CHRISTOPHER FULLER landed this wonderful 30 lb pike while fly fishing for trout just before the UK lockdown.
The 40-year-old, from nearby Midsomer Norton, tackled at Somerset’s Chew Valley Lake.
Christopher was using an orange booby fly on a size 10 hook with quick sinking line and a 12 lb leader. He hooked the giant croc a few feet from the shore on the Woodford Bank.
Chris explained: “I was actually using a two fly rig at depth and had wound in, but I was taking a bit of time lifting the flies from the water in case a trout had followed them in.
“I had lifted out the first fly and was just about to lift the second when the pike struck although I think it had been lurking near the edge rather than following.
“It didn’t run far and stayed circling quite deep for 10-15 minutes before I managed to get it in – luckily there were a couple of other anglers to help as it would hardly fit in my net.
“It was a wonderful fish and my biggest freshwater specimen by a long way, easily topping my 11 lb 8 oz trout.
“I’ve caught quite a few jacks on the fly at Chew but would never have expected anything this size,” added Chris, who weighed and carefully released the specimen.
Chew has since shut temporarily because of the coronavirus outbreak.
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