Giant Lea barbel bites as temperatures drop

Ricky Woolfe thought his chance of a Lea barbel had gone, when the temperatures began to drop close to freezing on a recent session. His doubts were soon proved wrong, however, when his rod wrapped round with a giant 17lb specimen.

Commenting on his new PB, Ricky told Angling Times:

“Arriving at my local stretch of the River Lea, I was surprised to see the water was up with a hint of colour. I prepped the swim with half a dozen droppers, cast out my rigs and waited...

With only a dace and small gudgeon to show for my efforts and the temperature dropping to around freezing I thought the barbel weren’t going to feed but just as I was packing up the tip slammed round and I knew I was into a good one! 

I’d upped my PB to 16lb 10oz four weeks earlier but unfortunately the photos didn’t come out too well, so I was thrilled to get another chance with this stunning fish.”