Derwent Perch. A Brilliant New Personal Best (or is that 'Beast'?)
Went for my first session of the season for Perch today
I decided to try a new area having arrived at about 11.30 am, and by about 3.30pm with not a sniff on either float fished lob or on a ledgered offering, began to wonder whether my choice of swim had been such a great idea
Around 4.15-ish, I was on the 'phone to a mate explaining that I'd be heading home soon, when I noticed my (specially-adapted) swing-tip was moving just a bit more than usual (previously caused by the fluctuating current). Suddenly it swung up just that bit more positively, before the alarm could register, so I struck into it and felt the steady thumping fight of a successfully hooked perch.
Confident that what I was playing would be an average 3lb-ish Derwent specimen, I was staggered when I eventually slipped my net under what I could only describe as a fish of a lifetime...a veritable "dinner plate" of stripey
Whilst unhooking this beautiful, fin-perfect 'monster' and putting it in the weigh sling, I estimated that looking from its underbelly it must measure at least 4 inches across its girth!!
Having weighed it (using pretty accurate Fox Stalker digi scales) not just once, but twice in sheer disbelief.... I recorded an unbelievable 4lb 10 oz
That was it! I (self) photographed it several times, returned it safely and packed everything up to go home. Driving all the way with a stupid, but self-satisfied grin on my face!!
Cheers
Roger