Chocolate river no problem for monster chub!

FLOODWATER has halted fishing on many rivers across the country but anglers targeting southern waterways are currently enjoying sport from a glut of specimen fish.

Hampshire specialist Simon Daley was one of them and he found success in pursuit of chub on the Dorset Stour with the capture of a 7lb 7oz giant.

The big-fish hunter, who made headlines a fortnight ago with a superb 16lb 13oz barbel, had intended to trot maggots for his quarry but a rapidly rising river forced a change of tactics.

He said: “The river was bank high and chocolate in colour, so trotting was out of the question.

“Instead I decided to fish the slacks with a strong-smelling paste hair-rigged to a size 8 hook, 8lb mainline and my favourite Drennan 1.25tc rod.”

Early in the session Simon thought his chance was gone when he missed a bite but a few taps on the tip five minutes before packing up was enough to warrant a strike.

He added: “I connected with a heavy fish and had to play it hard to keep it away from the snags.

“I was shocked when it surfaced – the length and girth was immense.

“I’m sure come February or March it’ll be a proper monster.”