3lb 3oz roach tops hants avon match

A fundraising match on the Hampshire Avon has seen no fewer than SIX roach over 2lb landed topped by a 3lb 3oz beauty. 

The friendly contest, which takes place every year to help raise funds for the Avon Roach Project, was fished in perfect conditions by 77 anglers.

And while this year hundreds of pristine roach found their way into nets, it was Paul Gurton’s float and maggot-tempted 3lb 3oz fish which stole the show. 

He said: “It fought well in the current and once beaten was impossible for me to bring back against the flow. Fortunately a fellow angler managed to net the fish for me.

“This roach is by far the highlight of my fishing career and came during my quest for a 2lb-plus fish – as my previous PB was 1lb 12oz.”

The fundraiser was also a celebration of the ARP’s 10th year and its creator Trevor Harrop has admitted he is delighted by how much progress the scheme has made since 2009.

He said: “When we first started the fundraising events very few roach were caught but we’re now seeing huge fish landed alongside plenty of fry – which are far too young to be roach introduced via the project. 

“This proves that they’re now starting to spawn on their own, which has always been our goal.”

Did you know?

More than £5,000 was raised for the Avon Roach Project during the fundraiser through the sale of match entry fees, a tackle auction and raffle.