Quality roach from crystal clear water - Dean Creasey

“A mate and I were riding our bikes along the River Stour in Canterbury when we spotted a shoal of seven small chub.

'“Among them, though, were 10 roach that all looked to be around 1lb. In the clear water I was able to single out the biggest fish as it drifted at the back of the shoal.

“Without hesitation, I nicked two red maggots on to a size 14 barbless hook and pinched a split shot on to my 6lb mainline, before flicking it out to the mark.

“Almost instantly I watched my target fish suck in the maggots. After making several mad dashes it rolled on the surface and I was able to slip it over the net cord.

“We were blown away by how big it was and knew it couldn’t be far off 2lb, which the scales later confirmed, spinning to 1lb 15oz.”

Dean Creasey with his near 2lb river roach