Huge perch from Devon holiday park

Further proof that huge perch can turn up in the most unlikely spots was provided by Michael Barnshaw this week when he took a series of big fish, including a new personal best of 4lb 7oz, from a holiday park.

The Berkshire-based angler has been a regular visitor to Devon’s Clovelly Lakes for over two decades but has only been on the trail of a large perch since they were stocked in the venue a couple of years ago.

Having landed a 4lb 1oz fish on a previous visit, he was well aware of the specimen potential of the complex and set out on a short morning session to try and increase his pb again.

Baiting a deep marginal spot with groundbait, chopped worms and dead maggots he presented a float setup with a large lobworm hookbait over the top.

Several stripeys over the 2lb-mark were quickly landed before he came agonisingly close to achieving his goal with a 3lb 15oz perch.

The next cast saw the float disappear again and within moments of setting the hook he had an inkling he was attached to a special fish. “It put a proper bend in the rod,” he said.
“It only took a few minutes to land but as soon as I saw the frame of it my net I knew I’d broken my personal best,” added Michael, who used 6lb mainline, an 8g Drennan loafer float and a size 8 wide gape hook.

Despite its large head of big perch, the venue has been largely neglected by serious specimen anglers and Michael told Angling Times: “The potential of Clovelly Lakes and several other holiday parks across the country is incredible. Along with the huge predators it also has double figure bream, 2lb-plus roach and big tench.”

For more details on the fishery visit www.clovellylakes.co.uk