishing the way that I normally do then I wouldn’t have hooked this perch.

It really made my day spending time with someone who was more than willing to pass on the benefits of his experience and even give up his own time watching his float to sit and help me.  It was really appreciated and I hope to meet him again,” said Mal.

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