River roach stunner landed

Kevin Palmer had a change of tactics to thank for his biggest-ever river roach of
2lb 11oz. 

He was floatfishing the River Test for grayling, but then switched his attention to the river’s redfins.

These fish are notoriously wary, but the 37-year-old from Swindon used his experience of fishing running water to carefully select a likely-looking swim and swapped his float tackle for a maggot feeder. 

His single red maggot on a size 18 hook to a 2lb hooklink was cast into an area of steadily flowing water and Kevin’s
all-important bite came in the last hour of daylight.

“As soon as I struck I knew this fish was something special,” Kevin told Angling Times.

“I just couldn’t help letting out a huge yelp of joy when I finally guided her over the frame of the landing net.”