Angling: Cas-based Catterall has lots to carp about

His carp weighed an incredible 50lb 1oz and would be regarded as a magnificent fish from any of the best carp waters around the world.

Catching one within a bus ride of home just makes it even better.

Spotting cruising fish while walking his dog and pre-baiting through the last few days of the closed season showed local knowledge, time on the bank and a gut feeling to be top of the list when targeting big fish.

Missing out on a first-day start and arriving after work the following day, both rods were cast to his baited area just past the margins.

And after only three hours, a screaming run that was about to make history, a further 20-minute heart pumping fight, and a few more taking deep breaths trying to grasp what they were seeing cradled in the net.

Successful rig was a DNA Baits Secret 7 bottom bait combined with a small pop-up presented on a wide gape size 8 to a 20lb hook-length and a 3oz lead to a safe clip.

Steve would like to thank Michael Sheridan for all his work making sure the fish was carefully handled during the weighing process and photographs before returning the amazing fish safely to the river.

Speculation over the origins of these carp is easy to fathom.

With the lower Aire Valley known for severe flooding and also running close to one of the country’s best specimen lakes stocked with the distinctive strain, it was inevitable that flood escapees would eventually become part of the river’s stock – and a challenge for those trying something different.

Hoping to relieve the pressure that will undoubtedly hit the Aire south of Leeds, and doubting the 50 can be bettered, I can give an accurate account that other lengths should not to be written off for producing another surprise.

Growing up on the banks of the Aire and being a regular trying to prove fish were back in numbers, I was asked to do a feature “A Breath Of Fresh Aire” for one of the popular angling weeklies and surprised myself and the cameras with a near 30lb of roach and hybrids from the warm water at Stourton Grange (date: September 1989).

The same day, a number of carp were spotted in steady water at the outflow from the canal, and within hours the late Kenny Kendall had banked a mirror of 16lb and backed it up with a pristine common of 12lb – both in the same session.

It was also around this time that the river was diverted and the weir removed under what is now the A1M flyover at Rothwell.

We filmed the Rivers Authority fish rescue after the drain down and, years later, Environment Agency management, who were young guys at the time, still talk of the tonnes of fish that were saved.

This included a good number of carp to low doubles.

Steve Catterall’s fish at 50-01 easily beats the UK’s previous best of 48-8 from Stratford on the Warwickshire Avon.

I still wonder how big those carp we witnessed all those years ago will be today.

And, with very few specimen lakes around at the time, just where did those carp come from?

****

Results

Leeds & District, Sykes Cup, Ulleskelf: 1, Tony Hewson 13-10; 2, Martin Thorpe 9-06; 3, Clinton Hughes 8-10.

Bradford No 1 Juniors, Raskelf: 1, Nick Michael 66-01; 2, Peter Burton 18-08; 3, Harry Sandham 14-02; 4, Sam Taylor 4-08; Tiddlers, Under-11s: 1, Harry Michael 34-01; 2, Reilly O’Hara 10-00; 3, Jasmine Jones 5-08; 4, Harry Hammer 3-00.

Bradford No 1, Committees, Raskelf: 1, Howard Foster 56-06; 2, Andy Fox 52-14; 3, Matt Foster 43-10; 4, Geoff Bass 38-08.

Birkwood Farm, Oscar’s: 1, M Baily 65-04; 2, A Rymer 65-02; 3, B Rymer 59-06.

Birkwood Farm, Oscar’s, Midweek: 1, A Rymer 60-04; 2, T Davies 37-03; 3, B Rymer 35-03.