Was on my way to the shop mid morning yesterday and thought I'd have a quick flick down at my usual spot on the river. Well lucky I did becuase it turned out to be one of the best little sessions in a long time. Was 11am and fairly warm but the fish were happy to come on the bite and smash the artificials! Had only been casting into the snags for 5 minutes when the rod buckled over and the 8lb braid was screaming off the little reel! Was alot of back and forth and some good little runs before i saw colour and realised i was onto a small soapy which ended up going 38cm's. Was absolutely stoked to get a soapy in the local river and a first on a SP too.

Thought the morning couldnt get any better considering it was a spur of the moment decision to have a quick flick on the way to the shops and only had the bare necessities with me. Was only a few casts later and still using the exact same plastic when all hell broke loose! Some serious muscle was giving my bream combo a good workout and putting me to the test. Having to play the fish alot as I wasnt gaining any ground and a few close moments dodging the snags and I couldnt believe my eyes what i was seeing, an absolute horse of a black bream! Absolutely smashed my previous pb and measured 41cm's, I had finally broken the magical 40 mark! Didnt have any scales on me, but would have been every bit of a kilo as it was a super fat fish and thick throughout. I took a few quick pics and then spent the next 5mins swimming the fish to the watch it swim of strong to fight another day.

Cheers Sam.