THIS huge perch of 4 lb 8 oz was luckily landed by matchman Stephen Newns after it pulled the top six section of his 13 metre pole into the River Trent during the Burton-On-Trent Angling Festival.
The 55-year-old self-employed builder from Silsden, West Yorkshire, explained: “I baited up with a lot of chopped worm and fished lobworm tail on the hook.
“The perch fought so hard that the top six sections were dragged in and I had no option but to go into the water up to my waist to reach the fish with my landing net.
“I couldn’t believe the size and with six others up to 1 lb 8 oz I won my section with 11 lb 2 oz.”
Stephen went on to win the overall festival, netting £930.
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