“A WELCOME RELIEF FROM THE NAPPIES”

Richard Nickels – 12lb 12oz barbel

“I HADN’T barbel fished for 10 years, but I still had all the kit so I headed to a stretch of the middle Trent for a couple of hours to temporarily escape the duties of a new father.

“My swim featured an overhanging tree so I lowered down a Dynamite Baits Source boilie with a PVA bag of boilies and pellets before feeding a handful of hempseed over the top. Thirty minutes later the rod took off, and I managed to guide the fish towards the net fairly quickly.

“I was happy to get away from the nappies at home, and this 12lb 12oz barbel was a bonus!” Richard wins a year’s membership to The Barbel Society for his fish.

Richard’s top tip: Short late-evening sessions can be all you need to catch big barbel.