TWO-HOUR DRIVE REWARDED WITH A 2LB 11OZ AVON ROACH

A TWO-hour drive to the Hampshire Avon was ‘more than worth it’ according to Roy Jones who banked a 2lb 11oz roach during his latest visit.

The Hertford-based artist float-fished maggots into an area of slack of water and enjoyed sport from small roach, dace and chublets throughout the day but struck into something much bigger near the end of the session.

Roy said: “I knew straight away that it was a big roach and it was panic stations when it approached the net and I saw just how big it was!”

2lb 11oz of prime Hampshire Avon roach for Roy Jones

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.”