First double Zander from River Severn

Rugby player Philip Leibbrandt hadn't planned a day after zander, pike were his quarry on Tuesday 11th October, the temperature was unseasonally warm but a cooling South Westerly made keeping the boat in order a bit of fun.
A slow trip upriver had produced little with the deeper water seemingly devoid of fish. As the depth shallowed up fish appeared as if by magic on the echo sounder. They were in a stretch of river where there are some ridiculous snags in the river but they do hold fish. The trick is to get as near to the snags without catching them. Saying that Phil and his dad Chris had done quite well, there best snags so far are a 20lb anchor, oh and a salmon net!

Early afternoon, and a trip back over the snags was in order, Phil shallowed the depth of his float off to some 7 feet. Just after 2.30 pn a savage take on a small perch. Line peeled off and with the anchor firm he struck into a good fish. After a great fight, they really do fight like crazy in this river! the fish was drawn over the net, no problem until it kicked again and sped off through a hole in the net. The mice had made a meal of the mesh over the last week. A lesson here, check everything! Luckily the second attempt folded the fish into un-nibbled netting. What a sight, 10.14 of prime zander, Phil's PB and
first double to boot!See picture