WANTED! £100 reward for barbel catches!

MEMBERS of an angling club are being offered the chance to claim a £100 reward for catching a 3lb-plus barbel from the Great Ouse.

The cash incentive has been created by the committee at Buckinghamshire’s Olney and Clifton Fishing Association to encourage more people to go fishing and help establish a foothold for the species in the river around Olney.

The club’s match secretary and head bailiff, Ian Barnes, said:

“15 years ago barbel were common on the Great Ouse, but numbers have since dwindled.

“The EA has done a fantastic job reintroducing barbel into the river over the last few years and as a result, catches are now being recorded both upstream and downstream of our stretch at Olney.

“Barbel are the missing piece of the puzzle for our club, so hopefully this incentive will draw in a few more people.”

Members who successfully catch a 3lb-plus barbel can submit their claim by contacting Ian on 07761384822. An annual membership for OCFA costs just £25 from www.olneycliftonfishing.co.uk

15 years ago barbel were common on the Great Ouse, but numbers have since dwindled