‘Big five’ in Thailand
Andy (centre) and his 450lb arapaima.
Former barbel record-holder Andy Harman has become the first angler to gain membership of an exclusive club at one of Thailand’s premier fisheries.
Palm Tree Lagoon, in Ratchburi province, challenges visiting anglers to catch five species over a set qualifying weight, and those who do win a free week’s fishing.
Andy, from Surrey, who broke the British barbel record in September 1993 with a 15lb 12oz fish from the Medway, clinched his membership of Palm Tree’s Big Five Club by catching a 520lb giant freshwater stingray.
This followed a 160lb chao phraya catfish, three Siamese carp over 150lb, a 450lb arapaima and a 330lb Mekong catfish.
“To catch five different species of such colossal size is a magnificent achievement, and Andy has already been back to claim his free week’s fishing,” said Palm Tree Lagoon boss Tim Webb.