2lb roach on fine float gear

TO catch a 2lb roach from a river is a special achievement, which is why Mike Townsend had every reason to smile when he struck gold with this immaculate fish.

The specialist from Doncaster, South Yorks, was tackling a tiny northern river with floatfished casters on a size 20 hook in order to tempt its finicky roach population.

“I saw the fish in the crystalclear water and managed to get my bait in front of it without smaller roach or chub getting to it first.

“It took about 40 minutes, but perseverance paid off,” he said.