Tring-based Leighton targets the Great Ouse in Buckinghamshire for his chub fishing having caught fish of 6lb 10oz, 6lb 14oz and 6lb 7oz from the waterway since the start of winter - all of which fell for the same tactics and a secret ‘Ouse Mix’ paste.
As well as being an impressive specimen, the big chub is also testament to Leighton’s determination to get out on the bank, the specimen hunter having to contend with a broken foot!
“Despite having a broken bone in my foot I wasn’t going to miss out on some fishing, so I hobbled up the Great Ouse one evening looking for a likely spot to try when a large swirl caught my eye,” Leighton told Total Coarse Fishing. “I caught a 6lb 8oz chub from the exact same spot last year which was also chasing fry, so that was where I started to fish.”
Introducing around 25 20mm balls of his paste into the swim, Leighton gave the fish half-an-hour to gain confidence before making his first cast. A little under 15minutes later and quiver tip indicated a fish had fallen for his presentation of paste wrapped around two small, hairrigged cork balls and the fight was on.
“It just refused to budge at first,” continued Leighton. “I just had to haul as hard as I could and bundle it into the net in the end. On the bank it was short but very broad and fat.”
Although large, the chub isn’t the biggest Leighton’s had from the river, his personal best from the waterway standing at 8lb 1oz caught at the end of last season.
Leighton beat his latest chub using a Nash Fang Uni Hook tied directly to 6lb mainline and legered using four swan shot on a link leger.
