BARBEL RUNS RECORD CLOSE
This 20lb 9oz Thames fish could take the crown soon
Rob Phillips, 20lb 9oz barbel, River Thames
THE Thames barbel record fell for the second time in almost as many months when, just before the closed season kicked in, Rob Phillips banked a fish of 20lb 9oz that came within a whisker of the British best.
The giant specimen fell for a lump of garlic-flavoured luncheon meat and was taken alongside another fish of 14lb 11oz in a memorable session for Rob. He said:“I was a relatively young man when I first started barbel fishing the Thames! “I must have done 40 or 50 nights a season ever since, and finally it’s all come good! That’s the beauty of this amazing river – you just don’t know what to expect!”