Large Avon roach after heavy rain - Mark Everard

“Heavy rain had caused the Bristol Avon to rise, but that didn’t stop me from visiting. Strong gusts from a south-westerly wind were blowing leaves from the trees into the river, although they didn’t give me too much trouble in the near-bank slack I’d baited with liquidised bread. 

“After pinching a piece of flake on to a size 12 hook, I trotted the bait through the swim and watched as the float buried near the end of the run. I lifted the rod and set the hook into a strong fish that I hoped was a roach. 

“Following a nervy scrap under the tip I finally saw my prize and slipped my net under what was clearly a huge roach for the Bristol Avon.”

Mark Everard’s 2lb 2oz Bristol Avon roach