Mega week for big roach
Autumn is traditionally a time for big roach and this season certainly looks set to follow that pattern with a raft of huge fish falling this week.
Leading the way on a fantastic week for the species was Ryan Hayden who banked a personal best 2lb 14oz redfin from the Hampshire Avon.
Faced with low and clear conditions, the Northants-based angler decided to use a link leger rig with a big piece of breadflake on the hook.
Using a small shot allowed the bait to bounce through the swim gently and as it reached the end of the peg the tip wrapped round.
“As it got close to the net I was certain it was a small chub, but then it came up into the fast water and rose to the surface. I could not believe it when I saw it was a huge roach,” said Ryan.
“After a couple of near misses with the net it finally slid over the net. I was speechless after landing a fish of a lifetime,” he added.
Over on the Dorset Stour Stuart Andrews used identical tactics to locate a new pb roach of 2lb 5oz.
Having spotted a shoal residing under an overhanging tree, he flicked out a piece of flake and it was soon spotted by the fish.
Floatfishing has also scored well, with Alistair Ogilvie displaying the silverfish potential of the River Trent with an eye-catching 52lb 12oz haul of roach.
The Lincolnshire rod fished a stickfloat and maggots on the Dunham stretch of the famous waterway to attract a bite almost every run through. His rig was made up of 2.5lb mainline and an 0.10mm hooklink to a size 18 hook.
