After a quiet summer I’ve finally managed to get back on the riverbank and land a few fish.

Since the beginning of November I’ve been piking on Middle Trent. First cast I had a low double pike on a smelt followed by a jack of about 6lb. As the light faded the pike rods were put away and the quivertip was set up  - but not before introducing some mashed bread flavoured with Sonubaits Monster Crab Liquid flavour. Within an hour I’d had a brace of 4lb chub, both on flake with Monster Crab flavour squirted onto it.

The following day I had a meeting in Shrewsbury so took the opportunity to grab a couple of hours on a very wild stretch of the Severn where I’ve seen more otters than anglers in my last few trips. Monster Crab mash was introduced into five swims but only one swim produced a bite – the culprit being a chub just shy of 4lb.

On Sunday, after a bonfire night party, I was back on the Trent and this time I thickened the mashed bread with Sonubaits Supercrush Green as the river was rising after heavy rain and I wanted to get the bait down on the deck and add a bit of attraction.

Normally I like to rove when chubbing but the torrential rain made the option of sitting in one swim under a brolly irresistible! After about an hour I missed a fast take that nearly took the rod off the rest – at least I knew there was something prepared to feed in the swim. An hour later I had a much gentler bite and at first I thought I’d hooked a good chub but it stayed deep and was reluctant to come upstream. It then moved into the main current and it was clear it wasn’t a chub! At first I thought I’d hooked another carp but this fish was fighting much harder and staying on the bottom.

It kept tearing off on 10 yard runs and I'd gradually pump it back to the slacker water in front of me before it would shoot off again. At no point did I fear the 6lb Korum line wasn’t up to the task, as with a properly adjusted clutch it’s almost impossible for a fish to break it on a straight pull - the only problem being if the fish gets into a snag. Thankfully in my experience carp and barbel are strictly second best to chub in their ability to find snags and after about 8 minutes it finally rolled on the surface and shortly after I was able to squeeze a good sized barbel into my pan net at the first attempt.

At 11lb 3oz it equalled my best from the Trent and was a fine reward for going out in weather more suited to ducks.