12-MONTH OBSESSION NOW A 40lb REALITY

A FISH Ali Can had “obsessed about for over a year” slipped up for the first time at over 40lb.

The mirror, known as April, came out at its top weight from a lowstock Northamptonshire stillwater.

Fishing to two hard areas in a big patch of silt, Ali had two 29lb fish during the first two nights.

He said: “The lake looked so good for another bite I got the pass to do a third night, and again the area was baited lightly ready for the morning feeding spell.”

Despite good conditions, Ali thought his chance had passed, and was about to recast one rod at 11am when the crucial bite came.

“I walked to the front of the swim to gauge where I needed to cast and suddenly the right-hand rod absolutely tore off,” he said.

“I picked up the rod and found myself attached to a rather angry carp that was trying to make it to the bottom of a bay some 90 yards to my left.”

Donning waders, Ali managed to get closer to the fish before it turned back and continued to fight hard. “A few minutes later it broke surface and rolled, and I had no doubt it was one of the big mirrors.

“A couple of minutes later she was safely in the net. In a bit of a daze I staked the net in the margins, rolled her over and took a quick snap for my mate, just to confirm it was her.

“He replied: ‘Yes, it’s her’. At 40lb 2oz and her first time over 40lb, a fish that I’d obsessed about for over a year was finally mine!”

Ali fished CC Moore tiger nuts over particles.