Angler Who ‘Forgot How to Fish’ takes big carp haul

A man who lost all his fishing memories 15 years ago has just returned from the trip of a lifetime – landing three new bests in a week topped by a mirror carp of 56lb 12oz.

After having operations on bowel cancer in 2004, John Barter suffered a hypoxia attack on the brain which resulted in a large part of his memory being lost. 

His fishing experiences were among these but, undeterred, John decided to start all over again and has since enjoyed some spectacular results.

“My mates used to say I was a good angler, but I had to ask them what I did with rigs and bait,” he revealed. “After 30 operations and 10 years of recovery I started fishing again in 2015.

“So far I have had great success – catching tench to 11lb 3oz, a 220lb arapaima, a 60lb redtail catfish and an 88lb Siamese carp.”

“Fishing has helped me from bad times to a great recovery.

“My most recent trip to Le Moulin de Graffeuil in France was especially good, and I landed a grass carp of 40lb 2oz, a common of 34lb and a huge mirror weighing 56lb 12oz – I just can’t believe my luck!”

John is a member and fundraiser for Anglers Against Cancer, and has run an annual fishing event for the last five years to contribute towards the funds to children with cancer. Over this time, a fantastic £250,000 has been raised.