Monster Derwent barbel strikes within 15 minutes - Martin Allen

“Arriving at the River Derwent for 5pm, I began trickling in some 6mm pellets, chopped Vortex Baits C.K.O barrels and lumps of matching paste to try and gain the barbel’s confidence. 

“Within 15 minutes of casting in my feeder rig something big picked up my paste-wrapped hookbait and ran straight into a far-bank snag.

“I managed to move her out and into the middle of the river, and following another epic scrap I eventually netted her, with my heart in my mouth. I couldn’t believe the size of the fish. She weighed in at 15lb 1oz – a new Derwent PB!” 

Martin Allen’s 15lb 1oz Derwent barbel