Free Line 109 — October 2026 - Flipbook - Page 221
GRAHAM
ALEX
PAUL HANSON
STEVE
STEVENS
BENNETT
BRIGGS
I ran down to the boat in my socks and grabbed hold of the rod. Immediately
the fish surfaced three quarters of the way across the river. I could clearly
see the massive swirls from it heading downstream in the considerable flow.
The fight was epic, and all along, I was convinced that it was that big barbel
I’d been hoping for… But as it reached the shallow water near my boat and
within headtorch distance, I thought WTF – it’s a carp, and big’un too. After
a few more powerful runs, I got it under control and safely in the net. It was
so long and wide, I was sure I’d broken my Thames PB again. I joked to Nikk
on the phone that I thought I was at Frimley!
After letting my heart rate slow down and recovering with a cup of tea, I
set up the carp care, weighing equipment and camera and went to retrieve
FR E E LINE 10 7
