Cracking Avon chub falls on the float - Gavin Barrett

“The Hampshire Avon is exceptionally low and clear at the moment, but recently I managed to find a deep far-bank run which I could trot a stick float down with hemp and caster.

“In a few hours I’d caught a few dace and a 3lb chub, but I’d run out of bait. I decided instead to just have a couple of runs down without feeding and just fish double caster on the hook.

“Halfway down the swim the float buried and I stuck into a solid weight that tried its best to get under the far bank.

“Luckily it came back and on to the surface – giving me an opportunity to guide it over a mid-river weedbed.

“After a few last-minute lunges I was able to scoop her up.”

Gavin Barrett – 6lb 11oz chub