Staying put pays off for big tidal barbel

BRETT Longthorne’s decision to stay in the swim he’d been struggling to catch from paid off with the capture of a new personal-best barbel weighing 17lb 6oz.

The Manchester specialist was fishing a tidal reach of the River Trent, although the first day of his trip passed with only a bream to show for his efforts.

“I was contemplating a change of swim but stuck to my guns in the end, which proved to be the right choice,”

said Brett, who used  double River Plus boilies wrapped in matching paste. 

Brett Longthorne and his new PB barbel of 17lb 6oz from the River Trent