Long journey to hit roach jackpot

CONDITIONS are ideal for a giant Stillwater roach according to James Gardner, who slipped his net under this 2lb 8oz example during his latest outing.

The East-Sussex-based rod made the long journey from his home to a Norfolk Stillwater which he knew held a substantial head of big roach and hit the jackpot when he received a take half-way through the session.

It fell to a standard helicopter rig, with 3lb line and two maggots nicked onto a size 16 hook.

James told Angling Times:

“I’m well pleased with the catch but my wife less-so, as when I showed her a picture of it, she told me it looked like a sprat!”