Angler's catch of the day (From Stroud News and Journal)

Angler's catch of the day

IT should have been just a routine autumn Monday fishing morning for angling fanatic David Longbotham.

But instead he found something rather large and fishy lurking at the bottom of the canal.

Pulling at the end of his fishing rod wasn't just a tiny tiddler or an old tin can or wellington boot but possibly one of the largest ever pikes caught on the Ryeford canal near Stonehouse.

Mr Longbotham from Selsley had landed a massive 221b whopper.

Like a scene from the hit movie Jaws the angry pike put up a tremendous fight but David's fishing acumen won the day.

"I knew it was a big fish the moment I had it on my line. It was struggling and broke my net when I eventually landed it.

"I have never seen one or caught a pike that big before, it was unbelievable," admitted Mr Longbotham.

Sadly the fish from the deep could not be returned to its hunting ground after it swallowed the hook.

With adrenaline still pumping Mr Longbotham took his catch to the local butchers at King's Stanley for the official weigh-in.

"Looking at it I would say the pike is close to 20 years old and could be one of the oldest and biggest in the canal.

It would have thrived in the warm waters and given those conditions a pike like that could have a life span of 50 years."

Mr Longbotham was back out fishing this week aiming to land his next monster from the deep.