RIVER OF THE YEAR HIGHLY COMMENDED

IT’S been another fantastic year of catches on the mighty River Trent but it has narrowly missed out on retaining its title.

Weekly reports have flooded in of big barbel, chub and carp, in addition to match reports of 100lb hauls of bream and substantial bags of silverfish.

Back in August Tommy Pickering said: “The Trent has never been better,” following his double-figure catch of roach and dace.

The river is most commonly known for its barbel population that has once again delighted visiting anglers. The biggest of this season, reported to Angling Times, only last month, was 17lb 2oz to George Gorst from the APG fishery.

It’s the sheer numbers of big fish that make the Trent so special, though, and back in October we revealed the spot Trent regular Ian Potts regards as the “best in the land” – after an amazing session which saw him land 20 doubles from Gunthorpe Weir.

Often overlooked are the large chub that live alongside these barbel and these fish will make more of an appearance now. This was underlined by Brett Longthorne’s 7lb 5oz Trent specimen taken last month.

As on the Thames, an increasing number of carp anglers are choosing to target the Trent and have been enjoying great success. Both mirrors and commons over the 20lb mark have been reported regularly throughout the year.